Don't miss these Zoom presentations from W.Bro Tony Harvey!

Stacks Image 503923

What is the Royal Ark Mariner degree? - Tuesday 9th Feb at 19.00

This zoom presentation is being given in conjunction with the Provinces of Devon and Cornwall. V.W. Bro. Tony is an acclaimed public speaker, being the Craft Prestonian Lecturer of 2012, and a strong supporter of the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner degrees. In this thoughtful and incisive presentation he explains the core values of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree, its origin as a stand-alone body, and its value as a progression which is well worth all Mark Masons considering taking.
The Lecture will last approx. 30 minutes and will be followed by a friendly and informative Q & A session. Register to attend by clicking the link, you will then be sent log in details before the meeting.
https://wiram-dcs.eventbrite.co.uk/

The Historic Links between the Craft, Mark and Royal Arch - Wednesday 10th February

This zoom presentation is being given in conjunction with Somerset Craft and Holy Royal Arch. W. Bro. Harvey explains the relationship between the three Sovereign Orders and the importance of Mark as well as Chapter in a full appreciation of the Craft. This will be followed by a second lecture on Wed. 17th March on the Narrative and Symbolic links between Craft, Mark and Chapter.
Register to attend here, you will then be sent log in details before the meeting.

The Provincial Treasurer recognised in New Years Honours List

The Provincial Treasurer, W Bro Peter Elmont, PGSD has been recognised in the Queens New Year Honours List 2021. W Bro Peter has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to maritime safety.
He has been chairman of Weston RNL’s fundraising branch since 2011 but was a member for many years before that. Further details of the award can be found at the Weston Mercury.
Congratulations Peter, from all your many friends in the Province!
Stacks Image 503903
Stacks Image 503861

16th December 2020 - Grand Master's Special Award

At a specially convened Zoom meeting held on Tuesday, 15 December, the Pro Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Raymond John Smith, was delighted to confer promotion in, or first appointment to, Mark Grand Rank upon eighteen recipients of the Grand Master’s Special Award in recognition of their outstanding community service during Covid-19. Included in the number are W.Brothers David Dixon and Trevor Quartermaine of the Royal Cumberland Lodge TI for their work in conjunction with the Bath Square Meals project. Our hearty congratulations to all eighteen recipients, especially our own Somerset Brethren!
22nd December - David Dixon gives an update on the Square meals project.
Stacks Image 503865

Mark Newsletter

Early in the New Year we will be publishing a Mark email Newsletter. You can sign up to receive it on the form below. If your Lodge something of interest that you feel should be in the Newsletter please contact the Editor.

8th December Christmas open house meeting.
(Zoom of course)

Stacks Image 503838
The Provincial Grand Master hosted this evenings meeting for all members of the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degree, it was attended by over seventy five brethren, including Past PGM John Morgan and his new puppy!
W.Bro Matt Westley won first prize for the fancy dress competition. Terry Hulbert won the Christmas quiz, well organised by Richard Conneely. Terry got eight out of ten correct which doesn't say much for the rest of us! Provincial Charity Steward, Val Cooke conducted the November and December draws for the 600 club. For a list of winners see item opposite.
The evening was rounded off by the PGM who gave a toast to absent brethren. A pleasant evening spent in good company!
Stacks Image 503842

Provincial 600 Club New 20-21 Season!
In the 2019/20 season over £3500 was raised for the Provincial Mark Benevolent Fund. A similar amount was distributed in prizes. Help to make this years 600 club just as successful, entering now. If you're not in it you can't win it! Download the entry form.

5th September - A successful "virtual" Provincial meeting!
R.W.Bro Philip Voisey, Provincial Grand Master conducted the meeting on the Zoom platform. Although not quite the same as having a normal Provincial Meeting it gave the PGM, his Executive and all those attending a first opportunity to congratulate those who assumed their new Ranks and Offices in May, as well as the recipients of Royal Ark Mariner Provincial Grand Rank who assumed their new ranks today.

News and thoughts from brethren in these unusual Covid-19 times

25th July - Charity update. Brethren of the Mark Province of Somerset give a further £4650 to a range of charities across the Province.

  • The PGM would like to hear about your lockdown project.

    Open or Close
    During our Masonic Lockdown our Provincial Grand Master has not been idle, far from it! As the before and after photos show below. The PGM explains:

    Mrs PGM said as you can work from home you need a project, so this was mine it would be interesting to see what projects the Brethren have taken too during the Lockdown, and the new skills that they have mastered!
    My cooking had also improved as well I got a 10 out of 10 for my dauphinois potatoes! Sorry no picture as we ate them!"

    So brethren send us your photos and tell us about your new skills - email your contribution to the webmaster
    Stacks Image 503772
    Stacks Image 503774

  • Somerset Mark Master Masons help the Stable Café Childrens Lunch Project in Weston-super-Mare

    Open or Close
    When the Stable Café, in Wadham Street, Weston-super-Mare had to close due to the corona virus pandemic, the proprietor, Prayag Rajpura, looked to see what he could do to help people. He found that there are a lot of children who do not get meal vouchers as they are members of families who did not meet the criteria for free school meals. He set about supplying packed lunches for children in this situation, including those of NHS workers who are having to self-isolate away from their family. In the first seven weeks of the lockdown he has supplied over 3200 meals to these children.
    Prayag is somehow managing to keep this going by relying on food donations from businesses and crowd funding. The local YMCA Youth and Community Team has volunteered to do the lunch pack deliveries. This gives them a chance to catch up with the children they would normally work with, by checking in with people who are vulnerable and struggling through these uncertain times.
    Somerset Mark Master Masons have stepped in to help the project. W Bro Chris Millard WM of Else Lodge No 102, contacted the Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Philp Voisey, to see if we could help this worthy community-based project. The Provincial Grand Master very kindly agreed to make a donation of £250.
    Prayag Rajpura said;- “I am extremely grateful to Somerset Mark Master Masons for their generous support. For a project like ours this money will go a long way and have a big impact on what we can achieve.”
    W Bro Chris Millard WM Else Lodge No 102
    May 2020
    Stacks Image 503755
    Some of the packed lunches ready for delivery by local YMCA volunteers.
    Stacks Image 503757
    Chris Millard- WM of Else Lodge No 102 in Weston-super-Mare, presenting the cheque to Prayag Rajpura at the Stable Café.

  • Nailsea Royal Ark Mariners support local school

    Open or Close
    The idea of producing PPE masks started from a request the Head Teacher, Mrs Elliott had from North Somerset Community Care for any PPE that we might have as they couldn’t source any at the time. I quickly gathered what we had (safety glasses, goggles, disposable aprons, nitrile gloves and 3 face shields) and got them off to Tyntesfield Medical Group - TMG (Nalsea, Backwell & Long Ashton). We also gave goggles to Nailsea Police who had only been given 4 pairs of glasses. I knew that Priory School in Weston Super Mare were starting to make a face shields. I called them and had a discussion about what they were doing and discovered they were making a version using their laser cutter. I spoke with our Design Technology Technician and he said we could make more robust ones using our 3D printers, we had the materials already on site and within 24 hours we had a prototype that was acceptable to TMG. It then just grew from there and once we had gotten to about 80 we started running out of the PETG filament which the headband is made from so we purchased more.
    I made a request through the secretary of Estune Lodge for some financial help from Nailsea Lodges hoping to get a few hundred pounds towards the materials so we could continue making them. I didn’t expect to get such a fantastic response and the money received from the Masonic Community including yourselves Nailsea Royal Ark Mariners has enabled the school to buy more materials and to order replacement PPE for when schools re-open.
    We are still making the shields and supplying them to both the local community and care homes further afield including the RMBI home at Cadogan Court in Exeter. In total we have now supplied over 160 of these re-usable face shields thanks to the financial support of Freemasons. 
    Most of the masks are now going to care homes and if there is a brother out there with a connection to a care home then please ask them to contact me at cperry@nailseaschool.com and I will see what I can do.
    On behalf of the school can I thank the brethren of Nailsea Royal Ark Mariners Lodge, Estune Lodge and Sir Isaac Newton Lodge for their generous support, I’m sure the Head Teacher will be writing to thank those that have assisted us in doing this work to help keep people on the front line safe.
     
    Chris Perry - Operations Manager and H&S Officer, Nailsea School
    • 3D Printers at Nailsea school

      3D Printers at Nailsea school

    • A very proffesional finished prodct

      A very proffesional finished prodct

    • Nailsea School.

      Nailsea School.

  • How did you celebrate VE Day?

    Open or Close
    This is from Pat and Heather Morrissey.

    Hi!!
    After 6 weeks of total isolation it was nice to celebrate VE Day at the bottom of the drive in full sight of our neighbours.
    Heather made the scones & I helped by eating them!

    Regards from, Pat, Heather & Tiger.
    • Scones for tea!

      Scones for tea!

    • Cheers!

      Cheers!

    • Cheers again!

      Cheers again!

    • Tiger is in on the act!

      Tiger is in on the act!

  • Foodbanks say big thank you to Somerset Mark Masons.

    Open or Close
    On behalf of the Somer Valley Foodbank I would like to thank you for your extremely generous donation of £2,000. We are very grateful for your support as we seek to help the most needy in our community at this very difficult time.
    Jane Street, Treasurer - Somer Valley Foodbank
    Stacks Image 503684
    Please pass on the heartfelt thanks of The Lord's Larder for your generous cheque of £750. As you may well imagine we are so busy at the moment and we so appreciate the gift of your Lodge. I ask that you pass on our thanks to your members.
    Jim Banks, Treasurer and Trustee of the Lord's Larder - Chard.
    Stacks Image 503686
    We are extremely grateful for your donation to us of £1,500.00. Words cannot thank you enough for this act of kindness supporting our Foodbank. In these troubled times, we are spending more of our funds towards stock of food and toiletries for those in need.
    Elaine Reynolds (Trustee) Cheddar Foodbank
    Stacks Image 503688
    Thank you for your generous donation of £2000. We are gratful for the amazing support we have received at this difficult time, please pass on our gratitude to all your members.
    Frederique Wigmore - Weston super Mare Foodbank Manager
    Stacks Image 503690
    Thank you so much for this most generous donation of £1250, it is much appreciated by us all at the foodbank.
    Keith Barnard - Bridgwater Foodbank
    Stacks Image 503692
    We are extremely grateful for your amazing contribution of £2000 to our Clevedon and District Foodbank. Our younger volunteers are working so hard to keep it going through this crisis. We are thankful to St Andrew’s church, who have let us use their big hall so that social distancing can be maintained successfully. Thank you so much for thinking of us. We wish all of you good health and safety during these difficult days.
    Gil Mears - Treasurer, Clevedon and District Foodbank
    Stacks Image 503694
    Stacks Image 503702
    R.W. Bro Phil, I hope you and your family are fine and well and indeed also all your members in the Province.
    I just wanted to thank you and the members for the great work you have undertaken during this period of lockdown especially in the support and assistance you have given to food banks across the Province.
    Anne was a volunteer every Monday at our local food bank and I know from the experiences she would relate to me what a wonderful service to the most vulnerable they give. To some they really are a life line.
    Thank you the Mark Province of Somerset, you have stood up to the challenge and served your community well.
    Every best wish and may we soon be able to give thanks together.

    RAYMOND SMITH - Pro Grand Master, GLMMM

  • The 'PGM' of Minehead is recovering!

    Open or Close
    25th April - A little info on the "PGM" of Minehead and he has given me permission to send this for inclusion on the Mark website.

    John, since his return home has made remarkable progress in the last 6 weeks, although still very limited in how far he can walk he is very self sufficient and determined his disability will not beat him. He has some help from his neighbours and from Exmoor Masons. Shirley & I keep in contact with him three or four times a week and he likewise keeps in touch with us.
    He has recently had his catheter removed which has made him a very happy individual!! He can now shower himself without assistance. His interest in the Mark degree and especially our Province has not diminished, W.Bro. Graham Gamble or myself keep him updated as much as possible when emails etc are sent out or when any news is received.

    As for myself and Shirley the garden is beginning to look like something that resembles a garden the sheds, summer house & Garage are nearly all painted!
    Hope all is well with you and catch up soon hopefully

    Paul Cullum Exmoor Mark Lodge
    Stacks Image 503634
    Stacks Image 503636
    Thanks for the update Paul and well done John, really good to see you on the road to recovery!
    Ray Guthrie

  • There should be some great golfers in the Province!

    Open or Close
    After five weeks of lockdown not being able to get out for a game of golf, some of us are actually practicing at home. Dave Smith, the secretary of quantock will have no excuse for missing a putt when he gets back to playing!!
    Stacks Image 503638

  • From our man in Spain

    Open or Close
    Stacks Image 503612
    Lockdown in Spain is tough!

    We have been on lockdown for over 5 weeks and have now been informed it will be a minimum of another 4.

    Lockdown in Spain is not like the UK. We are not allowed to step outside the apartment unless it is for groceries or medical supplies and then only one at a time, police are out in numbers to enforce it.
    I was stopped by them and had to open the boot so they could examine my purchases and then had to produce my receipt which they examined thoroughly. Only one person allowed it a car at a time.
    People with dogs are told not to walk them more than 50 meters to do their business.
    They are sometimes ask to provide proof that the dog is theirs as some are borrowing dogs. Incidentally the poor dogs are knackered. I think some of them hide when they here "walkies"
    Because Christine has an underlying condition she hasn't been outside since it started.
    We are luckier than some as we have a garden. However since the lockdown started the weather hasn't been great with quite a lot of rain.
    On the plus side the supermarkets are full of produce and the gin is cheap!
    We are coping really well but will be glad when we can take a walk along the seafront.

    Hope you are all being careful and pleased be safe.

    From your continental reporter

    Derek Wilton

    Glad you’re both safe Derek – keep it that way and looking forward to meeting up after this is all over.
    Ben White

  • Suporting the NHS

    Open or Close
    Bro Chris Dyer, Almoner of Fidelity and Unanimity Royal Ark Mariner Lodge in Taunton, has been so busy during lock down working through that long list of jobs he has accrued since retirement, that he didn't have time to paint a rainbow 🌈. So he has displayed his Royal Ark Mariners collar in his window instead, to pledge his support for the NHS.
    Hoping all Brethren are keeping safe and well.

    Great idea Chris 👏
    Stacks Image 503606

Almost 400 years ago another invisible killer was visited on the people of Bridgwater and Taunton.

Stacks Image 503619

3rd May - Thank you brethren from John Nicholson the retiring Provincial Charity Steward.

Stacks Image 503718

3rd May - Some thoughts from David Lyons, who retired yesterday as Provincial Almoner.

2nd May - On what should have been the day of our Provincial meeting, here's a poem that looks forward to better days.
The Old Black Shoes.

Provincial Grand Master Phil Voisey announces immediate help for Somerset food banks totalling £11,500
Stacks Image 503555
Bridgwater Lodges combine to donate £3,220 to local food bank.
Future Events

Provincial Weekend 15th to 17th October 2021

Stacks Image 502983
The Provincial weekend will be held at the Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th October 2021. Full details and the Booking Form will be available soon.

Calendar of Mark and
Royal Ark Mariner Meetings

Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Installations

There will be no Provincial representation at any Lodge for any ceremony (including Installations) or Provincial Team Visits for the foreseeable future. As the situation regarding the Covid 19 pandemic evolves, a new Provincial Diary for 2021/22 will be drafted and Lodge Secretaries/Scribes will of course be kept informed of this.

The Travelling Keystone

Programme 2020 to 2021.
Programme 2021 to 2024
Masters words for delivery of the Keystone.

The Travelling Ark

Programme for Sept 2020 to 2022
Commanders words for delivery of the Ark.

Proposing a Masonic toast? Here are some helpful hints.

Mark Golf Day 18th June 2021

Friday 18th June 2021 - The 15th Annual Mark Golf Day will be held at Wedmore Golf Club. All golfers welcome!
Download the entry form.
Stacks Image 503031

Somerset Antient Mark Masons

Stacks Image 13635
2020 is looking like a quiet year for the demonstration team with only one booking for Jersey. If your Mark Lodge would like to host a demonstration please contact the secretary, W.Bro Barrie Baker.

Programme for 2020

Taking the fourth regular step Download a pdf leaflet which explains why a Master Mason should join the Mark Degree.

© 2020 Provincial Grand Lodge MMM Somerset Contact Webmaster