In many countries the Mark Degree still forms part of either Craft or Royal Arch Masonry and candidates can become Mark Master Masons as soon as they have been passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft. However, in England the Mark Degree is totally separate from the Craft having its own Grand Lodge which was founded in 1856.

The Degree itself is one of hope and encouragement, dealing with the building of King Solomon's Temple. Its message is one of contemplation of human strength and weakness. It shows that the wisest amongst us can be mistaken, that the experts are frequently wrong and that the weakest can show more determination than the strongest.

In this Province there are 46 Mark Lodges which are overseen, as in the Craft, by a Provincial Grand Master, a Deputy Provincial Grand Master, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, a Provincial Grand Secretary and a full supporting Executive Team. The Province is divided into Groups and each has a Group Representative. Each Lodge has a Visiting Grand Officer who is responsible to the Group Representative.

The present Provincial Grand Master of Mark Maser Masons is the former Craft Provincial Grand Secretary and in this Province the ties between the Craft, Chapter and the Mark degree have never been closer.

Many of the Craft and Chapter senior officers have been enthusiastic Mark Masons, these include R.W.Bro. Alan Chun, the past Provincial Grand Master, who is a past Grand Warden in Mark Grand Lodge; R.W.Bro. J. E. Bullen, another past Provincial Grand Master, who is a past Grand Master Overseer; and V.W.Bro. R. A. Champion a past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who is a past Grand Senior Overseer. All these Brethren were active members of Mark Grand Lodge during their year of office. When referring to senior officers of the Chapter it must not be forgotten that the Grand Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Michael Morgan, was the Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons in the Province for ten years and he is still extremely active in the degree.

Like the Craft, the Mark Province is also deeply committed to the pursuit of Charity and recently has been engaged in a Mini Festival to raise funds to assist Shannon Court and Zetland Court, the two RMBI homes associated with the Province. This Festival concluded in March 2000 with a Festival Ball which was held in Bournemouth when some 170 brethren and their ladies enjoyed a happy weekend together. The Mark's efforts are now being directed towards support for the 2005 Festival.

Finally, as the Craft has the Chapter, so the Mark Degree has the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners. This Degree is around two hundred years old, is governed by the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons under the Grand Master's Royal Ark Council and in the Province the Order is managed by the Provincial Mark Executive.

Brethren, if you would like to take a fourth regular step in Freemasonry by becoming a Mark Master Mason do not hesitate to contact your local Mark Lodge Secretary "for among Mark Master Masons you will ever find friends who will administer relief to your distress and comfort in your affliction."