Christmas Message 2025
Dear Brethren,
As 2025 draws to a close it is my great pleasure to send you a message for
Christmas and to thank you, personally, for your support over the last year as
your new Provincial Grand Master.
Writing this message naturally causes me to reflect on the past year as well as
to look forward to what might lie in store for 2026.
I must thank you all once again for the very warm welcome you always extend
to me when I visit your lodges and I know that you show the same warm
welcome to the Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.
I extend my thanks to the Provincial Officers for their steadfast support to me
and their devotion to the order throughout the year.
My hope and prayer is that you are all able to spend time with your families over
the festive period, recharge your batteries and then take on 2026 with the joy
and enthusiasm that I know you all have for our wonderful degree!
May you and your families and friends enjoy a very Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year and may the Great Overseer and Supreme Commander of the
Universe have you in His special keeping, until we meet again in His Most Holy
Name.
Yours sincerely and fraternally,
Justin
Provincial Grand Lodge of MMM of Worcestershire Ladies Charity Evening
A On Saturday 15th November, the Mark Province of Worcestershire held a Ladies Charity Event at the Holiday Inn Birmingham, Bromsgrove, the chosen supported charity being Prostate Cancer UK.
This was a well-attended occasion, which was enjoyed by all attending, with good food and wine.
After the meal, great live entertainment was provided by local rock band Autumn, who kept the dance floor very busy. During the musical interval, a raffle was held with a great selection of prizes. This was followed by a Charity Auction of a week’s stay for two at Jeff Whiteley’s villa in Fuerteventura. The Auction was controlled by Paul Palmer with enthusiasm and much gusto, with bids going backwards and forwards between those keen on the prize.
On the night, the event raised an amazing £2,500, with donations still coming in, for the chosen charity of Prostate Cancer UK.
Many thanks to Jeff and Debbie for a most enjoyable and successful evening, and a big thank you to all who attended to support this worthwhile cause.
Updated Toast lists For 2025
The latest toast lists for both the Mark Masons and the Royal Ark Mariners are now available to download directly from this webpage.
Keeping your toast lists up to date is essential, as it ensures that every meeting and festive board follows the correct order of honours and addresses, helping to maintain tradition, accuracy, and respect within our ceremonies. For ease of access, these updated toast lists can also be found in the Resources section of this website, where you will always find the most recent versions.
Last updated 9 September 2025
Last updated 9 September 2025
New Blood Bike for the Midland Freewheelers
A cheque from the Mark Benevolent Fund for a little over £19,000 for the purchase of a new motorcycle was presented to the Midland Freewheelers Blood Bikes by R W Bro Eric Rymer, the Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire, accompanied by W Bro John Fleming, Provincial Grand Charity Steward.
The Midland Freewheelers provide an emergency motorcycle rider service operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, serving Hospitals and other NHS facilities throughout the West Midlands as well as the Midlands Air Ambulance.
Receiving the cheque was the Chairman of the MFW, Lorraine Gough, accompanied by the fleet manager, Geoff Gough, and a number of volunteer riders. The picture is of the new motorcycle which is named “Prince Michael of Kent” and has on its sides logos of the Mark Benevolent Fund and The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Cheque Presented to Priory Boxing Club
A cheque from the Mark Benevolent Fund for a little over £58,200 for the purchase of a minibus was presented by R.W.Bro Eric Rymer the Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire accompanied by W.Bro. John Fleming Provincial Grand Charity Steward to Paul Gough a Director and the Chair of Trustees of Priory Park Boxing Club.
The visit’s both to the Priory Park Community School and the Boxing club were inspirational event’s which were enjoyed by all who attended.
The Minibus will provide transport for the collection of pupils attending the Community School, in addition to allowing the boxing club members to attend competitions located around the country.
New Provincial Grand Master Appointed for Worcestershire Mark Masons
The Mark Masons of Worcestershire welcomed a new Provincial Grand Master this summer, the V.W.Bro. The Revd. Justin Trevelyan Parker as R.W.Bro. Eric John Rymer stepped down after a decade of dedicated service.
R.W.Bro. Rymer, who was installed as Provincial Grand Master in July 2015, had been a committed leader of the Province. His Masonic journey began in 1992 when he was Advanced into Charity Lodge No. 430. He went on to serve as Master in 1998 and has been a member of the General Board since June 2022.
During his tenure, R.W.Bro. Rymer carried out his duties “with dignity and confidence,” strengthening ties between the Province and Mark Masons’ Hall in London. On behalf of Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary expressed heartfelt thanks for his tireless efforts on behalf of both Mark and Royal Ark Masonry.
With R.W.Bro. Rymer stepping aside, the Grand Master has appointed V.W.Bro. The Revd. Justin Trevelyan Parker, Grand Chaplain, as the next Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire. V.W.Bro. Parker is well known throughout the Province and is widely respected among the brethren.
His Installation took place on Friday, 13 June 2025, with R.W.Bro. Rymer formally retiring the evening before.
Brethren across Worcestershire are invited to join in congratulating V.W.Bro. Parker on his forthcoming appointment and to thank R.W.Bro. Rymer for his years of outstanding service to the Province.
£691,000.00 For Blood Bikes charities across the country
What do Mark Masons do, you ask? Well, today they celebrated donations of more than £691,000.00 to the Blood Bikes charities across the country, to buy new motorcycles and cars to provide this invaluable and free service supporting the NHS and Air Ambulance.
How does emergency blood, plasma, breast milk and so much more get where it’s needed and when it is needed? Blood Bikes is the answer!
The riders and drivers turn out, come rain or shine and day or night, voluntarily, to serve those most in need.
Here are some of the Midlands team celebrating with me the donation to buy another much needed motorbike!
In attendance were a number of Grand and Provincial Officers, together with the Deputy PGM, W Bro Paul A Yarnell and Assistant PGM, W Bro Mark J Winfield. Our incoming PGM, V W Bro Revd Justiin T Parker, was also in attendance.
During the meeting and Festive Board, a number of presentations were made to the PGM to thank him for his hard work and devotion to the Worcestershire Province for the last ten years. The main presentation made from the Brethren of the Province was a cheque to book a Fishing Trip to the River Tweed in Scotland.
Bro Gerald D Fagg Installed as Worshipful Master
At the meeting of St Egwin Lodge of MMM held on Monday 2nd June, Master Elect, Bro Gerald D Fagg, was Installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. The Installing Master was W Bro Adrian Hutt, who Installed the Master with skill and solemnity.
During the meeting, the PGM, R W Bro Eric J Rymer, announced the Field Promotion of W Bro Peter Ross to Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon, a very much deserved promotion.
This meeting was R W Bro Eric J Rymer’s last meeting as Presiding Officer before he stands down on the 12th June. As usual, he was supported by his Wardens of the Year, W Bro Derek Owen and W Bro Robin Stanton. The escorting Director of Ceremonies was W Bro Stuart Cameron.
In attendance were a number of Grand and Provincial Officers, together with the Deputy PGM, W Bro Paul A Yarnell and Assistant PGM, W Bro Mark J Winfield. Our incoming PGM, V W Bro Revd Justiin T Parker, was also in attendance.
During the meeting and Festive Board, a number of presentations were made to the PGM to thank him for his hard work and devotion to the Worcestershire Province for the last ten years. The main presentation made from the Brethren of the Province was a cheque to book a Fishing Trip to the River Tweed in Scotland.
Regular Meeting with a Big Difference.
On Monday 1st September, this certainly was a Regular Meeting of St George’s Lodge of MMM with a difference. The Worshipful Master (WM), W Bro Allan Bretherton, opened the Lodge in due form. At that point, the Provincial Director of Ceremonies (D of C), W Bro Stuart J Cameron, requested the admittance of the Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro Revd Justin T Parker, who was escorted into the Lodge by a column of Active Provincial Officers. The PGM accepted the Gavel from the WM, took the Chair, and undertook the next two items of Labour.
Then the Grand Director of Ceremonies, R W Bro Christopher M L Davies, escorted the Deputy Grand Master (DGM), R W Bro Francis C Spencer, into the Lodge. He suitably declined the offer of the Gavel from the PGM.
The WM then retook his rightful place in the Chair to undertake the remainder of the business of the Lodge.
The next item of Labour was to ballot for a a Candidate for Advancement, Bro Paul Smith. The ballot proved in favour of the Candidate.
The Ceremony of Advancement was commenced, the WM taking the first part of the ceremony, and W Bro Steve Turner the second part. The Secrets of the Degree and Conclusion were presented by W Bro Paul Milner. The Working Tools were presented by Bro Riccardo Sorano in an exemplary manner.
The Senior Deacon, Bro Richard Toon, guided the Candidate around the Lodge in a skilful manner.
The WM then asked the DGM if he would present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Richard Toon.
The DGM then addressed the Brethren, congratulating the Lodge on its 15th anniversary. At that point, he asked the GDC to escort W Bro Colin V Young to him. The DGM then informed W Bro Colin of his Field Promotion to the Grand Rank of Past Grand Senior Deacon (PGSD). W Bro Colin was totally surprised by this, and for once he was completely speechless. The GDC then Proclaimed his promotion.
Once the DGM had retired from the Lodge, the remaining business was completed, and the Lodge Closed in due form.
The Brethren retired to a noisy and fraternal Festive Board. There were a number of Toasts delivered, the main ones being the PGM to the DGM, and the Senior Warden to the WM.
The Festive Board concluded with the Lodge’s traditional toast to St George.
Grand Officers Mess
Thirty-eight Grand Officers attended their Annual Mess at Rainbow Hill on Thursday 3rd July. Also in attendance was the Provincial Senior Warden, W Bro Matt Rochelle, who, in accordance with tradition, was invited to attend and act as Wine Steward at table.
Those attending were greeted with a glass of fizz and simple canapes, after which the retiring President, W Bro Mel Broadhurst, invested W Bro Greg Boughton as the 2025 President (see photo). All then moved into the Dining Room where the President welcomed everyone, remembered those Grand Officers who had passed to the GLA, and invited W Bro John King to act as Chaplain. There followed an excellent five-course meal.
After the Chaplain had returned thanks, and the President had proposed the Loyal Toast, the Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro Rev Justin T Parker, gave an outline of his views on Mark Masonry, and in particular that our Degree, as one of the Companion Orders, through its inspiration and friendship enhanced Craft Masonry for us all. Mark Masonry is different, and it is that difference which adds lustre to our freemasonry.
Looking forward, he emphasised that the Offices of Worshipful Master, Master Overseer and Senior Deacon should receive special support and encouragement from the more senior members of Lodges, so that in their turn they could contribute to a meaningful and memorable meeting for Advancees who, hopefully, as a result would encourage new Candidates.
He stressed the need for succession planning of management roles such as Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Ceremonies, Almoner and Charity Steward. By assessing and identifying an individual’s strengths, abilities and interests they could be encouraged to take on responsibilities (with support if necessary), thereby relieving incumbents to take on other roles in order to develop their own experience, knowledge and contribution. Such forward planning is relevant at both Lodge and Provincial level, and he encouraged Lodges to bring to the attention of the Province those individuals, at whatever level, whose performance or service was worthy of note for future consideration.
He concluded by thanking his predecessors for the present vibrancy of the Province. Each had led in their own individual manner, and he would do likewise; in giving of his best, he would endeavour to maintain the vigour of the Province which he had inherited.
An open discussion then ensued, raising several issues for further consideration, ranging from the reinstatement of Provincial socials to the Provincial website and the relationship between the “stories” of the Craft, Mark and Royal Arch to the benefits of preparing for a Craft Chair through RAM and Mark.
At the conclusion of the evening, the President confirmed the date of the next Mess – Thursday 9th July 2026 – and the Provincial Grand Master confirmed that the 2026 President would be W Bro John Harmshaw.