A strong contingent from Northumberland accompanied R. W. Bro. Ray Walton, our Provincial Grand Master, to Great Queen Street for this week’s meeting of Mark Grand Lodge on Tuesday 12th March. As well as being a business meeting, the occasion is also used to highlight the great work done by the MBF. The President of the MBF, R. W. Bro. Archie Torrance, gave a detailed presentation of the grants awarded by the Fund in 2023 with the total coming to £972,559, a fantastic sum of which every Mark Master Mason should be proud.
Some of the recipients are invited to address Grand Lodge and give insight into their work and how the grant has benefited them. On this occasion two of the Charities were present. Shelterbox, which provides humanitarian aid to give relief in times of crisis such as earthquakes, floods etc. which the MBF has supported on a number of previous occasions, and the Irene Taylor Trust which promotes the teaching and use of music within prisons to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates. Both Charities gave us an inspiring look into their activities and expressed their profound and heartfelt thanks for the assistance given by the MBF.
The meeting was further enhanced by the presence of the Pro Grand Master of the Craft, M. W. Bro. Jonathan Spence, who was invited to address the Mark brethren present. He in turn told us that our Pro Grand Master would be addressing the Craft Quarterly Communication meeting the next day when he would also be invested as PGJW, a great honour. M. W. Bro. Spence also spoke about his desire to forge greater co-operation between UGLE and the Companion Orders and how this would strengthen Freemasonry overall in the future.
An excellent festive board in the Connaught Rooms rounded off a great day in good company.
Northumberland and Berwick upon Tweed Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners TI is the now current holder of the Travelling Sceptre from 3rd Ocober 2023
The Travelling Gavel has left Whitley Bay and moved from the furthest east of the Province to the furthest west and is now in the possession of Hexham Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1141. Perhaps it can now make its way to the far north to compete the Northumberland triangle.
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