On Thursday 22 February 2024, the Installation meeting of Unity Royal Ark Mariner Lodge 783 was held at Crediton.

The meeting was quite a star studied affair, with 30 brethren present, including Right Worshipful Brother David Purdie, the Provincial Grand Master and Worshipful Brother Chris Elliott, the Provincial Grand Secretary. The brethren witnessed the Installing Commander, Worshipful Brother Rob Palmer, the Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary, install Worshipful Brother Brett Varker, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, as the new Worshipful Commander.

Even though Brett was already an Installed Commander, the full ceremony was undertaken. This was because Brett had previously installed Rob as Commander of Cornerstone RAM Lodge 1992 in July last year, and the two agreed to reciprocate, with Rob undertaking the full ceremony to Install Brett into the Chair of Unity RAM Lodge.

As the Lodge Director of Ceremonies was recovering from a recent operation, the Past Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Peter Balsom, kindly acted as the Director of Ceremonies for this meeting. No pressure there then !!!

The ceremony passed off successfully, with a smooth Installation taking place.

Everyone descended downstairs for the festive board, with biscuits and cheese being an added treat courtesy of the new Worshipful Commander.

Many thanks to the Scribe, W.Bro's. Peter Brewer, and David White, the Immediate Past Commander, who set the Lodge up beforehand, and tidied up the next day.

Pictured are W.Bro. Rob Palmer, together with the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. David Purdie, and W.Bro Brett Varker at the Festive Board.