The brethren of the St Nicholas Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners 540 held their business meeting recently in the Masonic Temple in Ilfracombe. After the Lodge had completed their business for the evening, it was then closed and followed a short time later by the meeting of the North Devon Union Lodge of Mark Master Masons 540. This is an excellent initiative by the lodges, in order to combine the evening, and thus causing minimal disruption to the brethren especially during the poor and cold weather periods.

The main business for the evening was to undertake an advancement ceremony of the newest member within the Province. Worshipful Brother Roy Almond, the Worshipful Master, together with the rest of his team of officers, performed an excellent ceremony and Brother David Williams was advanced in a wonderful manner.

Present for the evening was Worshipful Brother Robert Palmer, Grand Steward and the Provincial Grand Secretary, who presented the newly advanced Brother with his Provincial Tie and a personal letter from the Provincial Grand Master. He then went on to present two Grand Lodge certificates to Brothers Nick Martin and Mark Bendon, who did an excellent job as the acting Junior Deacon for the evening.

Following the meeting, the brethren retired to enjoy a well-earned and wonderful Fish and Chip supper.