Queen’s College Taunton Lodge Master Proclaimed & John Parker Celebrates 50 Years Of Masonry

The March 2026 (installation) meeting was a simple Proclamation of the Worshipful Master to continue in the Chair for another year. That meant the infamous Queen’s Inner Workings are postponed (giving the Master time to learn for the next big one when a new Master will be installed in 2027).

The main event of the day was the presentation, by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Barrie Palmer (ably escorted by the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Nathan Henderson), to one of the elders of the lodge. Barrie was honoured – as all present were – to experience the presentation of a 50th Anniversary certificate to John Edward Parker (OQ 1940-50).

It was a delight to see a lively 93 year old John again after a lengthy absence owing to ill health, chauffeured and chaperoned from his home in Surrey by his daughter, Zoe. After the formal presentation, John recalled his happy years at Queen’s where he was a talented sportsman. He recounted a remarkable story that in 1944, his parents came to Queen’s for Speech Day intending to take him home with them that same day. He persuaded them to stay over and that night, Ilford, where they lived, was struck by a V1 rocket which landed on their street wrecking several houses including theirs. Their delay might well have saved their lives while, miraculously, the piano below, was the only artifact to survive intact, later presented by him to School in 2014.

As always the lodge and especially the visitors were extremely generous for the Master’s charity which remains Somerset Sight: indeed, a vote was taken to pass £7000 to this most worthy charity from the masonic year 2025/26 (with Province match-funding to assist in reaching this monumental amount).

https://www.somersetsight.org.uk/ – Working with people who lack sight, not vision

The lodge then retired for more excellent sustenance, courtesy of the Taunton Masonic Hall caterers, led wonderfully by Karen Dingle. As always huge thanks for organising and executing the day go to Geoff Perrin for his tireless insistence to get the bar orders in and to the lodge Secretary, W. Lindsey Edmunds for suggesting dining utilising round tables, which actually was rather interesting and provided a new dynamic.

Report by: Keith Pickavance – Queens College Taunton Lodge Comms Officer