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Berks And Oxon.
BERKS AND OXON .
AMONG the notable events which have signalised this notable year must be included the annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of Berks and Oxon , held with unqualified success on Wednesday , 14 th inst ., under the banner of the Porchester Lodge , No . 27 , at Newbury—the oldest in the Province , the Worshipful Master for the current year being Bro . E . Hill , who , with the Officers and Brethren , was most energetic and painstaking in carrying out the local arrangements .
Since the resignation of the Earl of Jersey , some years ago , when his lordship left England to fill a Colonial Governorship , this Province has been presided over by Viscount Valentia , M . P ., who is extremely popular in the Masonic world , as elsewhere , and it was a source of great pleasure and satisfaction to the Brethren on Wednesday to be favoured with the presence of their distinguished chief .
The Province comprises six Lodges , and it is the usual practice to visit each Lodge in succession , a pleasing feature in connection with the Mark Provincial Grand Lodge being that ladies are enabled to join the Brethren in their festivities after the transaction of the ordinary business . In fact , there is a
growing tendency towards making Masonry attractive to the gentler sex , who are not only admitted to the festivals occasionally held in behalf of the funds of the great Charitable Institutions of the Order , but also to Lodge gatherings know as " ladies' nights . " Hitherto river trips have generally been associated with the
Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , but on the present occasion a lovely drive through a picturesque tract of country formed an attractive item in the programme , Bro . Charles E . Keyser Past Master of the Porchester Lodge having generously invited the Brethren and their lady friends to pass the after part of the day in the charming grounds of Aldermaston Court .
The Brethren from different parts of the Province began to arrive in Newbury between ten and eleven o ' clock , and the preliminary Committees were held at the Municipal Buildings , which had been placed at the service of the Masons , the Town Hall having been fitted up as a Lodge room by Bro . J . B . Ingram , and the Council Chamber being apportioned to the use of the
P . G . Officers . The bulk of the Brethren and ladies , however , reached Newbury by the midday train , and while the official business was being disposed of the lady visitors , who were received at the Municipal Buildings by Mrs . Hill , wife of the Worshipful Master , were conducted by Bro . Stephen Knight jun . over the Parish Church and other buildings of interest , with which they appeared much pleased .
The Porchester Lodge met at 12 o ' clock , and appointed Past Masters Keyser , Cosburn , Head , Harrold , and Belcher to receive Lord Valentia and the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge , who walked in procession to the Town Hall , and were accorded the usual honours .
Viscount Valentia having opened the Lodge in due form , the anthem " Hail , Eternal , by Whose aid all created things were made " was sung . Brother W . Bavenscroft , of Beading , the indefatigable Prov . Grand Secretary , read the roll of the Prov . Grand Lodge Officers , who severally responded , after which the roll of the individual Lodges was called .
The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held under the banner of the Jersey Lodge , at Maidenhead , last year , having been read and confirmed , the Prov . Grand Secretary presented his report of the various Lodges , which was of a satisfactory character ,
showing an increased number of advancements . The report was unanimously adopted , as also was that of the Provincial Grand Treasurer Bro . E . Margrett , the financial position of the Province exhibiting a decided improvement .
The Provincial Grand Master , in complimentary terms , proposed the re-election of Bro . Margrett as Provincial Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master Bro . John Tomkins , and unanimously adopted .
The Provincial Grand Secretary read letters of apology for non-attendance from several Brethren . Bro . W . B . Beed W . M . of the Leopold Lodge , Beading , invited the Provincial Grand Lodge to assemble in that town next year .
The Prov . Grand Master thanked Bro . Beed , and said he felt quite sure that on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge and the Brethren generally , he might safely accept the kind invitation just given . They had . a pleasant recollection of the cordial reception they had always met with at Beading , and they would be only too pleased to visit the town next summer .
The Provincial Grand Secretary moved a vote of thanks to the Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren of the Porchester Lodge , for the kind and hospitable manner in which they had received the Provincial Grand Lodge on this occasion , which was only another instance of the good feeling and fellowship which the Newbury Masons always extended to visiting Brethren . The Prov . Grand Treasurer said the arrangements for the reception
Berks And Oxon.
of the Provincial Grand Lodge had undoubtedly involved the expenditure of much time and trouble , and it afforded him much pleasure to seoohd the motion . ' Lord Valentia said he most cordially supported the resolution , and he felt sure that all the Brethren were grateful for the kind
reception given . The proposal was then carried by acclamation , and , Bro . Hill , W . M ., in reply , assured Lord Valentia and the Provincial Grand Lodge that it had given him and the Brethren of the . Porchester Lodge great pleasure to receive them , and they hoped to be honoured with another visit from the Provincial Grand Lodge in due course . ' " - ]&? :
The Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year were then appointed and invested as follow :
Bro . John Tomkins - - - - Deputy Charles E . Keyser . . .. - - - Senior Warden "'" Charles Batting .... Junior Warden Rev . A . T . Morland - - - Chaplain Edward Margrett - - - - Treasurer Alfred E . Preston ' - - ' - - Master Overseer
William R . Nicholas .... . Senior Overseer G . H . Annetts .... Junior Overseer J . N . Day - ' - { - - Registrar of Marks W . Ravenscroft - . - Secretary Issac Fowler - ' - - Senior Deacon W . B . Biddies - - - - Junior Deacon
Robert C . Davey - Inspector of Works F . A . Sargeant ¦ ••¦ •* - - ¦ - - Director of Ceremonies W . A . C . Slay . - - - -. Assist . Dir . of Cers . E . R . Bourne ----- Sword Bearer C . H . Dodd - ¦ , - - - Standard Bearer
Algernon M . Shepherd - - - Organist W . C . Long - - - - Assistant Secretary A . H . Bull - . - - - , Inner Guard . R . C . Parr - - - - - 1 _ . , J . Moore - - - - - Stewards .
W . Hemrnmgs .-.. ) _ . G . Norwood - - . ¦ ¦ . I Tylers - The names of Brethren willing to represent the Province at the'next Festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund having been received , the concluding anthem , " Supreme Grand Master , God of Power , be with us in this solemn hour , " was sung , after which the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed .
Through the liberality of the W . M . Bro . Hill , light refreshments were served to the . Brethren and their , lady friends ,. by Mr . John Staples , of Nortbbrook Street . Shortly before three o ' clock the party , numbering nearly a hundred , took their seats in several roomy brakes , and drove , * via Pyle Hill , Greenham and Crookham Commons , Brimpton , and Wasing , through the village . of Aldermaston to Aldermaston Court , the stately seat of Bro .
Keyser , overlooking the pretty valley of the Kennet , through a scene of fresh-mown meads and waving corn-fields , now rapidly assuming a golden hue under the influence of the powerful . rays of the sun . The number of visitors was materially increased by arrivals of Brethren and ladies who had been unable to proceed via Newbury , and it is almost heedless to mention that the whole received a most cordial greeting from . Bro . and Mrs . Keyser .
The weather was splendid , and one and all expressed their appreciation of the natural beauties of this well wooded estate , the ancient oaks attracting special- attention . Some of the visitors repaired to the lake , and enjoyed a little boating , while others strolled about the park and grounds , which , together with the mansion and its many art treasures , were thrown open to
inspection . Bro . Keyser conducted a numerous party to the Parish Church , which the squire is restoring in a very perfect manner at his own cost . The interesting features of the sacred edifice were described , after which Bro . Keyser led the way through the shady yew tree walks and other attractive spots in
the immediate neighbourhood of the house . Towards five o ' clock the whole party congregated on the south lawn and terrace , where they were photographed by Mr . Walton Adams , of Beading , after whieh there was an adjournment to a spacious marquee , beneath which the visitors partook of a recherche banquet , on the kind invitation of Bro . Keyser , who presided .
Grace was sung by Bros . Percy Coward , Malcolm Boyle , Wilfrid Kearton , and Bertram Mills , of St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor , who also contributed greatly to the pleasure of the ' company by their vocal performances during the remainder of the afternoon , the accompanist being Brother W . B . Chapshaw P . P . G . Org . Bucks . A formulated toast list was dispensed with ,
and , owing to the shortness of time , the speeches were curtailed . Bro . Keyser , in eloquent and befitting language , dwelt upon the blessings which had been enjoyed during the long reign of Her Majesty , and proposed the toast of the Queen and Mark Masonry , which was drunk with enthusiasm , and the National Anthem was sung .
The Chairman next proposed the health of the Grand Mark Master the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Eoyal Family . Bro . Martin proposed , as a two-fold toast , the health of the Grand Mark Officers and that of the Provincial Grand Master Viscount Valentia . Whatever his lordship took in hand he did most thoroughly . As Provincial Grand Master he discharged
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Berks And Oxon.
BERKS AND OXON .
AMONG the notable events which have signalised this notable year must be included the annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of Berks and Oxon , held with unqualified success on Wednesday , 14 th inst ., under the banner of the Porchester Lodge , No . 27 , at Newbury—the oldest in the Province , the Worshipful Master for the current year being Bro . E . Hill , who , with the Officers and Brethren , was most energetic and painstaking in carrying out the local arrangements .
Since the resignation of the Earl of Jersey , some years ago , when his lordship left England to fill a Colonial Governorship , this Province has been presided over by Viscount Valentia , M . P ., who is extremely popular in the Masonic world , as elsewhere , and it was a source of great pleasure and satisfaction to the Brethren on Wednesday to be favoured with the presence of their distinguished chief .
The Province comprises six Lodges , and it is the usual practice to visit each Lodge in succession , a pleasing feature in connection with the Mark Provincial Grand Lodge being that ladies are enabled to join the Brethren in their festivities after the transaction of the ordinary business . In fact , there is a
growing tendency towards making Masonry attractive to the gentler sex , who are not only admitted to the festivals occasionally held in behalf of the funds of the great Charitable Institutions of the Order , but also to Lodge gatherings know as " ladies' nights . " Hitherto river trips have generally been associated with the
Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , but on the present occasion a lovely drive through a picturesque tract of country formed an attractive item in the programme , Bro . Charles E . Keyser Past Master of the Porchester Lodge having generously invited the Brethren and their lady friends to pass the after part of the day in the charming grounds of Aldermaston Court .
The Brethren from different parts of the Province began to arrive in Newbury between ten and eleven o ' clock , and the preliminary Committees were held at the Municipal Buildings , which had been placed at the service of the Masons , the Town Hall having been fitted up as a Lodge room by Bro . J . B . Ingram , and the Council Chamber being apportioned to the use of the
P . G . Officers . The bulk of the Brethren and ladies , however , reached Newbury by the midday train , and while the official business was being disposed of the lady visitors , who were received at the Municipal Buildings by Mrs . Hill , wife of the Worshipful Master , were conducted by Bro . Stephen Knight jun . over the Parish Church and other buildings of interest , with which they appeared much pleased .
The Porchester Lodge met at 12 o ' clock , and appointed Past Masters Keyser , Cosburn , Head , Harrold , and Belcher to receive Lord Valentia and the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge , who walked in procession to the Town Hall , and were accorded the usual honours .
Viscount Valentia having opened the Lodge in due form , the anthem " Hail , Eternal , by Whose aid all created things were made " was sung . Brother W . Bavenscroft , of Beading , the indefatigable Prov . Grand Secretary , read the roll of the Prov . Grand Lodge Officers , who severally responded , after which the roll of the individual Lodges was called .
The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held under the banner of the Jersey Lodge , at Maidenhead , last year , having been read and confirmed , the Prov . Grand Secretary presented his report of the various Lodges , which was of a satisfactory character ,
showing an increased number of advancements . The report was unanimously adopted , as also was that of the Provincial Grand Treasurer Bro . E . Margrett , the financial position of the Province exhibiting a decided improvement .
The Provincial Grand Master , in complimentary terms , proposed the re-election of Bro . Margrett as Provincial Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master Bro . John Tomkins , and unanimously adopted .
The Provincial Grand Secretary read letters of apology for non-attendance from several Brethren . Bro . W . B . Beed W . M . of the Leopold Lodge , Beading , invited the Provincial Grand Lodge to assemble in that town next year .
The Prov . Grand Master thanked Bro . Beed , and said he felt quite sure that on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge and the Brethren generally , he might safely accept the kind invitation just given . They had . a pleasant recollection of the cordial reception they had always met with at Beading , and they would be only too pleased to visit the town next summer .
The Provincial Grand Secretary moved a vote of thanks to the Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren of the Porchester Lodge , for the kind and hospitable manner in which they had received the Provincial Grand Lodge on this occasion , which was only another instance of the good feeling and fellowship which the Newbury Masons always extended to visiting Brethren . The Prov . Grand Treasurer said the arrangements for the reception
Berks And Oxon.
of the Provincial Grand Lodge had undoubtedly involved the expenditure of much time and trouble , and it afforded him much pleasure to seoohd the motion . ' Lord Valentia said he most cordially supported the resolution , and he felt sure that all the Brethren were grateful for the kind
reception given . The proposal was then carried by acclamation , and , Bro . Hill , W . M ., in reply , assured Lord Valentia and the Provincial Grand Lodge that it had given him and the Brethren of the . Porchester Lodge great pleasure to receive them , and they hoped to be honoured with another visit from the Provincial Grand Lodge in due course . ' " - ]&? :
The Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year were then appointed and invested as follow :
Bro . John Tomkins - - - - Deputy Charles E . Keyser . . .. - - - Senior Warden "'" Charles Batting .... Junior Warden Rev . A . T . Morland - - - Chaplain Edward Margrett - - - - Treasurer Alfred E . Preston ' - - ' - - Master Overseer
William R . Nicholas .... . Senior Overseer G . H . Annetts .... Junior Overseer J . N . Day - ' - { - - Registrar of Marks W . Ravenscroft - . - Secretary Issac Fowler - ' - - Senior Deacon W . B . Biddies - - - - Junior Deacon
Robert C . Davey - Inspector of Works F . A . Sargeant ¦ ••¦ •* - - ¦ - - Director of Ceremonies W . A . C . Slay . - - - -. Assist . Dir . of Cers . E . R . Bourne ----- Sword Bearer C . H . Dodd - ¦ , - - - Standard Bearer
Algernon M . Shepherd - - - Organist W . C . Long - - - - Assistant Secretary A . H . Bull - . - - - , Inner Guard . R . C . Parr - - - - - 1 _ . , J . Moore - - - - - Stewards .
W . Hemrnmgs .-.. ) _ . G . Norwood - - . ¦ ¦ . I Tylers - The names of Brethren willing to represent the Province at the'next Festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund having been received , the concluding anthem , " Supreme Grand Master , God of Power , be with us in this solemn hour , " was sung , after which the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed .
Through the liberality of the W . M . Bro . Hill , light refreshments were served to the . Brethren and their , lady friends ,. by Mr . John Staples , of Nortbbrook Street . Shortly before three o ' clock the party , numbering nearly a hundred , took their seats in several roomy brakes , and drove , * via Pyle Hill , Greenham and Crookham Commons , Brimpton , and Wasing , through the village . of Aldermaston to Aldermaston Court , the stately seat of Bro .
Keyser , overlooking the pretty valley of the Kennet , through a scene of fresh-mown meads and waving corn-fields , now rapidly assuming a golden hue under the influence of the powerful . rays of the sun . The number of visitors was materially increased by arrivals of Brethren and ladies who had been unable to proceed via Newbury , and it is almost heedless to mention that the whole received a most cordial greeting from . Bro . and Mrs . Keyser .
The weather was splendid , and one and all expressed their appreciation of the natural beauties of this well wooded estate , the ancient oaks attracting special- attention . Some of the visitors repaired to the lake , and enjoyed a little boating , while others strolled about the park and grounds , which , together with the mansion and its many art treasures , were thrown open to
inspection . Bro . Keyser conducted a numerous party to the Parish Church , which the squire is restoring in a very perfect manner at his own cost . The interesting features of the sacred edifice were described , after which Bro . Keyser led the way through the shady yew tree walks and other attractive spots in
the immediate neighbourhood of the house . Towards five o ' clock the whole party congregated on the south lawn and terrace , where they were photographed by Mr . Walton Adams , of Beading , after whieh there was an adjournment to a spacious marquee , beneath which the visitors partook of a recherche banquet , on the kind invitation of Bro . Keyser , who presided .
Grace was sung by Bros . Percy Coward , Malcolm Boyle , Wilfrid Kearton , and Bertram Mills , of St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor , who also contributed greatly to the pleasure of the ' company by their vocal performances during the remainder of the afternoon , the accompanist being Brother W . B . Chapshaw P . P . G . Org . Bucks . A formulated toast list was dispensed with ,
and , owing to the shortness of time , the speeches were curtailed . Bro . Keyser , in eloquent and befitting language , dwelt upon the blessings which had been enjoyed during the long reign of Her Majesty , and proposed the toast of the Queen and Mark Masonry , which was drunk with enthusiasm , and the National Anthem was sung .
The Chairman next proposed the health of the Grand Mark Master the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Eoyal Family . Bro . Martin proposed , as a two-fold toast , the health of the Grand Mark Officers and that of the Provincial Grand Master Viscount Valentia . Whatever his lordship took in hand he did most thoroughly . As Provincial Grand Master he discharged