The Lodge of the West Gate of Mark Master Masons 1180, held its summer meeting recently in the Barnstaple Masonic Temple, with more than thirty brethren attending. Joining the brethren of the lodge on this occasion were Worshipful Brother Brett Varker, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Deputy Provincial Grand Master Designate, and Right Worshipful Brother Peter Balsom, the Past Provincial Grand Master. Accompanying them were Worshipful Brother Christopher Elliot, the Provincial Grand Secretary and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Designate and Worshipful Brother Julian Turner, the Provincial Grand Junior Warden.

The first labour of the evening was to invest the two Wardens of the lodge, who sadly had been unable to attend the proclamation meeting of the lodge. Worshipful Brother Turner kindly agreed to deliver the address to the wardens, which was undertaken in an excellent manner.

The main event of the evening was to undertake a ceremony of advancement, and this would be there first advancee for a couple of years. The Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Michael O’Meera conducted the ceremony in a superb but relaxed manner. It was lovely to see that in the absence of some key officers, some of the visitors agreed to stand-in, and performed their duties in an excellent fashion. Most importantly, the candidate was impressed and delighted with the ceremony, recognising the significance of the story contained within it.

Following the ceremony, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Varker, presented their newly advanced member, Brother Simon Elton, with his Provincial tie and a personal letter from the Provincial Grand Master welcoming him into this wonderful degree.

Following the meeting, the brethren retired to the upstairs refectory and enjoyed a superb festive board, organised by Worshipful Brother Turner, which rounded off a wonderful evening.