Newsletter

The 2025 Festival

During Lockdown the members of the Festival Committee have been beavering away and the Committee is delighted to report that Grand Lodge has approved the Examination Schools in Oxford as the venue for the Festival Banquet.

This is going to be an event that you will not want to miss.

In years to come you will want to use that well used phrase  I was there! 

You can all show your support now by buying a Festival Jewel and by purchasing Festival merchandise.

Look out for a representative of the Committee attending your meetings.

I hope that you can now start to enjoy your Mark Freemasonry once more.

VW.Bro Barry Alistair Prior, Deputy Provincial Grand Master

Mark Lodge Meeting Dates (Oct-Dec)

Installation Dates are displayed in bold italic.

Lodge	Centre	October	November	December
Abbey Lodge No. 225	Abingdon		Thu, 25
Alfred Lodge No. 247	Oxford	Wed, 20		Wed, 15
Cherwell Lodge No. 847	Banbury		Tue, 30
Marlborough Lodge No. 980	Woodstock		Tue, 09
Thames Lodge No. 1183	Henley		Fri, 26
St. Mary's Lodge No. 1242	Thame	Fri, 15
Weyland Lodge No. 1305	Bicester			Tue, 07
Installed Mark Masters' Lodge No. 1330	Wallingford	Fri, 22
Windrush Car And Motorcycle Lodge No. 1386	Witney		Fri, 12	Fri, 10
Wychwood Lodge No. 1443	Burford	Thu, 28
Godstow Lodge No. 1546	Woodstock	Wed, 13

Royal Ark Mariner Lodge Meeting Dates (Oct-Dec)

Installation Dates are displayed in bold italic.

Lodge	Centre	October	November	December
Oxford University Lodge of RAM No. 55	Oxford		Sat, 06
The Abbey Lodge of RAM No. 225	Abingdon		Fri, 05
The Alfred Lodge of RAM No. 247	Oxford	Wed, 20		Wed, 15
The Cherwell Lodge of RAM No. 847	Banbury		Tue, 02
The Marlborough Lodge of RAM No. 980	Woodstock		Wed, 17
Installed Commanders' Lodge of RAM No. 1330	Wallingford			Wed, 01
Windrush Lodge of RAM No. 1386	Witney		Friday, 12	Fri, 10
Bowyer Lodge of RAM No. 1655	Burford			Thu, 02
Menatschim Lodge of RAM No. 1838	Oxford	Mon, 18

Golden Hind Fundraiser

In aid of The MBF Annual Festival 2025, Oxfordshire

The most nautical of Ark Mariner events took place when over 50 brethren and guests assembled aboard Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, for the launch of University Mark / Oxford University RAM No. 55's fundraising for the 2025 Festival.
The ship is, of course, a replica, but one that has itself sailed the seven seas for over forty years before being docked in London's Southbank. We were among the first groups to visit after its recent restoration, aimed at making it a truly authentic replica, though happily one inauthentic feature was a well-stocked bar, meaning we were not exclusively limited to grog rations.

The afternoon started with an emergency meeting of the Cork; a degree so ancient that its origins have been entirely lost in the mists of time. Many members of No. 55 were already members of this degree, having been involved in its resurrection over 20 years ago, but we were joined by the Great Admiral, a solemn assembly of senior London Masons and a distinguished visitor to introduce some nine new members into the Order. These included Past Masters and Brethren of No. 55, our Provincial Grand Master, and his distinguished predecessor. Each of them treated their induction with every bit of the dignity, awe, and reverence it deserved. The meeting was expertly chaired by the acting Admiral, Bro Christmas, who ensured that those present both enjoyed themselves and contributed a vast number of coins in aid of the Festival.

Following the 'formal' part of the meeting we were joined by a number of Masonic and non-Masonic guests, wives and sweethearts (in some cases all four), for drinks and nibbles on deck. For most of us, it was the first chance we'd had in nearly two years to see Masonic friends, in such a convivial gathering.

Perhaps the most cheering aspect of the day was the overwhelming support we had from so many people from outside the Province (even extending to donations from overseas), giving us confidence we were not alone in our efforts. We raised something around £1,000 for the Festival, a respectable start, after so long being unable to meet in person. But more importantly still, it was a great way to launch our fundraising efforts, of which this is bound to be the first of many.

Fundraising Events for the Festival

Lodge Coordination Committee Report

Whilst regular giving is the most efficient and productive way to raise money for Festivals, fund-raising events are also hugely important! They raise funds which are much needed, but they also involve lots of us working together to raise awareness of our Mark Festival and having a great time to boot! They are also a wonderful way to involve our families and friends who are not Mark Master Masons.

Even more significantly, the Oxfordshire Mark Masonic Benevolent Association (OMMBA) will match pound-for-pound any monies raised by a Lodge or group of Lodges working together to organise an event for the benefit of the Festival, up to a maximum of £1,000. In addition, OMMBA will donate £100 to any fund-raising effort by an individual Brother, provided that the Secretary of OMMBA is notified in advance of the intended event. Adrian Barlow and Jonathan Rose have both done long sponsored walks already for the Festival and I will start a 2025 miles sponsored bike ride (over a long period) from 1st February 2022. The hope is that such events will involve as many members of the Lodge(s) as possible, including families and friends.

The Oxford University Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 55 kicked off their fund-raising with a drinks party on board the Golden Hinde in Southwark, along with a special meeting of the Fleet Cork Board which illuminated various motley wastrels in the cause of charity, including the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark in Oxfordshire and his immediate predecessor. The two Ians and the others were good sports and helped raise money for the MBF in the process!

We are all just getting back into our Mark and RAM lodges and have Installations and candidates to Advance and Elevate, but I hope that Lodges can soon start to think about putting on fun events as 2025 will soon be upon us ...

Lodges will get support and we have a small team who will get stuck in to help:

      Grahame Lee, coord-north(at)oxonMBF2025.org.uk – North Area lodges (Bowyer, Cherwell, Weyland and Wychwood);

      Adrian Barlow, coord-central(at)oxonMBF2025.org.uk – Central Area lodges (Godstow, Marlborough, St Mary’s and Windrush);

      Allan Dishington, coord-south(at)oxonMBF2025.org.uk – South Area lodges (Abbey, Alfred, Mentaschim and Thames, plus University with me).

      Please replace '(at)' with the '@' symbol in email addresses.

As a committee, we want to lead by example. The four of us, led by Allan, are planning a Mark Provincial Ceilidh at Witney when all the work on the kitchen at that Masonic Centre is complete. We hope to have that event in April and more information will follow!

Please do invite us to meetings (and we can sell you tokens and ties too!) and get our help with any event you want to plan. We have lots of ideas from duck races to golf days, promise auctions to race nights, inter-Lodge football matches and many others. I will also be offering lots of you (after festive boards) the chance to become a member of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Turtles (a very silly spoof order dating from the 1940s) with a one-off payment towards our Festival; you know you want to join the Oxfordshire Pond ...

Please do get in touch - we are keen to help!

Matthew Christmas
coordination(at)oxonMBF2025.org.uk
Chair, Lodge Fund-raising Co-ordination Sub-Committee

Jonathan’s Walk from East to West

In aid of The MBF Annual Festival 2025, Oxfordshire

Brother Jonathan Rose spent 5 days in August walking 80+ miles from Cambridge to Oxford, to raise money for the Mark Benevolent Fund Annual Festival 2025, Oxfordshire.

Naturally, he was competing to raise more money than Brother Adrian Barlow's 'The Mad March Hare Challenge' earlier this year.

He managed to raise an outstanding £2,705.77‬, including a donation of £100 from OMMBA.

We would like to extend our thanks to Jonathan for his hard work and generosity in supporting the Festival with this fundraising venture.

This further highlights the myriad ways that brethren of this province can choose to support our Festival fundraising.

A Day at Newbury Races

In aid of The MBF Annual Festival 2025, Oxfordshire

Unlucky for some, but not for us. On Friday 13th August, 27 members, family and friends took on the bookies at Newbury Racecourse.

The race day was the fifth time that the Mark Province had been to Newbury and although the numbers were down on previous years, due to Covid-19, all were treated to a wonderful day of racing.

As in previous years, the 1st floor of the Berkshire Stand was set up as our base of operations.

With Premier Enclosure tickets, the racegoers had access to all areas. Some opted to hang around the undercover seating area, whilst others preferred the comfort of the Long Room area, with its excellent views of the Winning Post and easy access to the bookies (not to mention the bar).

Our group ranged from the seasoned racegoers, who checked out the runners and riders the day before, to those who just went by the 'one in the nice colour'. However, all were equally vocal in cheering on their horses over the line.

Unfortunately, no-one had the 125/1 shot which won the 4th race, although, judging by how many people went to the bookies to collect their winnings after the race, neither did the majority of others at the course.

My own personal highlight was having winners in the first two races – thought I'd found the secret – unfortunately though, my lucky streak finished all too soon and I ended up giving it all back to the bookies over the rest of the afternoon. Maybe I should have taken a leaf out of our Provincial Charity Steward's book and quit whilst I was ahead – he ended the day 19p in profit. Unfortunately, this was the only profit that I heard of on the day, so the bookies won again. Not to worry though – there's always next year – and we'll make sure it's not on Friday 13th...

W Bro. Allan Dishington PAGDC, Event Organiser 

Provincial MBF Festival Golf Day

In aid of The MBF Annual Festival 2025, Oxfordshire

The MBF Oxfordshire Festival golf day was held at Badgemore Park Golf Club on 17th September and raised over £700. Twenty-four Mark Masons and their friends had an enjoyable day in perfect golfing conditions, even though this may not have been reflected in their scores.

The event organisers, John Grout, David Cumming and Allan Dishington, have reason to smile after the successful golf day at Badgemore Park.

Gary Bracey, the winner with 37 points, is presented with The John Grout Trophy by ... John Grout!	Gary Bracey won the individual Stableford event and John Grout presented him with The John Grout Trophy (so named on the insistence of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to recognise all the hard work John does for the Province).
Second and third places went to John Walmsley and Selby Crocombe, who both missed out on the top prize by one point.

Graham Ellis looks the other way as John Walmsley is presented with his prizes for second place.	Selby Crocombe receives his prizes for third place from John Grout.
The Festival Secretary was somewhat surprisingly leading the 'longest drive' competition, until overtaken by Graham McGowan-Smyth who also carried off the 'nearest the pin' prize.
Graham McGowan-Smyth is grateful that one of his prizes is a travel bag; he needed to carry the prizes for 'longest drive' and 'nearest the pin'.	The convivial atmosphere as Mark Masons and their friends share well-deserved liquid refreshments.

The Province is very grateful to Jon Connell and his staff at Badgemore Golf Club for donating green fees and for looking after us so well on a most enjoyable and not-too-competitive day.

The Festival Secretary thanks everyone who attended a most enjoyable event, as well as thanking Badgemore Park for their support.

Reminisces from a Defendants'
Personal Injury Lawyer

These stories pre-date the requirement to disclose information to the opponent and when private detectives were less well regulated.

 I can't work because I can't bend my back and
I have to walk with a stick 

We were first alerted to the fact that this claim might be dodgy when the local staff manager reported that at a joint staff meeting discussing Christmas donations to sick employees, the Claimants' brother piped up and said:

 He doesn't need help - he is raking it in from his small holding 

Although the claimant lived in the South West, I instructed a firm of Enquiry Agents based in the North staffed by ex-Manchester Police officers because - they got results.

Several weeks later I received their report:

They had casually met with the claimant and said they were doing research for a Northern television programme about smallholders. Our "friend" was delighted to help. He pointed to a two-axle trailer which he had built himself and posed for pictures. In the middle of the interview his attention was drawn to the fact that a couple of bullocks had escaped from a neighbouring field up the hill. He took off like a hare and chased the bullocks. Being photographed all of the time.

All this was recorded on camera and stills were sent to me with the report.

I thought that the agents' actions were questionable. After much thought I phoned the claimants solicitors and said I wanted to go and see them. "London Solicitor" travelling to the South West; they were intrigued but I would not elaborate. They agreed and I travelled down to their office.

When we met, I laid out the photos and showed them the report explaining that I was concerned that our people had overstepped the mark. The other solicitor frowned and leant back in his chair. “This causes me great concern” he said. I thought "Here goes".

Then the twist in the story:

He gave a sigh and said:

 I prosecute fraud claims for the DHSS (as it was then) in this area and I know that my client has been claiming disability benefits. Leave this with me please! 

I returned to London and two days later settled the claim at nuisance value with no costs. I reckon what we paid didn't even cover the claimant's solicitors bill!