ELEVEN members of Sir Bevil Granville Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1231, which meets in Bude, attended the Annual Provincial Meeting in Newquay recently.

This is the annual gathering of all Mark lodges in Cornwall and due to the popularity of the event among freemasons no masonic hall was large enough so the event took place at The Atlantic Hotel.

The meeting was preceded by a luncheon attended by 200 members and presided over by Kevin Hicks the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark degree in Cornwall.

He welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support. Numerous other provinces were represented with delegates coming from as far away as Kent, Hertfordshire, London and Wales as well as the southwest region. At this meeting reports are given about masonic charitable work, new officers are appointed, elected and invested with the collars of their particular office. Reports are also given on the health and welfare of members and the treasurer’s report is presented.

Reports were received from the Charity Steward about the Cornwall Mark Benevolent Fund and there was a talk about the national charity, The Mark Benevolent Fund. This fund has a ‘Worthy Causes Committee’, which considers applications and makes grants. Recent beneficiaries include the RNLI and Shelterbox.

An important part of the meeting is always the investiture of those receiving honours at provincial level. Two members of Sir Bevil Granvil Lodge were honoured this year by the Provincial Grand Master.

Trevor House and John Bullman were selected for their work within the lodge in particular and Mark masonry in general.

Much to the delight of its members Sir Bevil Granville Lodge was awarded a Gold collaret in recognition of its charitable fundraising efforts. This is an inscribed medal attached to a small collar, which is worn by the master of the lodge during meetings.

The award was received on behalf of the lodge by the recently installed master, Peter Lambourn. A very enjoyable and interesting day was had by all.