R W Provincial Grand Master's Address to Provincial Grand Lodge
2007
Introduction
Brethren, it is now my pleasure to address you.
May I begin by saying how pleased I am to see so many of you here in support of both the Province and those brethren receiving honours; it is tremendously encouraging and very welcome indeed.
To all our visitors, I extend a very warm welcome, and trust that you have a most enjoyable and memorable day with us, and that you fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings in which we have the privilege to hold our Annual Meeting.
Provincial Matters
As you know, today allows me the opportunity to appraise you of those issues we have undertaken during the past year, and advise you of those we are presently, or need, to address during the coming year.
However, before doing so I would first like to take this opportunity to express my personal thanks to the outgoing Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Jim Sharpley.
(at this point W Bro Sharpley was escorted to the dais by the new Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies)
Bro Jim, you held one of the most delightful, but hard-working, offices within the Province for some four years, and before that as Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, again, for four years.
When I had the pleasure of first appointing you, I remember you saying, ‘do you really think I can do it?’ or words to that effect. Well, as someone with a little knowledge of the requirements of the office of Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, I had no reservations, and I am sure the brethren will agree with me that it was one of my better decisions.
Throughout your time in office you have gone from strength to strength, showing great commitment and an outstanding ability. You have also been most gracious in your loyalty and support to me.
They say you can’t keep a good man down, and I suppose it was inevitable that your abilities would be recognised by others. And this was clearly the case with your appointment last year as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft. It is, therefore, only right that you now hand over the Grand Director of Ceremonies wand to another.
However, as my Senior Warden this year I know you will continue to support this Mark Province of ours and, as a token of my own personal appreciation, I ask that you kindly accept this small gift from me with very grateful thanks for your past support.
(the Provincial Grand Master presented Jim with a personal gift)
Now, turning to some of the events of the past year. You have already heard from the Provincial Grand Secretary that it has again been a busy, but I think a highly successful year. And I believe three specific events stand out that deserve further comment –
Provincial Stewards Lodge
October last saw the Consecration of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge. A wonderful occasion and a lodge I had been determined to bring into fruition. It is open to all Mark masons who have been, or are, Grand or Provincial Stewards in the Craft, Royal Arch and the Mark. It will provide a service lodge for the Province and be an enhancement to the Provincial Stewards Lodges in the Craft and the Royal Arch.
150th Anniversary of Grand Lodge
This was marked by a wonderful celebration meeting held at the Royal Albert Hall on the 26 October. A superb occasion, attended not only by our own Rulers but also by the Grand Master and the Pro Grand Master of the Craft. I think I can safely say it was a unique occasion!
It was also marked by a donation of £3m to the National Osteoporosis Society for the provision of up to 10 mobile scanning units. However, as some of you may be aware, continuation with the supply of these mobile scanners is under review due to new NHS and Government policy. I will keep you informed as to future developments.
120th Anniversary of the Province
2006 also saw the 120th anniversary of the Province, which was celebrated with a dinner in November, at which we had the pleasure of the company of the Assistant Grand Master and his good lady. All those who attended will, I am sure, agree that it was a superb venue for such a landmark in our history.
You will be aware that a celebratory booklet of the Province was produced, and I do hope that every member of the Province has now received a copy.
In addition:
Banners
Our tally of banners within the Province continues to grow, the latest being the
Harpenden Lodge Banner which I had the pleasure of dedicating just a few weeks ago.
Most are displayed behind me in all their splendour, and I am delighted that many of you continue to take up my invitation to introduce a Banner to your Lodge.
Mark meets the Craft
Our successful programme of Mark Meets the Craft continues, and I am, of course, delighted that our PGM in the Craft, RW Bro Colin Harris, continues with the support given by his predecessor to these presentations, particularly as they are received with so much interest by the members of his Lodges.
Appointments
(Grand Honours)
This afternoon also gives me the opportunity to congratulate those members of the Province who received Grand Honours and Promotion at the recently held Investiture Meeting of Grand Lodge.
- firstly, VW Bro Brian Tierney received promotion to the active office of SGO,
- Michael Roff now also becomes a VW Bro having received a very well earned promotion to PGJO,
- Bill Boyle received promotion to PGSD,
- and Colin Hellyer and Alan Wiffen were both promoted to PGJD.
- First appointments were received by W Bros
Paul Blakemore, Terry Bany, Charles Ager,
Terry Gray, Sudia Radia, Graham Holmes and John Sharp,
Similarly, at the Annual Assembly of RAM held last December,
W Bros Tony Chalkley, Brian François, Colin Hellyer, Ted Long, David Trumble and Michael Watts all received appointment to RAMGR;
To them all, I offer our heartiest congratulations.
(Provincial Honours)
- May I also extend congratulations to all those brethren whom I have had the pleasure of promoting and appointing to Provincial Grand Rank here today.
- Each of you is undoubtedly worthy of the respective appointment given, and whilst you will know they are in some part a recognition for past services,
- there is the greater expectation of increased commitment that your preferment implies.
- Brethren, I have said many times that Prov appointments have to be earned and, as such, you will be able to wear the badge of your rank with distinction and satisfaction.
- May I also congratulate, W Bros Harold Beck and Philip Cottam on being awarded my Silver Token.
Both have given many years of dedication and commitment to our Order, and I, again, congratulate them both.
- And what a delight to be able to present Sydney Lever with his 50 year Certificates in recognition of continuous service to our Order; again many congratulations.
Thanks
An occasion like this also gives me the opportunity to express my very grateful thanks for the invaluable help and support given to me personally, and to the Province in general.
- To the Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters for their commitment, wise counsel and friendship,
- to our Secretariat, W Bro Chris Radmore and his Deputy Albert Waite,
- the Treasurer, Duncan Beardsley,
- and our team of Directors of Ceremonies -
- my very grateful thanks to them all for their work throughout the year and, of course, in the preparation of this our Annual Meeting.
- To the outgoing Prov Wardens, I similarly thank them for a job well done in what has been, undoubtedly, a particularly busy year, and trust you have both enjoyed your year in office.
- To all the ‘behind the scenes’ helpers,
Dick Machin and his team who ensure we all get a much needed drink at the end of the meeting,
- Peter Boughton and his ‘team’ for undertaking the car parking responsibilities,
- and not forgetting the brethren from our new Prov Stewards Lodge.
- Brethren, today just does not happen, and to ensure we enjoy it to the full, much hard work and commitment has been given and, on behalf of us all, I am delighted to thank them for their time and support.
Way Forward
Brethren, may I now take a few minutes to advise you with regard to one or two matters that are currently in hand, and others I believe we need to address.
Firstly :
- In the report of the Provincial Grand Registrar, we heard that resignations have increased from the lows of previous years. When I became your PGM, I thought our big challenge was to attract new and younger members to join our lodges. Whilst this may, in some part, be true, it would appear that this is not the big challenge. It is to retain our members. Something which both I and the Executive continue to exercise our minds, and any thoughts you might have to reverse the trend will be most welcome.
And whilst talking about our membership, I would ask that you all support your Craft Lodges, by seeking to introduce new members there. The Craft is, of course, our very life blood; without new membership to our Craft Lodges we, in turn, cannot look to a realistic increase in ours.
Secondly :
Brethren, I would now like to tell you about a new Provincial Charity Appeal that I am launching today.
Last year, you may recall, you agreed to support 2 students through their 3 year degree course at the Herts University. This has proved such a success that I would now like to take this a step further by introducing, and providing in perpetuity, a Scholarship Endowment Fund. It will be known as the ‘Herts Mark Masons Endowment Fund.’
To endow a scholarship at the University costs £25,000; the interest generated from this will allow us to support an undergraduate student every three years at £1,000 a year.
I have invited the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Purcell to join us for dinner, and I know she will be only too pleased to tell us a little more of the Scholarship Endowment Scheme. It will also allow me to present her with a cheque for £1,000, which you kindly approved earlier, and open our account on this new exciting Prov challenge.
So brethren, our new Prov Appeal is to raise £25,000 in 3 years; a sum I know is well within our capabilities from the generosity you have previously displayed on similar projects.
Finally
Some of you, I am sure, will be aware that next year I shall complete 10 years as your PGM. So, today, I thought I should tell you that it is not my intention to seek a renewal of my Patent of Appointment when it expires late next year.
This then, brethren, is the last occasion I shall have the pleasure of presiding over PGL.
However, before any of you start to write me off already, let me tell you that I shall not be leaving tomorrow, or the next day, but will still be your PGM well into next year.
Inevitably the rumours will start as to who will be my successor, so brethren, I will tell you - once I know, you will know!
I have already mentioned some of the things we propose undertaking during this coming year, and to ensure their implementation and the continued success of our Province, I shall be looking for continuation of the support you have given me over the past 9 years.
All I would say at this time is that it is an honour and privilege, and enormous fun, to be your PGM. Together we have seen many changes, hopefully most for the better, take place since I came to office. However, I am sure I will have the opportunity to say more on this on a later, much later, occasion.
Conclusion
- May I conclude by thanking you all for listening to me, and for the warmth and hospitality shown to both myself and the other members of the Prov Team when we visit your Lodges.
- Within Freemasonry, and particularly Mark Masonry, we speak of being happy and of the need to communicate happiness. I trust this has been well in evidence here today.
- Long may Happy Hertfordshire continue to be just that!
- God bless you all.
[Given at Rickmansworth on Tuesday 17th July 2007]
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