The Pro Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother John Herbert Prizeman, presided at the January meeting of the Grand Stewards’ Lodge of Mark Master Masons, of which he is an honorary member, and following tradition, he installed Very Worshipful Brother William (Bill) Daw, P.G.J.O., into the chair.

  

This prestigious Lodge (which doesn’t have a number) was Consecrated in December 1884 and meets just twice each year, in January for the installation of a new Master and in July, where a lecture is delivered, invariably by an accomplished speaker and expert on his subject. The meetings are followed by a sumptuous banquet at Mark Masons’ Hall.

  

Membership is by invitation, which is extended to all new acting Grand Stewards, thus seeing twenty-two joining members on this occasion, taking the total to over 450 members. Progression is based upon seniority and attendance record, so anyone attaining the chair will have been a loyal member for quite some time. Very Worshipful Brother Bill is only the second Master from the Province of Devonshire, the first being Right Worshipful Brother Henry Edgar Eland Holiday, who was in the Chair in 1992. Coincidentally, he was the Provincial Grand Master who recommended Bill for appointment as a Grand Steward. Bill became a member of Grand Stewards Lodge on 12th December 1988, so it has taken 36 years to get to the Chair. For several years now, he has been the only one surviving from the twenty two brethren who were appointed in his year, and is privileged and honoured to be the 140th Master of The Grand Stewards' Lodge of Mark Master Masons. 

Bill a member of Brunswick Lodge of Mark Master Masons is a senior member of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Devonshire, and on this special occasion brought with him a veritable entourage of supporters for his special occasion. This included the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother David Purdie, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Very Worshipful Brother John Clendinning and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Worshipful Brother Brett Varker.

28 Brethren supported Bill from Devonshire including his 3 personal guests, Worshipful Brothers Richard Huddy, John Smerdon and Mark Rodd from his own Lodge, of which he has been a member for over 54 years. 

  

In addition to the Installation Ceremony and routine administration matters, a Past Master’s Jewel, or its equivalent, was presented to the outgoing Master, Right Worshipful Brother Brian Batty, followed by a cheque for £2,000 to the Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, Right Worshipful Brother Ian Wright, towards his Province’s 2025 Festival in support of the Mark Benevolent Fund.

Very Worshipful Brother Bill would like to say a massive thank you to all the Brethren from the Province of Devonshire, who came to Mark Masons Hall in London and supporting him.

Thanks go to both Worshipful Brother John Smerdon, Brunswick Mark Lodge 48 and Right Worshipful Brother Peter Wellings (member and one of the lodge Stewards) for the information and pictures for this article.