Galleries

And what an absolutely fantastic day it was. We were honoured to have in attendance RW Bro Raymond Smith, the Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro John Prizeman, the Assistant Grand Master, Provincial Grand Masters from Scotland to Devon & Cornwall, from Wales to East Anglia. What a happy gathering it was from the Opening of the Provincial Grand Lodge, to the Investiture of the new Deputy PGM – Thomas Quinn, the two new APGMs Cliff Sturt and Tim MacAndrews – through the investiture of all the Provincial Officers of the Year and all the Promotions and First Appointments, until it was closed in due form by our own RW Bro David Ashbolt, the afternoon swept by.

During the Meeting a cheque for £5000.00 was presented by RW Bro David Ashbolt to RW Bro Richard Olliver, PGM of Berkshire as a contribution towards the MBF “Hope for Tomorrow ” Festival. After a short refreshment break we dined in great style at the Connaught Rooms where The Executive presented our PGM with his very own Axe and DPGM Tom Quinn read out a letter received from Buckingham Palace to our PGM. Our PGM Responded to W Bro Tom as one would, by now, expect!

RW Bro David then “requested” W Bro Steven Fenton, the Provincial Grand Treasurer, to present the Metropolitan Grand Master of the Craft, Sir Michael Snyder, with a cheque for £10,000.00 towards the London Air Ambulance Appeal, which Steven did with a tear in his eye! Sir Michael Snyder replied to the acclamation of the Brethen.

To all who attended “Thank you” and if you were unable to make it this year do try for next year. It really is the Jewel in the Crown of this wonderful Order. There will be a fuller write-up and a copy of the PGMs address in the next Newsletter.

Thanks must go to all who organized this wonderful day and to the Paparazzi who took the pictures: Nigel Harris, John Maund, Mark Woolcott, Rob Machin, Richard Veness, Ken Old and Chris James.