AN unusual ceremony was held at St Ethelbert Lodge of Mark Master Masons in Hereford to which members' wives were invited.

The banner of this 125-year-old lodge had deteriorated due to age and a beautiful new one has been made by Mrs Christine Body, the wife of member Tony Body, Director of Ceremonies of the lodge, whose Master is David Cox.

The dedication ceremony was conducted by John Eley the Provincial Grand Master for the Mark masons of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. At the luncheon, attended by 50 members and ladies, a raffle raised £160 for St Michael's Hospice.

The next event also concerns a lodge named after a Saint, Thomas Cantilupe a former Bishop of Hereford. The lodge was Consecrated in 1920 by the Very Rev Dean Leigh in the College Hall of the Cathedral Cloisters. At its recent meeting, John Baker was installed as Master by John Norris following his year in the Chair. John Baker then invested his officers.

Continuing its support of local good causes the Masonic Charity reports that a Response Kit, comprising a Bothy shelter, (tent) for four rescuers and the casualty, an insulating mat, a large waterproof sleeping bag and a first aid bag, has been donated to the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.