A number of distinguished visitors from around the Province joined the brethren of the Ashburton Mark Lodge 1038 in the town at their most recent meeting, including Very Worshipful Brother Martin Smith, Past Grand Junior Overseer and the Provincial Grand Chaplain. More than 30 brethren had gathered in their temple ready to welcome a new member being advanced into the order of Mark Master Masons in Devonshire.

The lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Jon Webber, who was taking a night off from his roles as the Provincial Grand Junior Overseer and Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary. The main item of business was to see the Advancement of Brother Major Raymond Bowden into the degree. The ceremony was carried out in an excellent and sincere manner by the Worshipful Master and his team, with special mentions to Worshipful Brother Martyn Lawrence from the Devon Mark Support Team who stood in at short notice as the Senior Deacon. His movement around the quarry of Ashburton was faultless, and it was if he had been working there for many years.  Worshipful Brothers Gilson Rowe, Russell Dearing and Professor Stephen Michell assisted the Worshipful Master by undertaking the excellent delivery of the signs, secrets, investing and the Working tools.

After the meeting, the brethren retired to the refectory where they joined together in fun and harmony, which was a fitting welcome to the newest member of both their lodge and the Province.