Page 8 - Triangle Summer 2009 Issue 6

Grand Officers’ Mess - Grand Officers’ Mess - Grand Officers’ Mess

The second Grand Officers’ Mess was held at
the Bridgwater Masonic Centre on Tuesday
17 March 2009. The buzz of conversation
th
and laughter grew louder as the dining room
rapidly filled with Mess Members.
Happy personal welcomes were given by
the Provincial Grand Master David Nelson
together with Ray Guthrie his Deputy as they
circulated amongst the members.
The dining tables were formed into a hollow
square, and to ensure that the dining places
were random, each diner drew a number out of the bag to determine their place at
the table. One member was heard to say, whilst drawing a number 34 from the bottom
of the pile “Now you can sit with someone else for a change”. “OK” said his travelling
companion stirring-up the tickets, and promptly drew out 35!
After a superb lunch and with constitutions mellowed through good food and wine, the
PGM rose, welcomed all present and proposed the Loyal Toast. He then called upon
the brethren for any topic they wished to discuss. A lively debate soon started with
ideas proffered and queries answered.
It was unanimously agreed that the Mess and the exchange of ideas etc. was a valuable
means of contact between Lodge and Province. It will now become a regular feature
in the Provincial Diary. The pictures illustrated give a candid view of the after
lunch discussion with its humour, gestures and attention…Copy/picsEd.

Fifty Years in Craft and Mark for Roy

Roy Bedford was initiated into the certificate at an informal meeting
Admiral Blake Craft Lodge, 4692 during the 150 year celebrations of
during May 1956 immediately before Mark Masonry in London and recently
emigrating to India in connection with at a meeting of the Admiral Blake Craft
his work; it was there that he completed Lodge, 4692 was officially presented
his Passing and Raising. Roy has been with a framed certificate by Peter
very busy since his return to this Country, Layzell, Deputy Provincial Grand
holding high offices in a myriad of other Master of Somerset commemorating
Degrees including Past Grand Junior fifty years in the Craft.
Overseer and Deputy Provincial Grand …Dave Smith, LIO, 4692.
It’s never too late! Master in the Province of London in the
On Thursday 5 March 2009, Bill Shorey, at 93 years Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons,
th
probably the oldest serving Master in the Province, he is also a holder of Grand Rank in
Advanced Jack Heard aged 87 years, the oldest the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity
Advancee to join Exmoor Mark Lodge, No. 697. The of Royal Ark Mariners. Roy became
Lodge was honoured on this occasion by the presence Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the
of our Provincial Grand Master, David Nelson London Mark Degree for the second
who took part in the Ceremony and communicated time in 2006. R. W. Bro. David Nelson,
the Secrets. This record will take some beating, a Provincial Grand Mark Master for the
combined age of 180, it will be interesting to see if Province of Somerset was an honoured
any other Lodge in the Province can come close to guest at Admiral Blake because of his
this! It only goes to show that regardless of how old long standing relationship working with
you are, it is never too late to enjoy your Freemasonry Roy as Wardens and higher ranks in
in whatever Degree…Norman Ackland Mark Masonry over the years.
Roy was presented with his 50 year
The Somerset Triangle Newsletter is produced for the Provincial Grand Lodge
of Mark Master Masons of Somerset.
The editor Pat Morrisey would be pleased to receive articles, news and photographs for possible publication,
please send to:- “Ashcombe Lodge”, 3 Milton Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 2SA.
Tel. 01934 631449. Email:- patmorrisey@btinternet.com