A wet and windy start was made by those travelling up to the Annual Assembly of the Ancient and Honourable fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners in London recently. Right Worshipful Brother David Charles Purdie, the Provincial Grand Master, was accompanied on this journey by a number of brethren including Worshipful Brother Christopher Elliott, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Peter Balsom, the Past Provincial Grand Master and Worshipful Brother Robert Palmer, the Provincial Grand Secretary.

The meeting, which was held in a packed Grand Temple at Freemasons Hall, was presided over by Right Worshipful Brother Professor Denovan Keith Wilson, the Deputy Grand Master. The main business of the meeting was, on behalf of the Grand Master, to invest the brethren who were being promoted to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. This year those assembled were able to congratulate Worshipful Brothers Gary Peard, Keith Rodulson and Christopher Woods on receiving this wonderful preferment.

After the meeting had closed, the brethren made their way down to the Grand Connaught Rooms, to enjoy the company of all the brethren assembled, whilst they participated in an excellent festive board.

The brethren then managed to make their way back to Paddington station and board the Ark (in the form of GWR), and sail back the Province in time to baton down the hatches before being hit by the incoming storm.

On behalf of the Brethren of Devonshire, we congratulate all those brethren who received their preferment to Grand Rank, in recognition of their support to their Districts and Provinces.