On Friday 6th September 2024, under the Banner of the Kent Installed Commanders’ Lodge No.999, the Provincial Grand Assembly of Royal Ark Mariners was held.
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. Martyn Brian Summers presided over the meeting, assisted by Provincial officers, including the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters W.Bro. Stephen Hyland and V.W.Bro Gregory Dunham, together with two Past Provincial Grand Masters. This marked the first Provincial Grand Assembly since 2021.
The meeting commenced with the investiture of recipients of Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank, where members of the Province of Kent were honoured with the appointment and invested.
The Province also took the opportunity to celebrate the special contribution and dedication to the Order by celebrating the two most recent members of the Province who had successfully achieved the Silver Pin of Excellence, for their work in the delivering a first class Royal Ark Mariner Elevation ceremony.
The Province was honoured to be presented with the Grand Masters Keystone Fund collarette for the Royal Ark Mariners, which can now be coupled with the collarette already attained for the Mark. This was presented by the President of the Mark Benevolent Fund R.W.Bro Archibald Iain Torrance.
During the meeting, there was a presentation of the Royal Ark Mariners Tracing board by W.Bro. Michael Plant, which can only be described as “Truly Special”. The presentation of the tracing board, not often seen in Royal Ark Mariner Lodges, was very well received by all those in attendance.
The Kent Installed Commanders Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners also moved to donate funds to secure a Grand Mark Keystone Fund collarette at Lodge Level, cementing their commitment to this wonderful endeavour. This is indeed wonderful news, as one of the largest Lodges in the Province of Kent.
In closing, the Brethren then moved towards a wonderful Festive Board, which was held under the banner and stewardship of the Kent Installed Commanders Lodge.
Congratulations to all those members who received Honours, and of course a special thank you to the Kent Installed Commanders Lodge for their hospitality, and to their commitment to the Grand Mark Keystone Fund.
Words: Karl Bowman.
Photograph: Ian Gallehawk