The Provincial Annual Meeting
Over 600 brethren attended our Provincial Annual Meeting on a very hot 10 July and, once everyone was seated in the Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall, the processions started – with the final 3 comprising the reigning Worshipful Masters, the reigning Worshipful Commanders and then – the biggest procession by far – the Newly Advanced Brethren representing the majority of the 114 brethren who had been Advanced in the last 12 months.
As has now become something of a tradition, we had the London Scottish Pipes & Drums playing. The business of the day was conducted by the Provincial Grand Master as smoothly as normal, which included the obligation and investiture of W. Bro. Jon Wallis P.G.S.D. as APGM (replacing W. Bro. Marios Stylianides), a new Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in the form of W. Bro. Steve Roberts P.A.G.D.C. and a new Provincial Grand Secretary – W. Bro. Kevin Hendle G.J.D. During the meeting we closed off to welcome Mr Ben Challacombe (a consultant urological surgeon) to talk about prostate cancer – something that will be the focus of the Province’s charity efforts for the next couple of years – and representatives from the Cabmens’ Shelter Fund to receive a cheque for £25,000 following a recent fund-raising event by the Province.
Following the meeting, there was a drinks reception and then dinner in the Connaught Rooms for over 400 members and guests of the Province. During the banquet guests were entertained by a Romanian brother, Bro. Alexandru Constantin, who sang a number of solo pieces. The new Provincial Grand Senior Warden, W. Bro. Scott Cargill, gave a heartfelt toast to the Provincial Grand Master and, as part of his response, R.W. Bro. Tom Quinn sang a song (to the tune of My Old Man’s a Dustman) with plenty of audience participation and to thunderous applause.
But all too soon, the formalities were over – although many of the local pubs were overflowing with some very happy Mark Master Masons for some hours after!
