The Annual Meeting
What an awesome event!
Once the 700 or so brethren were seated in the Grand Temple, the processions started – with the final 3 comprising the reigning Worshipful Masters, the reigning Worshipful Commanders and then – the biggest procession by far and which seemed to last forever – the procession of those brethren who had joined our marvelous Order since September 2021. The applause for them was thunderous!
As has now become something of a tradition, we had the London Scottish Pipes & Drums playing. The business of the day was conducted as smoothly as normal, which included the obligation and investiture of W. Bro. Christopher Damp as APGM (replacing V.W. Bro. David Lucas, who stood down after 4 years of sterling service to the Province) as well as seeing the Provincial Grand Secretary, W. Bro. Robert Anderson, given the Provincial Grand Master’s Award of Merit.
Following the meeting, there was a drinks reception and then dinner in the Connaught Rooms for over 400 members and guests of the Province. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. Tim MacAndrews, gave a very entertaining and 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) the applause to which almost brought the house down!
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.
See you all next year!!
