It’s that time of the year again when the Carl Whitehead Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No.110 hosts our annual assembly.
It was as always, a super day which started with a procession of W.C.N’s made up of the Commander from each Lodge in the Province. The Carl Whitehead Lodge W.C.N. W.Bro. Mark Kenyon was then pleased to welcome our Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. J. Trevor Bolton and his team into the lodge where they received rapturous applause. Trevor then took the chair and opened his own lodge.
The main business was to appoint to Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank those worthy Brethren who had worked well and worthily for several years or more for both the Province and their own lodge. Receiving honours were W. Bro’s; William Richard Light, John Mark Fitzpatrick, David George Whitelaw, Keith Watson, Richard Gladstone Brooke, Trevor Hurd, Christopher John Hamer, Philip Holmes, John Gray, David Kenyon and Andew Bower Beardsell. Congratulations Brethren on your preferment.
Trevor then addressed the Lodge congratulating the newly promoted Brethren to Provincial RAMGR saying it was not the end for them but, the start of a new journey for them to promote our wonderful order.
The P.G.M. went on to announce those Brethren who, in December would be honoured by our Most Worshipful Grand Master with Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank of which there are four from this Province: W.Bro’s; Andrew Johnson, Michael Jessop, Warren Marsden and Michael Holmes. He hoped that many RAM Brethren would go with them to support and enjoy the day with them in London.
The P.G.M. spoke of the many initiatives that he and his fellow rulers had introduced to further promote this wonderful order. Ideas such as showing on Lodges Mark summons’s those who were RAM’s and, rulers and active officers of the year supporting the travelling Porphyry Stone. This due to be transferred to Hipperholme RAM Lodge on Friday 23rd January 2026 (a date for your diaries).
Trevor then closed the Annual Assembly and retired leaving Mark and his officers to continue their own work.
The Festive Board was enjoyed by both the Brethren and their better halves who had during our meeting been entertained by Beki Hastings who talked about her time in the armed forces and her singing in the original Military Wives Choir.
All RAM members are welcome to visit the Carl Whitehead Lodge at its next meeting in Otley on Saturday 9th May 2026 which will be the Installation meeting.
Andrew Johnson
Communications Manager