Allied Masonic Degree
Taunton Vale Welcome three new members as well as Heads of Orders
Wednesday 23rd March saw a super evening at the Taunton Masonic Hall with three new candidates being brought into the Taunton Vale Council in the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees, in the persons of Bro. Chris Jeffery, Bro. Martin Straus and Bro. John Housden. In the presence of our District Grand Prefect, R. W. Bro. Ron Slater, the Worshipful Master, V. W. Bro. Chris Summers admitted them into the Order in an excellent manner as he carried out the ceremony of St. Lawrence the Martyr, ably assisted by our District Grand Prefect who gave the Lecture of the Degree with a first class delivery. The candidates all thoroughly enjoyed the evening and said that they were looking forward to the ceremonies of the other four Degrees in the Order.
The District of Severn covers a huge geographical area stretching across Somerset, through Bristol, into parts of Wiltshire and then a considerable distance across South Wales. It was, therefore, that evening a great pleasure to welcome a goodly number of visiting Brethren from Councils on the Welsh side of the District. The Brethren all enjoyed a very friendly evening and an excellent meal at the Festive Board.
Also present on the evening was a wealth of Heads of Orders which added to the occasion of this very special evening, as seen in the photograph. Also present, but not appearing in the photograph, were R. Em. Kt. Pt. Michael Hopkins Grand Superintendant and High Priest of the Knight Templar Priests in the District of Wales and V. Ill. Comp. Chris Court Deputy District Grand Master in the Royal & Select Masters in the District of Somerset & Wiltshire.
Photo 1 (L to R): V. W. Bro. Chris Summers Past Deputy District Grand Prefect District of Severn, W. Bro. David Palmer the R. Ill. Indendant General Red Cross of Constantine for Somerset and Bristol, R. W. Bro. Ron Slater the District Grand Prefect for the District of Severn, W. Bro. Trevor Cooper Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler in the Order of the Secret Monitor for Somerset and Provincial Grand Master for the Royal Order of Scotland in Somerset, W. Bro. Kieran Hughes Chief Adept Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia for Western Counties and W. Bro. Julian Frost Deputy Intendant General Red Cross of Constantine and Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Order of the Secret Monitor of Somerset.
Photo 2 (L to R): V. W. Bro. Chris Summers the WM, candidates Bros. Chris Jeffery, Martin Straus and John Housden. R. W. Bro. Ron Slater District Grand Prefect.
Photo 3: R. W. Bro. Ron Slater District Grand Prefect for the District of Severn, W. Bro. Julian Frost District Grand Senior Warden and W. Bro. Wynn Evans District Grand Junior Warden.
