âOn Monday 12th November, Biggin Hill Royal Ark Mariner & Mark Lodges No. 1557, which meet consecutively in Sevenoaks, received a very pleasant surprise when the Provincial Grand Master, RW. Bro. Archie Torrance, paid an impromptu visit to witness his friends Ray Parish and Brian Craggs elevated into the R.A.M. Degree under the care of Lodge DC Roy Adams who took the chair of Worshipful Commander at very short notice and delivered a first class ceremony.
Pictured (left to right): Perri Ahmet APGM, George Johnson WM/WCdr, Ray Parish, Roy Adams DC, Brian Craggs, Archie Torrance PGM, Geoff Doyle.
The explanation of the nine steps was delivered by the PGM who was also accompanied by Martyn Summers ProvDGDC, who acted as Guardian, and Perri Ahmet APGM who acted as Senior Deacon.
This was the first of a series of surprise visits by Chains to Lodges around the Province with the aim of supporting all of our 59 Mark and 47 R.A.M. Lodges; to see them at work, without the formalities associated with a full Provincial delegation; to find them doing things well; to discuss what arrangements are in place for attracting candidates for Advancement and Elevation; and to find them enjoying their Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Masonry.
The PGM commented how grateful he was that the members had embraced the ideas that were shared in respect of membership and recruitment and also that a notice of motion was given to donate £650 from the Mark Lodge to secure 2020 Festival Bronze Award and £775 from the R.A.M. Lodge to secure 2020 Festival Bronze Award and MBF Grand Patron Award.