The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother David C. Purdie, joined more than 50 brethren at the Installation ceremony of the Ashburton Lodge of Mark Master Masons 1038. He was accompanied by Very Worshipful Brother Bill Humphries, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Grand Master Overseer, Worshipful Brother Dennis Challis, Grand Steward and Provincial Grand Almoner, along with a number of Active and Past Grand and Provincial Grand Officers, including Worshipful Brother Richard Ebrey, who is the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Craft within Devonshire, and the guest of the Master Elect.
The meeting was opened in fine form by the Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Barry Purdy, who welcomed the Provincial Grand Master and his team. The Gavel was proferred, which was accepted for a short time, whilst he went on to say how lovely it was to be at Ashburton sharing the stage, even just for a short time, with another brother called Purdie, even if the spelling was different. When the Gavel was returned to the Worshipful Master, an envelope was handed to the PGM which contained a cheque for £600 for the Devon Mark Charity Association, along with details of a further £400 that had been donated that day to other worthy causes. A remarkable set of donations by a small but thriving lodge.
The next event of the evening was to install the Master Elect, Brother Professor Stephen Michell, into the chair of Adoniram. The ceremony was undertaken with the Worshipful Master installing his successor in what could only be described as an exemplary and sincere manner. Worshipful Brother Stephen then went on to appoint and invest his team of officers for the year. During the evening the Provincial Grand Master also had the pleasure of presenting two Grand Lodge Certificates and the Past Masters jewel to Worshipful Brother Purdy.
Following the meeting, the brethren retired to the dining room and participated in a fun filled festive board, with the usual harmony of this wonderful degree, with some emotional speeches and responses given, before the brethren made their long way home.
