Mark Master Masons Home Page

Welcome

Welcome to the Home of Mark Master Masons

The Order is universally known as the "Friendly Degree" with good reason. This may be derived from the relatively light-hearted manner in which the message is conveyed during the ceremony of "Advancement", without losing the moral significance it contains. It may also be due to the fact that all new members are informed on the occasion of their joining the Order that: "... among Mark Master Masons you will ever find friends".

Regardless of the reasons, the friendliness of the degree is clearly seen in the Lodge room and in the genuine warmth of the welcome that is universally extended among all Mark Masons. Our Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy ensure through their leadership, that in Nottinghamshire we truly enjoy our Mark Masonry and the friendliness of this Order is surely a key element of the success and enthusiasm that exists for the Mark Degree.

Mark Masonry consists of two separate degrees - that of Mark Man and Mark Master Mason. Both are carried out in the one ceremony and it develops the theme of the Fellowcraft Freemason.

The Mark Ritual is structured on a verse from Psalm 118. "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner". It explores the building of King Solomon's Temple and the craftsmen involved in the work. The lessons of the Mark Degree are presented in a ceremony that is both lively and enjoyable and requires active participation by at least nine Officers. It is full of action and surprises.

All Freemasons who are Master Masons can apply to become a member. At present there are 22 Mark Lodges in Nottinghamshire, meeting three or four times yearly. The Lodges meeting at the various Masonic Halls throughout the Province and their meeting dates can be viewed using the menu options to the right of this page. A listing of members is maintained in the Provincial Year Book.

Progression to the chair is similar to the Craft but with three additional Offices. A Brother is eligible to be considered for Provincial rank, three years after his year as Master, at the discretion of the Provincial Grand Master. Grand Rank may also be awarded to those who have rendered exemplary service to Mark Masonry.

A further advantage of being a Mark Master Mason is that it opens up the possibility of extending your interests in Freemasonry, as it is an essential qualification for attaining membership of at least three other Orders; most particularly that of Royal Ark Mariner.

Fraternally
Peter Maxwell Ball
Provincial Grand Master
Nottinghamshire Provincal Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons

The PGM

The Provincial Grand Master Mark Master Masons

Peter Ball has taken an active part in the administration of the Nottinghamshire Mark Province throughout the past decade and was appointed as Provincial Grand Secretary in 2005, promoted to Deputy Provincial Grand Master in March 2010 and appointed Provincial Grand Master in March 2012.

At the earliest opportunity, being just 21 years of age, Peter joined Freemasonry as a "Lewis"; that is to say by virtue of being the son of a Freemason. In fact, Peter was actually proposed by his Grandfather and seconded by his Father to join the Duchess of Portland Lodge No.3570, a connection of which Peter is quite rightly very proud. They in turn would have taken great pride in the extent of Peter's subsequent involvement in the wide range of Masonic Degrees and Orders to which he belongs, together with the commitment he brings to all that he does.

He served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1985, but was Installed again in the Master's Chair for the Lodge's Centenary in 2011. During the year he has initiated both his Sons thus bringing a fourth generation of the family into the Lodge.

Born and educated in Nottingham, Peter commenced his career in the motor trade here too, before moving to Derby in 1975 in order to focus on commercial vehicle sales. After a long and successful career in selling Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles, which has seen him winning several national sales awards, Peter is now enjoying his retirement from commercial life and somehow finding the time to expand his Masonic interests alongside his family and household commitments.

Success in business has provided Peter with many opportunities to travel to glamorous locations; sometimes to admire the "oily bits" on the latest version of a new Mercedes-Benz lorry, but equally as likely to be a well-deserved leisure excursion and to admire some of the areas of breathtaking beauty that this World has to offer.

Peter is married to Kate and together they have an extended family of five children and two grandchildren. Being a Grandfather is a relatively new role that Peter is enjoying and one that his natural good humour and patience is well suited to.

His retirement affords him the opportunity to expand his role as Grandfather and to indulge in a few of his favourite pastimes. Music has always been an important element in Peter's life, whether performing semi-professionally as bass guitar player with his father's band back in the 1970's and early 1980's, or simply enjoying the musical talent of others.

Classic cars have long held a particular captivation for Peter and it was particularly fitting that when Kate and Peter married in August 2009, they were able to use a classic car that Peter had once owned. A keen interest in local history and gardening, as well as Peter's numerous Masonic and charitable activities will no doubt occupy any free time that his retirement may try to create.

Peter is always happy to assist whenever and wherever possible, working hard to the mutual benefit of others. His ability and experience in managing administrative issues whilst demonstrating his sense of humour and maintaining efficiency enhances his natural leadership qualities and are greatly appreciated by those who know him.

He has a great desire to ensure that Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees continue to be enjoyed by all those who are members of these Orders.

The Dept PGM

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master Mark Master Masons

Chris Adkin was born in Nottingham in 1964, educated locally; and after obtaining his Degree in Accounting & Finance he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990. The decision to become a Chartered Accountant was first settled upon by Chris as a schoolboy at the tender age of 8 and he has demonstrated his commitment to steadfastly pursue an established worthwhile goal many times since.

His involvement with Freemasonry first began when his father introduced him to Le Willows Lodge as a "Lewis" (the son of a Freemason) in 1991. Chris has since expanded his research and knowledge to embrace many of the other Orders that Freemasonry has to offer, with the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees being foremost among these. Having filled the Office of Deputy Secretary within the Province since 2005, he was appointed Provincial Grand Secretary in March 2010.

Chris married Tina in November 1995 and they now live in Mansfield, where Chris runs his own Accountancy Practice. Since 2007 they have had an apartment on the Black Sea coast at Sozopol in Bulgaria and recently they embarked upon a shared aim to learn the Bulgarian language, enrolling for a beginner's class at the local college.

Interests beyond family and Freemasonry include all forms of motor sport, gliding and travel. Chris assisted with the running of a National road safety competition for over 20 years, he has marshalled on many national and international rallies, as well as attending some events whilst still in a 'carry cot' as a very young baby! Gliding became a passion whilst he was still a student and has provided him with plenty of opportunity to travel the UK in support of this absorbing sport, including the chance to be part of a team entered in the Universities Flying Week competition.

Chris always delivers his full commitment to any activity with which he becomes involved, willing to take an active role if appropriate, believing firmly that we all get out of our activities in proportion to what we put in to them.

An occupational hazard that usually befalls any Accountant is that the job of treasurer frequently lands at their feet. Chris has willingly taken on the job of treasurer many times, including that of the Parish Church where he and Tina were married and he was also the finance Trustee for the national drugs education charity, DARE (UK), for a number of years. Currently Chris is a member of the Mansfield Armchair Club, which raises money for local sports people and helps enable those of all abilities to reach their potential and enjoy their chosen sport.

Chris is a most capable administrator who has a keen interest and appreciation of the traditions and ceremonial aspects of the Mark Degree. He is a regular visitor to many of the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges within our Province and he is always pleased to widen his circle of friends whenever visiting other Lodges and Provinces. It is clear to all who know him that he thoroughly enjoys his own Mark Masonry and that he is keen to help others enjoy theirs.