The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother David Charles Purdie, joined the brethren of the Hawton 100 lodge of Royal Ark Mariners recently to help them celebrate their 50th birthday. He was joined by a number of distinguished brethren including Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brett Varker, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and Worshipful Brother Christopher Elliott, the Provincial Grand Secretary, along with other distinguished brethren from around the Province.
The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Charlie Cobham who, after undertaking the initial items of business, invited Right Worshipful Brother Peter Hawken MBE, Past Provincial Grand Master and member of Grand Masters Royal Ark Council, to take the chair of lodge. It was a very special moment for the lodge, as Right Worshipful Brother Peter was the only remaining founder of the lodge from 1975, and he felt honoured to hold the sceptre of the lodge for this special evening.
During the meeting an emotional eulogy was read by Brother Peter Keaty following the very recent passing of Worshipful Brother John Smerdon, Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. John was member of the lodge for 22 years, and a stalwart within freemasonry across all the orders within Devonshire and the surrounding provinces. He will be missed by many.
The Provincial party were announced, and the Provincial Grand Master then proceeded to take the chair. After doing so, he addressed the brethren present with some historical facts, not only about the lodge, but also what else was happening in the world in 1975, with a notable fact that a pint of beer cost 20p at that time.
The Provincial Secretary read the warrant of the lodge and then a short history was read out by Right Worshipful Brother Hawken, followed by the oration from the Provincial Grand Chaplain. The Provincial Secretary then read the Jubilee warrant which the Provincial Grand Master then presented to the lodge. A Provincial citation for the 50th Anniversary was also then presented to the Worshipful Master, and then all the brethren of the Hawton lodge, together with the Provincial Team, joined the Provincial Grand Master for a celebration photograph.
The brethren were then treated to a full rendition of the Royal Ark Mariner Tracing board, which was delivered by four of the members of the lodge, in an exemplary manner.
The meeting ended and more than 50 brethren retired to the festive board, where a wonderful spread was put on by the caterers, including the traditional birthday cake for the lodge.
