Support Meningitis Now
Meningitis Kills
We have all heard that Meningitis can be a killer especially effecting young students attending College or University. A case in point is that of Aaron Mills a young lad who lived for football, played, coached, refereed and studied football. Aaron had just started a Football Science degree at John Moore’s University in Liverpool but in early January Aaron complained of a bad headache and 3 days later died of Meningitis. Aaron was only 18 years old.
Aarons best friend Shaun McEntee will honour him by running approximately 100 miles over five days in September, from Kidderminster Harriers Aggborough Stadium to Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium. This journey is for Aaron. He was a lifelong fan of Liverpool F.C. and held a season ticket at his local team Kidderminster Harriers. Running between the two stadiums represents the clubs he loved and the passion that meant so much to him.
At the same time money is being raised for Meningitis Now — so that other families don’t have to experience the same heartbreak. Every donation helps fund life-saving research, provide vital support to those affected, and raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of this devastating disease.
They also want to raise awareness about the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine. While it is available privately, it is not routinely offered to everyone who may be at risk — yet it has the potential to save lives. Greater awareness means more informed choices, and informed choices can mean prevention.
Please make a donation to this important cause and help save the lives of youngsters just starting on life’s journey.
To donate search for
https://asbo.muchloved.com › Fundraising › Events
Aggborough to Anfield for Aaron – asbo.muchloved.com
Annual Meeting of Mark Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire
Annual Meeting of Mark Provincial Grand Lodge
On Saturday 13th June 2026, the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Worcestershire was held at Kings Heath Freemasons Hall.
After the procession into the Lodge by the Provincial Grand Master (PGM), R W Bro Rev Fr Justin T Parker, the Past Deputy Grand Master, R W Bro Francis C Spencer, the Past Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro Eric J Rymer, and other distinguished Brethren, a deputation of Royal Ark Mariners (RAM) was received, led by W Bro John H V Moore. The deputation included representatives from all the Province of Worcestershire RAM Lodges.
The Lodge was opened in due form by the PGM. Salutations were given by the Provincial Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Stuart Cameron, to the PGM, DPGM, APGM, and all other Right Worshipful Brethren present.
The PGM then greeted all the distinguished guests in turn, and visiting Brethren from other Orders,and thanked them for their support.
Once the general reports and appointments of Treasurer and Account Examiners were completed, the PGM presented the Advancees of the Year present with a specially commissioned Token.
The PGM then thanked W Bro Paul A Yarnell, who had recently stepped down as Deputy PGM due to family reasons, for his exemplary service to the Province, and presented him with his Past Deputy PGM collarette. He also confirmed his promotion to Past Grand Junior Overseer, which will take place at the September meeting of Mark Grand Lodge.
This was followed by the PGM reappointing W Bro Mark J Winfield as Deputy PGM and W Bro Mervyn C Cummings as Assistant PGM, and the appointment and investment of his Officers for the ensuing year. Details of appointments and promotions can be found on the Provincial website.
The PGM then delivered his Address to the Brethren, thanking them for their support during his first year in office, which had been another successful year for the Province in both Mark and RAM Degrees. The PGM stated that donations by the Brethren to his Charity of the Year, the Acorns Childrens Hospice Trust, raised in excess of £8,000.00.
The meeting was closed in due form, and the Brethren retired to the bar and a very noisy and enjoyable Festive Board.
A big Thank You to the Provincial Grand Secretary and his team for a very successful meeting.
The next Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge will be held on Saturday 12th June 2027 at Kings Heath Freemasons Hall.
MBF presentation to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Worcestershire and Warwickshire Combine
On Monday 27th April, R. W. Bro. Eric Rymer, Past Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire, together with R. W. Bro Andrew Armbrister, the Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire, accompanied by V. W. Bro Nigel Clemson, Warwickshire’s Past Provincial Grand Charity Steward, visited The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham to make a cheque presentation on behalf of The Mark Benevolent Fund.
The Hospital is one of only three specialist Orthopaedic hospitals in the country. They take referrals for complicated orthopaedic cases from all parts of the country, as well as being the national referral hospital for all cases of bone cancer.
They sought the help of The Mark Benevolent Fund to purchase a new ultrasound scanner. Both provinces supported the application as the hospital lies on their joint Provincial boundary. The Mark Benevolent Fund made the hospital a grant of £35,828 which enabled them to purchase a state-of-the-art GEC Logitech ultrasound scanner.
Dr Hassam Uldin, a consultant Radiologist, explained to the group the advantages of the new equipment, which is replacing a unit over 10 years old. It is half the size of its predecessor and therefore takes up less room in the usual scanner room, but also makes it far more manoeuvrable, enabling consultants to have the ability to move it to wherever it is needed, be it in a theatre or ward or outpatient area. The quality of scans it produces are greatly improved, especially in soft tissue sarcomas (cancers). At present, after being in place for one month, about 20 patients a week are able to benefit from the machine, but this number is increasing.
A plaque recording the donation is being placed at the entrance to the X Ray department.
The initial presentation of the cheque was made to Dr Uldin in the department followed by a formal presentation to the Trust executive.
Installation of a new Deputy & Assistant Provincial Grand Masters
Grand Lodge Appointments for Worcestershire
Grand Lodge Appointments/Promotions
The following Brethren of the Province of Worcestershire will be receiving Grand Rank Appointments or Promotions in June and September 2026:
First Appointments:
W Bro Derek Wyn Owen, P.A.G.D.C.
W Bro Robin Stanton, P.A.G.D.C.
W Bro Gary Vale, P.A.G.D.C.
Promotions:
W Bro Paul Alan Yarnell, P.G.J.O.
Congratulations to all these Brethren, and all others receiving Appointments or Promotions.
Deputy Provincial Grand Master Retires
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Paul Yarnell, has taken the difficult decision to retire
from office earlier than anticipated.
In consequence of Paul’s retirement, I have decided to appoint W Bro Mark Winfield to the office of Deputy
Provincial Grand Master, in succession to Paul, and W Bro Mervyn Cummings to the office of Assistant Provincial
Grand Master.
I am sure you will wish Mark and Merv all the very best as they, respectively, step into big shoes!
Provincial DC's celebrate their birthday
The meeting of the Provincial Directors of Ceremonies Lodge of MMM on Saturday 7th February 2026 was held at Kings Heath Freemasons Hall, and marked the 25th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Lodge.
Dust those little grey brain cells down AND support local charity
The RW Provincial Grand Master invites you and your friends to a CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT in aid of The Acorns Children’s Hospice, to be held on Saturday 14th March at Kidderminster Cricket Club, Chester Road North, Kidderminster.
Teams of four are invited to compete against each other at a cost of only £10 per head which includes a pork roll & chips to fuel those little grey cells.
Full details below.
https://www.worcestershiremarkpgl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Mark-Quiz-Night-Flyer.pdf
M.W.Bro John Herbert Prizeman passes to higher service
It is with great sadness that we have learned the news that M.W.Bro. John Herbert Prizeman passed to higher service at the age of 79. M.W. Bro. John was a determined, kind and humorous Mark Master Mason who gave of his time and energy,
unstintingly, in our service. We will be forever grateful for his labours, his kindness and the brotherhood we shared.
Provincial Grand Lodge 2025 Minutes now available
The minutes of the 2025 Provincial Grand Lodge held in June 2025 are now available to view prior to the General Purposes Committee meeting to be held on Tuesday 21st January 2026