Annual Meeting 2026
Mark Province of London celebrates another successful year
Well over 500 brethren attended the London Provincial Annual Meeting on a very hot 9 July, presided over by our Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Tom Quinn, which started with a number of processions of distinguished brethren and which ended 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 140+ candidates who had been Advanced in the last 12 months.
As has now become something of a tradition, we had the Stow Caledonian Pipe Band playing. The business of the day was conducted efficiently by Tom Master as we have come to expect, which included the obligation and investiture of V.W. Bro. Matthew Gibbs P.G.J.O. as Assistant Provincial Grand Master (following the retirement of W. Bro. Christopher Bamford Damp); plus the investiture of 150 Provincial appointments and promotions. In his Address (which can be read here), Tom announced that the recent abseiling challenge had raised in excess of £25,000 in support of prostate cancer awareness and testing. This is in addition to the £45,000 raised for the Hampshire & IoW 2026 MBF Festival plus a donation to Warwickshire’s 2027 Festival, for which a cheque for £7,500 was presented to their Provincial Grand Master. Other presentations included a donation of £23,500 to the Grand Master’s Key Stone Fund and the award of Silver and Olive Branch Pins to 4 worthy recipients for excellent ceremonies of Advancement and Elevation. There was also a very special presentation of the PGM’s Award of Merit to V.W. Bro. Mark Corcoran who has retired after 14 years of service as the Province’s Tyler.
Following the meeting, there was a drinks reception and then dinner in the Connaught Rooms for over 400 members and guests of the Province at the end of which, to mark the forthcoming 80th birthday of DAvid Ashbolt, there was the obligatory singing of “Happy Birthday” by everyone. Tom then sang another specially composed song (with backing singers) to much amusement and to thunderous applause.
All too soon, the festivities were over – although many of the local pubs were overflowing with some very happy (and hot!) Mark Master Masons for many hours afterwards!
Content: Richard Criddle, Gary Stratmann, Hiko Tanaka
