Right Worshipful Brother David Charles Purdie, the Provincial Grand Master, joined the brethren of the Sir Francis Drake Lodge of Mark Master Masons 617 in Plymouth recently for their installation meeting. He was accompanied on his travels by Right Worshipful Brother Peter Hawken MBE, Past Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Issac, Past Provincial Grand Master for the Mark Province of Cornwall, Right Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and Very Worshipful Brother Martin Smith, Past Grand Junior Overseer and the Provincial Grand Chaplain. They were further accompanied by a host of Grand Officers including Worshipful Brother David Eldridge, the Grand Inner Guard.

Joining them were a great number of Provincial Grand Officers including Worshipful Brother Barry Purdie, the Provincial Grand Senior Warden, Worshipful Brother Robert Hendy, the Provincial Grand Junior Warden, Worshipful Brother Andrew Hall, the Provincial Grand Master Overseer, Worshipful Brother Robert Truesdale, the Provincial Grand Senior Overseer and Worshipful Brother Jon Webber, the Provincial Grand Junior Overseer and Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary.

  

It was also noticed that present at this meeting were some special members of the lodge, who were also Heads of Order, namely Worshipful Brother Richard Thomas, Provincial Prior of the Knights Templar and the Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Gary Peard, District Grand Master of the Royal and Select Masters, and Worshipful Brother Barry Slade, District Grand Prefect of the Allied Masonic Degrees.

The next main event of the evening was to see the installation of the new Worshipful Master of this fine lodge. Worshipful Brother Richard Thomas went on to install his successor, Worshipful Brother George Moore, in what was an outstanding and sincere ceremony. Having been installed into the chair of Adoniram, Worshipful Brother Moore then went on to appoint a very strong team of officers to support him throughout his year.

Following the meeting, more than 40 brethren retired to the refectory and enjoyed a wonderful festive board. The atmosphere was warm and friendly with humour and fun that is enjoyed by all those who are members of the Mark Degree.