The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother David C. Purdie, joined the brethren of the St John Lodge of Mark Master Masons 50 recently, together with a large team of Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers, to celebrate a special event.

The brethren were gathered to celebrate 60 Years of dedicated service to the lodge by one of their brethren, Very Worshipful Brother George Ian Warn.

The celebration was started by the Provincial Grand Master, who gave a very sincere history of George's dedicated service, not only to the Degree of the Mark Masonry, but also to his other orders. It was a wonderful history, especially as much of it contained the facts of his late father and brother also being in the orders alongside him throughout his service. It was poignant that at one point in his masonic career, his father was the Worshipful Master, his brother was the Senior Warden and Very Worshipful Brother George was the Junior Warden, which was no doubt a wonderful time for such a dedicated family.

Very Worshipful Brother George was Advanced on the 19th June 1964 into the St John Lodge of Mark Master Masons 50, serving twice as the Worshipful Master in 1973 and 2001. He received Provincial honours in 1977 as the Provincial Grand Senior Overseer, and promoted to Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden in 1982. Grand Rank honours followed with a promotion to Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1992 and Past Grand Junior Deacon in 2000. In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Past Grand Junior Overseer, earning him the title of "Very Worshipful Brother".

Following the history, the Provincial Grand Master invited the Worshipful Brother Jon Webber, the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary, to read both the Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge Citations, which were eloquently undertaken. The Provincial Grand Master then presented George with the citations and commemorative jewel, which was met by rousing acclamation. Very Worshipful Brother George was then offered the opportunity to speak, on this eventful and emotional evening for him. He thanked everyone for the support, fun and happiness he has enjoyed over the last 60 years. As he finished and turned to return to his seat, he was met with a standing ovation by all present.

Congratulations to George, from all of the brethren within the Province of Devonshire, for his dedicated service and loyalty the Degree of Mark Masonry, over the last 60 amazing years.