Launch of The Travelling Ark

On Tuesday, 21st January 2025, at St. Giles Masonic Centre in Colchester, Constantine Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 145 held its regular meeting not only to elevate a candidate into the Degree but also to receive the Travelling Ark, as it was launched on its way around the Province as part of the M.B.F. Festival Essex 2030 fundraising activities.
The Lodge was opened, and the Worshipful Commander, W. Bro. Brian Dack, welcomed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Richard Goodwin and 13 other guests to the meeting and offered him the Sceptre, which was politely declined as there was a busy agenda for the meeting and added that the Lodge would be best served by having the rightful occupant in the Chair for the meeting.
Bro. Stephen Chandler was elevated in an excellent ceremony by the Worshipful Commander, with the Working Tools being presented by W.Bro. Bob Crow of St. Nicholas Lodge and with W.Bro. Colin Kendrick acting as Senior Warden. Bro. Stephen was congratulated by the Worshipful Commander and welcomed into Constantine Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners and presented with the Lodge By-Laws and a copy of the Ritual inscribed with a message from his proposer, W. Bro. Andy Hardie. Bro. Stephen was also warmly welcomed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master into the Order on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master and trusted that he would enjoy his time in Constantine Lodge.
The Lodge was opened, and the Worshipful Commander, W. Bro. Brian Dack, welcomed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Richard Goodwin and 13 other guests to the meeting and offered him the Sceptre, which was politely declined as there was a busy agenda for the meeting and added that the Lodge would be best served by having the rightful occupant in the Chair for the meeting.
Bro. Stephen Chandler was elevated in an excellent ceremony by the Worshipful Commander, with the Working Tools being presented by W.Bro. Bob Crow of St. Nicholas Lodge and with W.Bro. Colin Kendrick acting as Senior Warden. Bro. Stephen was congratulated by the Worshipful Commander and welcomed into Constantine Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners and presented with the Lodge By-Laws and a copy of the Ritual inscribed with a message from his proposer, W. Bro. Andy Hardie. Bro. Stephen was also warmly welcomed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master into the Order on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master and trusted that he would enjoy his time in Constantine Lodge.

The Dep.Prov.G.M rose and called on the assistance of W.Bro. Roy Kaye to bring out the box containing the Travelling Ark. Richard then recounted that in making sure that both he and his accompanying D.C. Bro. Mark Lawrence were prepared for the presentation before the meeting, they attempted to open the box by trying to lift the lid, all to no avail. Undeterred, they thought they might have to resort to getting an awl and forcing the lid off the box. However, W.Bro. Roy Kaye, who provided the box for the safe keeping of the Travelling Ark and will be responsible for organising its journey around the Province, then came along and simply pulled the draw out of the box to reveal the Travelling Ark. Apparently, some choice words were exchanged, with Richard remarking that he would get his own back on Roy. This precursor to the presentation was met with much laughter by the assembled Brethren.
The Dep.Prov.G.M then gave an overview of the objective of the Travelling Ark and its journey round the Province, which culminated with its presentation at the 2030 Festival. He also thanked W.Bro. Robin Morley for making the Travelling Ark, who was also present at the meeting to see it launched on its way and to Roy Kaye who would be overseeing its journey round the Province.
The Travelling Ark was then presented to the Worshipful Commander with everyone amazed at its beauty and splendour in its case. The Worshipful Commander thanked the Dep.Prov.G.M and Roy and Robin and requested that the Secretary record the Lodge’s gratitude in the Minutes to be the first recipient of the Travelling Ark and of its launch around the Province.
The Charity Steward then presented a cheque for £500 to the Dep.Prov.G.M, who thanked the Lodge for the very generous donation.
In what was a very busy meeting, a Grand Lodge Certificate was presented to Bro. Andrew Hastings by W. Bro. John Robertson, who congratulated him on joining the Order and this Lodge.
After the remaining formalities, the Lodge was closed.
The Dep.Prov.G.M then gave an overview of the objective of the Travelling Ark and its journey round the Province, which culminated with its presentation at the 2030 Festival. He also thanked W.Bro. Robin Morley for making the Travelling Ark, who was also present at the meeting to see it launched on its way and to Roy Kaye who would be overseeing its journey round the Province.
The Travelling Ark was then presented to the Worshipful Commander with everyone amazed at its beauty and splendour in its case. The Worshipful Commander thanked the Dep.Prov.G.M and Roy and Robin and requested that the Secretary record the Lodge’s gratitude in the Minutes to be the first recipient of the Travelling Ark and of its launch around the Province.
The Charity Steward then presented a cheque for £500 to the Dep.Prov.G.M, who thanked the Lodge for the very generous donation.
In what was a very busy meeting, a Grand Lodge Certificate was presented to Bro. Andrew Hastings by W. Bro. John Robertson, who congratulated him on joining the Order and this Lodge.
After the remaining formalities, the Lodge was closed.