Newsletter - June 2003 meeting From a quick head count in the Temple I estimated that there were 26 present of which 5 were visitors, while 23 brethren dined at the Festive Board. W. Bro. Simon Higgins  for the third time this year occupied the Junior Warden's Chair. W. Bro. Jack Warner acted as Secretary and W. Bro. Cyril Evans combined the Offices of Chaplain and Organist. For perhaps the first time in the history of the Lodge, and certainly during my lifetime, the Lodge was honoured with an official visit from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Essex to a working meeting. The Lodge was opened in the traditional manner by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kevin Bird LGR. The Book of Remembrance was handed to the Chaplain, who placed it on its pedestal and opened it an appropriate page, which on this occasion contained the names of W. Bro. Eddie Roberts; W. Bro. Bill Chapman; W. Bro. Trevor Aplin; W. Bro. Bill Taylor and Bro. Jack Reddings, all of whom had made great contributions to the work and life of the Lodge during their time amongst us. A Report was received on the door of the Lodge, and after due enquiry W. Bro. Nigel Catchpole, Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, entered the Lodge, announced that V.W. Bro. Brian Proctor, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master was outside the door and requested admission. A deputation of Grand, Provincial Grand Officers and Holders of Senior and London Grand Rank was formed and escorted the Deputy Provincial Grand Master into the Lodge. The administrative items on the Lodge Summons were then proceeded with. The Lodge was afterwards opened in the Second Degree and Bro. Russell Sack answered the usual questions leading from the Second to the Third Degree, was entrusted and retired from the Lodge. The Lodge was opened in the Third Degree, Bro. Sack was re-admitted and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in an excellent manner by the Worshipful Master assisted by W. Bro. Jack Warner who rendered the Traditional History. The Candidate was attended upon, throughout the Ceremony by the Senior Deacon, Bro. Michael Morley, whose work was of an equally high standard and the explanation of the Working Tools in this Degree was well delivered by W. Bro. John Bird. On the completion of the Ceremony, Bro. Sack was placed in the north-east part of the Lodge, when the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, came down to meet him and addressed him on among other things the advantages of joining the Holy Royal Arch, but in due time and without detriment to his family; and his professional commitments. Freemasonry should incorporate a degree of fun and above all friendship. The election of the Officers for the ensuing year then took place and Bro. Mark Dalton was elected Master and W. Bro. Kevin Bird as Treasurer At the Festive Board the Deputy Provincial Grand Master expressed his pleasure, that bearing in mind Bro. Mark's very serious road accident which had left him with a memory difficulty that the brethren had sufficient confidence and understanding to elect him, and he advised Mark to do as much as he possibly could and above all to enjoy his year in the Chair. He even threatened to return next year to see how he was getting on. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master also spoke at length on the allocation of Grand and Provincial Grand Collars; the need for greater communication within the Province and the need for brethren to 'look after' those entering the Craft and to ensure that they were fully integrated into the work and friendship of the Lodge. On his departure from the Festive Board he shook the hand of every Brother present, something which in nearly fifty years of Freemasonry I had not encountered before. The weather was hot outside and the temperature in the Temple even higher. Meetings these days are never without their crises, but on this occasion the crisis was of some magnitude - the key to the Bar could not be found. The thought of the loss of a significant amount of revenue across the bar, prompted W. Bro. George Herbage to drive up from the West End to relieve the brethren from their misery, arriving at approximately 6.00 p.m. and thereby restoring them all to their personal comforts, for which we were truly grateful. Since this meeting I am told that Bro. Fred Watkins who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease has been transferred to the Secure Unit at Basildon Hospital, and Mrs. Pat Clark, the widow of W. Bro. Dennis Clark, a very caring Almoner of this Lodge in his day, is also very unwell.   W. Bro. Cyril Evans, PGStdB., PPJGW. Chaplain.