VWBro Michael Richards Installed as WM of Mark Grand Stewards Lodge - Monday 10th December 2018

 

Grand Assembly of Royal Ark Mariners - 11th December 2018

L to r from front: WBro. Des Hinshelwood, PrGDepSec, RWBro. Bob Stokes, RAMGR, PrGM, WBro. Michael Richards, RAMGR, WBro. John Harris, RAMGR, WBro Brian Elliott, RAMGR, DepPrGM, WBro. Tony Greene, RAMGR, PrGTreas, WBro. Richard Asher, RAMGR, WBro John Statham, PrRAMGR, WBro. Michael Watts, RAMGR and WBro. D. Balmer, PrRAMGR, PrDGDC. 

At the Annual Assembly of Royal Ark Mariner held at Gt Queen Street on the 11th December, the Pro Grand Master, MWBro. Raymond John Smith invested over 300 brethren of the Order with Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. A group of thirteen brethren of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Province attended in support of WBro. Richard Anderson of Gt.Ouse Lodge of RAM, WBro. John Harris of The Graftonian Lodge of RAM and WBro. Michael Watts of Powys Lodge of RAM, all of whom received their RAMGR appointments witnessed by the largest number attending an Assembly for a number of years.

Following the meeting the group dined in the Connaught Rooms and enjoyed a convivial evening together. Unfortunately, WBro. Anderson, WBro. David Sowerby, PrGSec and WBro. Richard Bedells, PrGDC were unable to dine with us. Also not pictured, but seated with members of the Royal Ark Council was RWBro, George Bonham, GMRAC (HC) and PPrGM.

Presentation to St. John Ambulance of an ambulance support vehicle – 1st December 2018

The Northamptonshire vehicle is one of over 50 mobile treatment centres, ambulances and support vehicles which are being handed over in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands in a phased programme from October 2018 to early 2019.

The vehicles have been secured by a capital grant by the Mark Benevolent Fund of over £3M to the Order of St.John with the specific aim of providing new vehicles to the operational arm of the Order, St.John Ambulance.

The Northamptonshire vehicle will be put to use at events in the county as volunteers deliver life saving first aid to members of the public.

At the handover ceremony, Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Bob Stokes said “18 years ago the MBF carried out a similar exercise donating vehicles in every county so that the charity could continue its life saving mission.  We look forward to continuing our long relationship with St.John Ambulance and the Order of St.John over the coming decades and sincerely hope that this vehicle will provide many years of service for the Northamptonshire volunteers”

In reply Alan Boaden, Chair of the Northamptonshire County Priory Group said “The donation of this vehcicle is wonderful news for both counties and will significantly help enhance patient care and contribute to more lives saved locally.  We are immensely grateful to the Mark Master Masons of the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire and to the Mark Benevolent Fund for their generosity and we look forward to seeing the positive use made by local St.John Ambulance volunteers in the future as they continue the charity’s life saving mission”

Before presenting the keys of the support vehicle vehicle to Peter Castle, the Provincial Grand Master called upon W.Bro. Rev’d Tony Avery, the Provincial Grand Chaplain who then delivered a dedication address and blessed the vehicle. 

Brian Elliott

Photos: Ian McLachlan/Darren Coleman

l to r: Peter Castle - St.John Ambulance, Darren Coleman– MBF Charities and Communications Co-Ordinator, R.W.Bro Bob Stokes– ProvGM, W.Bro. Brian Elliott– DepProvGM, W.Bro. Richard Bedells– ProvGDC and W.Bro. Rev’d Tony Avery– Provincial Grand Chaplain.