The Barnstaple Masonic Temple was the venue for the Installation ceremony of the Devonshire Lodge of Installed Mark Masters 1750, hosted by the Lodge of the West Gate of Mark Master Masons, with many travelling from far and wide to enjoy the evening.

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, who is a member of the lodge, was joined by the Presiding Officer, Worshipful Brother Brett Varker, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Paul Howard-Baker, Grand Senior Deacon, and a host of Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers.

 

It was also pleasant to see how many other orders were represented by members of the Mark degree, including Worshipful Brother Nicholas St John White, who is also the Intendant General of the Red Cross of Constantine for Devon and Cornwall.

The meeting was opened in fine form by the Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Richard Lucas, who then welcomed a new joining member to the Lodge, in the form of Worshipful Brother David White P.G.J.D., a subscribing member of the Unity Mark Lodge 783

The Worshipful Master then went on to install his successor, Worshipful Brother Eddie Dymond in an excellent Manner, who then invested his officers and continued the business of the meeting.

Following the meeting, 47 brethren congregated in the refectory and enjoyed a wonderful festive board. During the toasts, the DPGM, Very Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, proposed a special toast to the founders of the lodge, of which only a small number remain. It was a pleasure to see Worshipful Brother Bob Ware, the Lodge Secretary, respond to the toast as one of those remaining brethren, and stating how he never imagined that 29 years later, the Lodge would have been in such a great state with the same atmosphere as all those years before.