News

The Portal Lecture

The Portal Lecture

The Provincial Grand Wardens Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 2035, which was Consecrated on 26 February 2022, will hold its First Regular Meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 17 September 2022 at Alderson House, Warwick CV34 4AX.

Membership of the Lodge is limited to Brethren who are or have been active Wardens in any Province or District under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas.

The Portal Lecture will be delivered at this meeting by V.W.Bro. Dr Rod G. Taylor, P.G.J.O. All proceeds from the meeting will be in support of the current Mark Festival that is being held in 2023, by the Province of West Yorkshire.

The Lecture is entitled “The First Royal Mark Mason”.

The meeting will be followed by a Festive Board at 1.00 p.m. Details can be obtained from the Lodge Secretary.

Attendance at the meeting is limited so if you wish to attend please contact the Secretary, W.Bro. Christopher R. Denley, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Appointment of new Rulers in the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons

Appointment of new Rulers in the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons

For the last fifteen years, M.W.Bro. Raymond Smith has given outstanding service  to our Order in various offices. In 2007, he was appointed Provincial Grand Master  for London, an office he held for four years before taking over the presidency of the  Mark Benevolent Fund until 2013.

His reputation as a consummate professional discharging his duties with a quiet  confidence and always with a welcoming smile, singled him out for further  advancement and in 2014 he was appointed Assistant Grand Master. Two years  later he was promoted to Deputy Grand Master and, in 2017, he succeeded to the  office of Pro Grand Master.

Having served five years as Pro Grand Master and with a relocation to Jersey about  to take place, M.W.Bro. Smith has indicated his wish to retire and will stand down  at the September Communication of Grand Lodge. On your behalf I extend to him  our thanks for all that he has done for Mark Masonry so wonderfully supported by his wife Anne and we wish them both a long, happy and healthy retirement in their  new home.

In consequence of this news, the Most Worshipful Grand Master has been pleased  to make the following appointments:

As Pro Grand Master – R.W.Bro. John Herbert Prizeman, Dep.G.M.

As Deputy Grand Master – R.W.Bro. Francis Charles Spencer, A.G.M.

And as Assistant Grand Master – R.W.Bro. Prof. Denovan Keith Wilson, Prov.G.M.  for Durham.

I am sure you will join me in extending heartiest congratulations to our new Rulers Designate who will be invested by the Grand Master on 13 September.

Their appointments mark the start of a new Chapter in the history of our Order, and I feel sure that under their guidance we will continue our recovery from the effects of the pandemic and realise our ambitions for a stronger and more forward looking Order.

With fraternal regards and best wishes.

R.W.Bro. Ryan A Williams, P.G.J.W., Grand Secretary

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 the following recipients of the Grand Master’s Special Award in recognition of their outstanding community service during Covid-19. Our hearty congratulations to all these Brethren.

Past Grand Senior Deacon

Anthony Francis John Ball - Warwickshire

Ian Michael Crawford - Spain

Thomas Hodgson - Cumberland & Westmorland

Adrian Carl Hutt - Worcestershire

Fraser McPherson - West Yorkshire

Michael John Pescod - Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire

Clive Stephen Weston - Leicestershire & Rutland

Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

Frans Cornelius Alwyn Roodt - Natal

Graham Peter Dearing - Buckinghamshire

Past Grand Standard Bearer

Patrick Donald Burridge - Hampshire & Isle of Wight

David Arthur Day - The Transvaal

David John Dixon - Somerset

Keri John Evans - South Wales

David Charles Greenway - Derbyshire

Brian Peter Hamley - Bristol

Paul Jones - Devonshire

Stephen Jones - Derbyshire

Trevor John Edward Quartermaine - Somerset

152nd MBF Festival

On Saturday, 12 December, the Grand Secretary was pleased to announce the fantastic total raised by Brethren of the Mark Province of Kent for their 2020 MBF Festival.

£2,050,879

An excellent effort. Congratulations to all involved.

This, the 152nd MBF Festival, was due to be celebrated at a gala dinner in July, which has now been postponed until the Province can gather in September 2021. But we could not let 2020 end without sharing this with the Brethren of the Province, and the Order worldwide.

You can find a video showing how they raised the money here

And another video showing the causes supported here