At the last meeting of Purbeck Lodge 4355 held at the Branksome Masonic Hall. Our Master Graham had the honour to receive Stephen Andrew James on his first visit to a Dorset Lodge as The Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge, in and over the Province of Dorset.
He was accompanied by Richard Merritt PPGM of Dorset, Harry Barnes PPGM of Dorset, Nigel Carrington Leonard PPDGM of Dorset and Christopher Bond PAPGM of Dorset.
Stephen Andrew James was offered the Gavel and requested to take the chair of King Solomon where he was saluted for the first time in his new position as The Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge.
The Lodge was also honoured with the presence of Grand Officers in the persons of Nigel House PAGDC, Mike Worne PAGDC, Kevin Martin PGSuptWks and Matthew Burt DGOrg.
The Lodge back under the control of the Master, conducted the ceremony of passing and Neil was passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft. The working tools were presented in a different way than normal by being split into three sections. Craig Poate explained the tools and the Master gave the full moral tendances explanation in the middle.
Simon Arkell gave an explanation of the 2nd Degree Tracing Board in an excellent manner. Phil Conway gave the 2nd Degree Charge after passing, and Keith Brookman [Mentor] presented Neil with a copy of the guide for “Fellowcraft Freemasons”.
The meeting was followed by an excellent festive board laid on by the hall caterer Lisa and her team. The festive board meal was one of the best served in this hall and praise was given to Lisa and her staff.
Following the toast to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge given by our Master and before a reply from Stephen James, the whole room erupted and sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow” several times which truly showed the respect and support that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge has from the brethren in attendance and from the whole of Dorset.
The toast to the visitors was proposed by our brother Secretary Mark Austin in his normal happy go lucky style, thanking the visitors for attending and not only supporting Purbeck Lodge but helping in celebrating the appointment of Stephen Andrew James.
Purbeck Lodge 4355 looks forward to receiving him back as the Provincial Grand Master in and over the Province of Dorset.
Graham Barber
Master Purbeck Lodge 4355
