Friday 23 December 2016

23rd December 2016 - Penguins Mark Well

Thought for the day :"So, this Thesaurus I just bought has only blank pages - I have no words to describe how angry I am!"

Found this little clip and was rather fascinated ..

11,000 penguins fight 4,000 Santas

But in other news - the Mark Masons Christmas newsletter sums up some of the good deeds done this year ....

Mark Masons’ Hall London December 2016

Dear Brethren,

Once again it’s been another packed year!

In January the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO opened the Smile Support & Care Centre for disabled children in Waterlooville, Hampshire following a grant of £169,000 by the Mark Benevolent Fund (M.B.F.) The M.B.F. quickly stepped in again as flooding ravaged the north of England and Wales and £100,000 was distributed amongst stricken Provinces.

April saw Most Illustrious Companion Kessick J. Jones Installed as Grand Master of the Order of the Royal and Select Masters in the footsteps of Most Illustrious Companion J. Alan Wright who served as Grand Master with distinction for 11 fruitful years.

In June Prince Michael of Kent celebrated his 34th year as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of our esteemed Order. We are honoured by his commitment and dedication to Mark Masonry. The 148th Mark Benevolent Fund Anniversary Festival in July was hosted by the Province of Devonshire in Torquay raising a magnificent £1,014,000. This is only the second time in the history of the M.B.F. that the one million pound mark has been exceeded. A sterling effort!

Sadly, August brought a devastating earthquake to the centre of Italy. The M.B.F. immediately sent a grant of £25,000 to the District for the relief of Brethren and their families affected by the disaster.
I announced my retirement from the office of Grand Secretary in September this year and this will take effect from the June Investiture meeting. My successor will be your Deputy Grand Secretary, V.W.Bro. Ryan A. Williams, P.G.J.O. It has been a great privilege to have been able to serve as Grand Secretary and I wish Ryan every success in this most challenging of roles.

These are just a few of the events during 2016 and I am sure you will agree that the administration and catering teams at Mark Masons’ Hall, have continued to pull out all of the stops to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. Looking forward, 2017 brings the M.B.F. Walk to take place in May and is set in some of London’s most famous parks, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. We hope that many of you from the Provinces will join us in this most worthwhile of fundraising events.

Finally on behalf of everyone at Mark Masons’ Hall, may I take this opportunity, during these turbulent times, to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful, Healthy and Prosperous 2017.

R.W.Bro. Lt Cdr Angus PD Hannagan, RD, P.G.J.W. Grand Secretary

And for the alchemists - a Christmas Tree

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