I made a visit over the border into Suffolk to the joint meetings of Edmonsdbury RAM and Freeman Mark, who meet at Bury St Edmunds.
Seeing on the RAM Summons that our Provincial Charity Steward Nick Berry would be Installed as Worshipful Commander Noah, was an occasion I didn’t want to miss. It was a good ceremony performed by outgoing WCN Peter Davis and DC John Kirk, with nick being suitably impressed and overawed at the same time!
After a short break, it was Freeman Mark and the Advancement of Aaron Hickman. An excellent ceremony from WM Bob Heavisides, assisted by David Frost for the Secrets & Signs and John Kirk for the Working Tools, with the Overseers being very impressive and demanding of Aaron the Advancee. Another proud moment for Nick Berry, as he and Aaron have known each other for more than 20 years, when Nick was a teacher at Aaron one of his pupils, brought together again after many years at a meeting of Mildenhall Lodge.
The meeting finished off with a sumptuous Festive Board of smoked mackerel, beef stew & dumplings and trifle, plus a decent sum raised for charity with the latest Nick Berry charity card game, which sounded simple but was complicated in it’s delivery!
An excellent evening of good company and ritual, enjoyed by all us visitors including the Provincial Grand Junior Warden Nigel Hood, representing the PGM.