Thursday May 23rd saw a truly exceptional meeting as Rochester’s Pentangle Mark Lodge No. 682 celebrated its Centenary.
L-R Pro Grand Master – MW. Bro. Raymond Smith, Worshipful Master – W. Bro. Duncan Griffiths and Provincial Grand Master – RW. Bro. Archie Torrance.
The Lodge and Province were honoured to receive a visit from the Pro Grand Master, MW. Bro. Raymond Smith, and all were delighted to see two members of the Kent Executive, W. Bros David Stiff and Barry Cleaves, acting as members of the Grand Lodge Team for the evening.
The Pro Grand Master took the Chair and regaled the Lodge with stories from his youth at boarding school in Rochester. While he made reference to a misspent youth, it was very clear that the Pro Grand Master had led a most interesting life locally and everyone would gladly have listened to much more.
The Assistant Grand Secretary, W. Bro. Dan Heath, then read the original Warrant followed by the Centenary Warrant. Not content with celebrating its centenary, the Pro Grand Master was also able to present the Lodge with its MBF Grand Patron Gold Collarette, while the Provincial Grand Master was also pleased to present the Lodge with the Festival Bronze Award. Both indicate the tremendous support given by the Lodge to the 2020 Festival.
W.Bro. Michael Foreman the Lodge Secretary, then delivered an excellent summary of the history of the Lodge, bringing home to everyone how difficult it must have been to form a Lodge at the end of WWI and then survive the hardships and deprivations of WWII. This was followed by an excellent Oration by W.Bro. Graham Higgs, Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain, who captivated the Lodge in his usual manner.
The Lodge then took the time to have a photograph taken to ensure that the day would not be forgotten and that, in another 100 years, everybody will be able to see exactly what happened on the day.
A packed Festive Board was then enjoyed by all, where the Lodge showed its appreciation with presentations made to the Pro Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Master and their wives. The whole day was a true example of how Mark Masonry should be and illustrated exactly what the Friendly Degree is all about.