Wallingford Lodge of MMM No. 1162 was the first Mark Lodge in the Province to be able to hold an Installation meeting without any restrictions in over 1 year. The centre had been well prepared by the management team, all guidelines were published resulting in over 30 brethren attending the Installation of Bro. Stuart A Stringer, the ceremony being conducted by W.Bro. Laurence Riel.
Clearly everybody was delighted to be able to be present, the atmosphere was one of excitement and relief, even if it was the hottest day of the year. The Provincial Grand Master entered the Lodge attended by many Provincial Officers and on taking the chair requested W.Bro. Bob Watson, Prov.G.S.W. to take up his office as Provincial Grand Senior Warden and W.Bro. Richard Mackrow, Prov. G Reg. to act as Provincial Grand Junior Warden. Provincial Grand Lodge was declared open and the Provincial Grand Master informed the brethren of how delighted he was to be present. He informed the brethren that since the last physical Provincial meeting in September 2019 the Province had lost some 29 brethren to higher office, he read the list of names and then asked the brethren to stand in memory of departed merit. He thanked all the Provincial Offices for being present, approved the minutes of the last virtual business meeting of the Lodge, declared Provincial Grand Lodge closed and vacated the chair in favour of W.Bro. Laurence Riel so that the Installation of Bro Stuart could take place.
Following a very successful meeting the members present retired to the bar and dining area and dined on a menu of Scotch Egg, Sweet & Sour pork on a bed of rice followed by either cheese and biscuits of fresh fruit salad. The atmosphere seemed to be one of great enjoyment just as everybody hoped it would be.
