Right Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, the Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, joined the brethren of the Charity Mark Lodge 76 in Plymouth recently. He was accompanied by Very Worshipful Brother William Daw, Past Grand Junior Overseer and the Worshipful Master of the Grand Stewards Lodge, and Worshipful Brother John Hipwell, the Deputy Provincial Grand Secretary.

The purpose of the visit was to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of one of the members of the lodge, namely Worshipful Brother Michael Hutchinson. Michael was advanced into the Charity Lodge of Mark Master Masons 76 in September 1975 and went on to become a founder member of the Spencer Mark Lodge 1495 some two years later. He also joined the former Strode Mark Lodge 696 in 2009. He progressed through the offices in all of his lodges, becoming the Worshipful Master of the Charity Lodge in 1989, and then again in 2003 in the Spencer Mark Lodge. In 2017 and 2018 Michael served as the Worshipful Master for both the Spencer and Strode Mark Lodges. In 2024, Michael was again invested as the Worshipful Master of the Charity Mark Lodge, with that being the 6^th occasion when he was a Worshipful Master in this wonderful degree.  He received his first Provincial honour in 1991 as a Provincial Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, with further promotions following, including in 2006 to Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden. He received recognition for his service in 2008 with a Grand Rank appointment to Past Assistant Grand Sword Bearer and was promoted in 2020 to Past Grand Junior Deacon. He was elevated into the Strode Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in 1997, becoming the Worshipful Commander in 2004. He received the honour of Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 2011.

  

After being presented with his citation and certificate, he stated how much he had enjoyed being a Mark Master Mason over the years, and he thanked the brethren present for their support, including Worshipful Brother Peter Brookshaw, who was his seconder for being advanced into this wonderful degree. Following the meeting, he joined the brethren as they enjoyed the hospitality at the festive board, whilst enjoying the wonderful atmosphere that evening.

  

From all of the brethren of the Province, congratulations on achieving this amazing milestone and we wish you many more happy years of “Marking Well”