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Fidelity and Unanimity Royal Ark Mariners celebrates its Centenary

Wednesday 14th October 2015 was an important day in the history read by the Deputy Grand Secretary to our Worshipful Commander
of this old Lodge, which was Consecrated on 20th May 1913 by Jimmy Durant.
R.W.Brother Colonel William Long CB the PGM at that time. After which the AGM rose and stated that it was his great pleasure
It was our present PGM R.W.Brother John Morgan, supported by his to present, to a rather surprised PGM, a “Grand Patron Collaret” on
Provincial Team who joined us to celebrate the Centenary. Our guest behalf of the Mark Benevolent Fund.
of honour was The Assistant Grand Master R.W.Brother Raymond J On resuming his chair the W Commander invited the AGM to present
Smith accompanied by The Deputy Grand Secretary W.Brother Ryan the Centenary Jewels to the members of the Lodge.
Williams and W.Brother Nicholas Murzell Deputy Grand Director of To complete this special occasion, the brethren retired to the supper
Ceremonies. They had travelled from Grand Lodge to present The room to partake of an excellent festive board supplied by our caterers.
Centenary Warrant and commemorative Jewels to the brethren of the Just over 80 dined and it is nice to record that every RAM lodge in
Lodge. the province was represented by at least one member. During his
The Ceremony went well with the RWBrother John taking the chair speech the W Commander thanked all those present for attending
and giving a brief outline of the RAM Degree in Somerset plus a short and presented the AGM with a special bottle of 10 year old Somerset
history of the Lodge. He then called upon W.Brother Ian Strickland Cider Brandy to mark his first visit to the Lodge.
who gave an excellent oration on “The History and Symbolism of the A truly memorable evening for all concerned, and the Lodge looks
Porphyry Stone” which was well received by all present. forward to its next 100 years full of confidence.
The chair was next taken by the AGM, & the Centenary Warrant was Rod Green, Scribe.

Nailsea, did you know?

The traditional image of Noah’s giraffe there is a large dog of
Ark as used in a Royal Ark Mariner indeterminate breed. I am reliably
Lodge is one of a wooden hulled informed that when the Lodge was
boat with a ‘bungalow’ on top. On founded in 1990 the signwriter
Royal Ark Mariner documents the who decorated the honours board
ark is shown with the dove bearing was not an Ark Mariner. He was
an olive branch above it, which is given such a poor photocopy of
taken from the cover of the tracing the ark that his interpretation was
board ritual. On RAM summons somewhat different from what was
the presentation of the ark is intended.
similar, wooden hull, bungalow Thus Nailsea RAM has a unique
and dove, indeed there are many honours board and a unique image
different styles but the content is on the Lodge summons. Surprising
always the same. sometimes where Lodge traditions
If you should visit Nailsea Masonic spring from!
Hall, check out the honours board Ray Guthrie, Founder Nailsea
for Nailsea RAM No 1548 and you RAM No 1548.
will see the familiar Wooden hull& Extract taken from Triangle Issue
bungalow, but no dove, instead I dated September 2006.
you will see a giraffe & with the

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