The sesquicentenary celebration for the Sincerity Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner 35 took place at the St Aubyn Masonic Hall in Plymouth this week, with brethren travelling from all corners of the Province to help them celebrate this special occasion. The Lodge, who had recently elevated 4 candidates at the same meeting, was proud to have achieved this 150 years of continous working.

The Worshipful Commander, Worshipful Brother Robert Truesdale opened the Lodge in the normal manner, and then the Provincial Grand Master and his team were then admitted.

The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother David C. Purdie, was joined by many illustrious and distinguished brethren, and in particular his executive, Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Brett Varker, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Worshipful Brother Chris Elliott, the Provincial Grand Secretary. They were further accompanied by Right Worshipful Brothers Perter Hawken and Peter Balsom, both Past Provincial Grand Masters, and Worshipful Brothers David Lee and Bill Humphries, both Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters.

The Provincial Grand Master was then offered the sceptre of the lodge and after thanking the Worshipful Commander, he took the seat of Noah accordingly.

After making a short but sincere speech to the brethren present, it was his pleasure to move to the highlight of the evening, to receive the Most Worshipful Brother Pro Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother John Herbert Prizeman.

The Pro Grand Master was on this occasion escorted by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Right Worshipful Brother Christopher Davies, the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Right Worshipful Brother Adrian Cleighton-Hills, together with his Standard and Sword Bearer provided by our own Province.

  

The Pro Grand Master accepted the Sceptre from our Provincial Grand Master, and this was followed by some words of warmth and thanks from the Pro Grand Master towards both the Province in General and this lodge in particular.

The main business of the evening then took place with the original Warrant of Constitution being read by our Provincial Secretary W. Bro Elliott, followed by the Sesquicentenary Warrant, eloquently dictated by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, R.W. Bro Davies.

The Pro Grand Master then invited the Worshipful Commander to receive from him the Sesquicentenary Warrant, and the he handed the sceptre back to the Commander, W. Bro. Truesdale, so he could continue the business of the evening.

A wonderful lecture involving a brief but interesting history of the Sincerity Lodge was then undertaken by Worshipful Brother Gilson Rowe, the Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and member of the lodge, followed by an oration undertaken by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Worshipful Brother Martin Smith.

Before the Pro Grand Master retired, he then took the opportunity to present the brethren of Sincerity with their individual jewels for the celebration. This was a wonderful experience for all the brethren to receive them in such a way on this momentous evening. The Pro Grand Master also took the opportunity to have his photograph taken with the members of the lodge.

  

The Pro Grand Master also joined the Heads of the other orders that were also present on the evening for a photograph, again showing how all the orders are working together within Devonshire for the improvement and togetherness in Freemasonry. Pictured with the Pro Grand Master and our Provincial Grand Master are Brother Nicholas A. Ball, the Provincial Grand Master in the Craft, Worshipful Brothers Richard Thomas, the Provincial Prior of the Knights Templar of Devon and Cornwall, Garry Peard, District Grand Master of the Royal Select Masters of Devon and Cornwall, Nicholas St John White, the Intendant General of the Red Cross of Constantine, and Barry Slade, District Grand Prefect of the Allied Masonic Degrees.

Following the meeting the brethren retired to the festive board where over 70 brethren enjoyed a wonderful meal and enjoyment amongst their friends.

Pictures of the Brethren congregated before the meeting