The Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Surrey took place on Saturday, 19 March at the Croydon and District Masonic Hall.
The business of Provincial Grand Lodge commenced with the Provincial Grand Master individually welcoming the many representatives of other Provinces and Masonic Orders. These included V.W.Bro. John Bell, President of the Mark Benevolent Fund and R.W.Bro. David Ashbolt, Deputy President of the Mark Benevolent Fund, and Past Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of London. 16 Provinces were represented at the meeting, as well as 11 other Orders in Surrey.
The Travelling Keystone was returned to the Provincial Grand Master by Brother Keith Jacobs, who was Advanced into Weald of Surrey Mark Lodge in October 2021. He was supported by many members of the Lodge.
The Travelling Keystone was introduced in 2016 to encourage visiting and promote the exchange of good will within the Province. Its journey started in Bond of Friendship Lodge and the passport shows that it has been to many Lodges within the Province. RW.Bro. Ian said that it was to be presented later at the Festive Board to the Lodge with the highest percentage of members dining.
The Provincial Grand Master said that he had pleasure in presenting his charity award to the Lodge adjudged to have best supported the Provincial Benevolent Fund during the 2021 – 2022 financial year. He was pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2021 – 2022 embroidered Scrip Purse this year was Welcome Lodge No. 1237. W.Bro. Max Woodward was escorted to the pedestal to be presented with the embroidered Scrip Purse.
W.Bro. Ray Beadle was escorted to the pedestal to be presented with his Grand Patron Diamond Collaret. W.Bro. Steve Jones then presented the Provincial Grand Master with a cheque £5,133 towards the Festival from his regalia sales.
There were additional presentations towards our Festival from M.W.Bro. Peter Ribi; R.W.Bro. David Ashbolt; W.Bro. John French on behalf of the Allied Masonic Degrees; V.W.Bro. Arnold Long on behalf of the Order of the Scarlet Cord; W.Bro. Colin Beerling on behalf of the Order of the Secret Monitor; W.Bro. Charles Stoddart on behalf of the Royal Order of Scotland; and £3,000 from the Mark Provincial Grand Officers’ Mess. The Provincial Grand Master expressed his appreciation for the generous donations.
The Provincial Grand Master confirmed the re-appointment of W.Bro. John Vaughan Christopher French, P.G.J.D., as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province. W.Bros. Richard John Knox, P.G.S.D., and William Raymond Barr, P.G.J.D., were re-appointed as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.
A total of 80 appointments and promotions in Provincial Grand Rank were announced; as well as 15 Brethren receiving Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank.
Following the Provincial Grand Master’s address, the meeting was then called to order and closed in due form. The Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, together with members of the Past Executive, honoured guests and Provincial Officers then left the Temple in procession to the echoing strains of Land of Hope and Glory, accompanied by W.Bro. Bob Soper, Provincial Grand Organist.
