Tenby Lodge Add Further £2,500 To Their Festival Target

When Damian Brown was initiated into Tenby Lodge in 1998, he was a very young Mason of 24 years. He loved the Craft from the start and went on to become a Royal Arch Companion and a Mark Master Mason. Progressively though, his business interests demanded more and more of his time and energy, and he reluctantly had to put his Masonic involvement to one side while he developed and expanded his portfolio of businesses, but it was always his intention to return to Freemasonry when the time was right. That time came when he was in his late forties and came back into the Tenby Lodge fold and was soon fully involved once again.

His return reached its climax at the end of January when he was finally installed as Master of Tenby Lodge. Over 80 West Wales brethren were present and all agreed that he had been installed in impeccable style by outgoing Master W.Bro. Tony Upham, who delivered the ceremony in a sincere and faultless manner.

After the meeting, the banquet took place at the Giltar Hotel on Tenby seafront, where in a packed dining room the tributes to the new Master were many. He was praised for his charitable nature, in particular the fact that as owner of Ridgeway Holiday Park in Manorbier he had allowed Tenby Lodge the use of the park for their fundraising summer BBQ. The event was a huge success, raising over £4,400 and triggering a string of charitable donations by the Lodge to local good causes. Damian provided the outdoor furniture and a mobile bar for the event, and along with a hard-working team of Lodge members had gained sponsorship for the event from fifteen different suppliers in the form of food and drink products, as well as raffle and auction prizes.

During the evening, the gold medal that Tenby Lodge have achieved with their contributions to the 2026 Festival was passed by IPM W.Bro. Tony to W.Bro. Damian, who then immediately presented the Presiding Ruler W.Bro. Mike Eckley APGM with a further contribution to the Festival of £2,500.

The raffle raised £400, and the new Master chose the Tenovus Cancer Care charity of Wales as the recipient of the proceeds.

W.Bro. Damian is quite a character, and in his response to the Master’s Toast he concluded with a couple of funny stories and a humorous poem that he had written about his Masonic journey and Tenby Lodge.

The celebrations continued until quite late(!) afterwards in the lounge bar of the Giltar where Damian was joined by his partner Nam and a group of wives and partners of other members who had dined at a nearby restaurant. It was a fabulous occasion, much enjoyed by all present.

Pictured at the presentation of the ‘cheque’ for the Festival are (L to R) W.Bro. Mike Eckley APGM, W.Bro. Keith Eckley (Prov. Grand Comms Officer and Festival Steward who responded to the Toast to Masonic Charities) and W.Bro. Damian Brown, Master of Tenby Lodge.