Saturday 5th October 2024 and the meeting of the Carl Whithead Lodge at Tapton Hall, Sheffield. This meeting is always held on the first Saturday in October and seesit host the Provincial Annual Assembly of Royal Ark Mariner. It’s the meeting when appointments to the rank of Prov.R.A.M.G.R. are made.
A very busy meeting with 52 members in the Temple together with 24 visitors, a total of 76. A busy top shelf too with R.W.Bro. J. Trevor Bolton Prov.G.M., W.Bro. Alan Oldfield Dep.Prov.G.M., W.Bro. Andrew J. Brown A.Prov.G.M. together with several Past Rulers present. Salutations too many to mention!
Once the Lodge was opened business was dealt with in the normal manner which included honoury membership being bestowed on R.W.Bro. James Bennett Truswell, R.W. Bro.James Steggles and, W.Bro. Alan Oldfield. The loud acclamation of this made it very clear the approval of all the Brethren. Four new members were balloted for and approved. They were David Hedley Todd, Ian Cotton, Howard Henry Thompson, and Ian Robert Pattinson.
Trevor was then escorted in with a fine bunch of Provincial Officers who he then put in their respective offices and, Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Assembly was opened. The main event of the day then took place which was to invest Brethren who had been promoted to Prov.R.A.M.G.R. These were:
Harold Kelsall Nunn Prince Edward No.14
Robert Shaun Keighley Portal No.127
Andrew Darren Taylor Truth No.137
Richard Beecroft Abbey No.768
John Roland Wynne Derwanz Pontefract No.878
Ian Phillip Croft Thorne No.1004
Anthony William Llewellyn The Bram Morley No.1905
Paul Richard Smith Rugby Football No.1965
Trevor then Addressed the Provincial Assembly. Thanking Past Rulers and, everyone for the support he had had received in his first year as Prov.G.M. He firstly welcomed Jim Steggles who he knew had been so looking forward to getting back to it all and, it had certainly been a long year for him. Unlike his own which had gone in a flash! Trevor went on to congratulate those who had received promotion today and said it was a new beginning for them which would help them promote our order across the Province. Going on to congratulate those who had recently received and accepted the rank of Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. These were Tony Hobson, James Newman, Edward Wilkinson, and Martin Scott. They will be invested at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen St, London on Monday 9th December. I am sure they will appreciate our support on the day.
During the meeting twenty-two of our Ladies had a wonderful time with Elizabeth Biship of Junglebloom who gave a magical talk and demonstration of flower arranging. The results being raffled at the festive board and raised £324. That together with a £1000 approved in the meeting being a great donation to the Cleeves and Whithead trust. It was a fabulous lunch with sixty-nine sitting down to dine. Trevor’swife Pamela won one of the arrangements that, together with a beautiful bouquet of flowers presented to her from the Carl Whitehead Lodge will certainly make their home bright and colourful.
Royal Ark Mariner Masonry. A wonderful order with a sincere message but having lots of fun too. When the time is right for you why not come and join us?
Andrew Johnson
Communications Manager