Portcullis Start the New Year Raising a Master Mason
Portcullis first duty of the New Year was to raise John Penfold to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The Master John Nicholas in his last full ceremony of the year was in fine form. John has been brilliant ritualist and has hardly made an error in his Masonic year. Often going above and beyond the usual Master’s ritual by performing the Signs and Secrets and in all 3 degrees, when needed. The candidate answered his questions perfectly and conducted himself immaculately under the watchful guide of the SD Grant Peckham. Due to illness and injury the Master had plenty of stand in officers to thank including the Tyler Tony Hooper, Inner Guard Andy Altendorf and Junior Deacon Steve McNaughton.
The Master Elect for the ensuing year was unanimous in the favour of Mike Norton, which will be Portcullis’s first full installation for 5 years, as Mike will be a new Master. The incumbent Master spoke of his delight on being Master of Portcullis which had helped him in a difficult year.
The festive board was the usual splendid carvery at the Langport Arms with the highlight the toast to the visitors by none other than Ian Moore in his typical jovial manner with James Brown responding for the visitors with equally good humour!

WM John Nicholas with new Master Mason John Penfold

The WM and his team