On Saturday 6th April 2019, almost 90 brethren attended the Annual Meeting of the Province at the Chichester Masonic Hall on Saturday 6th April 2019, with RW.Bro. Lionel Broadbent Mee KSM, Provincial Grand Master presiding.
Of those attending, there were many members of the Province plus guests from Grand Court and the Provinces of Essex, Mercia, Wales and Wessex, together with Distinguished Brethren from many parts of our own Province.
Our special visitor was the Deputy Grand Master, RW.Bro. Roy William Leavers, GCh, GCSM, who was warmly welcomed by the Provincial Grand Master.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master introduced more than 30 visitors and other Distinguished brethren who are Heads of Orders, their Deputies, and members of the Executive within the Province - which comprises the Craft Provinces of Hampshire & Isle of Wight, South Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex and The Channel Islands. Also present was RW.Bro. Brian Prevett, GCSM, Past Provincial Grand Master.
During the meeting, the Provincial Grand Master invested and installed W.Bro. Mark Peter Donovan, KSM, as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in an excellent ceremony and with great dignity.
Prior to this ceremony, RW.Bro. Lionel thanked V W Bro Michael Ellis, KSM, PGSwdB for his support and dedication to his duties as Deputy Provincial Grand Master over the past three years, during which he had accompanied him on many visits to Courts around the Province.
The Provincial Grand Master then invested the Provincial Officers whom he had appointed for the ensuing year, and conferred Past Provincial Grand Rank on a number of other brethren.
In his Annual Address to the Brethren the Provincial Grand Master welcomed the Deputy Grand Master and thanked him for his attendance. He also said how delighted he was with the high level of support he had received from his Deputy, VW.Bro. Mike, and the outgoing team of Provincial Officers, many of whom had joined him on Official Visits to Courts throughout the year. He thanked all Courts for their warm welcome and hospitality on each and every occasion. A schedule of Official Visits for the coming year has been issued to the newly appointed Active Officers who are again invited to join him and new Deputy W Bro Mark on these visits.
The Provincial Grand Master thanked W.Bro. Ron Bentley, who is stepping down as Provincial Secretary after 3 years, for his contribution and diligence. He also thanked his successor, W.Bro. Richie Bratton, for taking over these important duties and wished him well for the future. He thanked the incoming Provincial Marshal, W.Bro. Chris Eley and his team, W.Bro. John Billett and W.Bro. Duncan Maguire, who did such a splendid job.
He also thanked W.Bro. Matthew Burt, Deputy Grand Organist, our Guest Organist, for his wonderful music; W Bro John Hickman, Provincial Treasurer, Chairman of Chichester Masonic Hall for use of the excellent venue and dining arrangements; and W Bro Martin Smith for taking the photographs. Thanks to all of these brethren for helping to make today’s meeting such a success.
Sixteen new members were instructed into the Order during the past twelve months bringing membership to around 235 - which after deducting multi-memberships leaves the number of members in excess of 200. The Province consists of 10 Courts.
The meeting was followed a pre-lunch Drinks Reception, after which 71 members and guests enjoyed an excellent and convivial Festive Board.
Click here to see a slideshow of photos from the day.
Article by RW.Bro. Lionel Mee and Photographs by W.Bro. Martin Smith
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Of those attending, there were many members of the Province plus guests from Grand Court and the Provinces of Essex, Mercia, Wales and Wessex, together with Distinguished Brethren from many parts of our own Province.
Our special visitor was the Deputy Grand Master, RW.Bro. Roy William Leavers, GCh, GCSM, who was warmly welcomed by the Provincial Grand Master.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master introduced more than 30 visitors and other Distinguished brethren who are Heads of Orders, their Deputies, and members of the Executive within the Province - which comprises the Craft Provinces of Hampshire & Isle of Wight, South Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex and The Channel Islands. Also present was RW.Bro. Brian Prevett, GCSM, Past Provincial Grand Master.
During the meeting, the Provincial Grand Master invested and installed W.Bro. Mark Peter Donovan, KSM, as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in an excellent ceremony and with great dignity.
Prior to this ceremony, RW.Bro. Lionel thanked V W Bro Michael Ellis, KSM, PGSwdB for his support and dedication to his duties as Deputy Provincial Grand Master over the past three years, during which he had accompanied him on many visits to Courts around the Province.
The Provincial Grand Master then invested the Provincial Officers whom he had appointed for the ensuing year, and conferred Past Provincial Grand Rank on a number of other brethren.
In his Annual Address to the Brethren the Provincial Grand Master welcomed the Deputy Grand Master and thanked him for his attendance. He also said how delighted he was with the high level of support he had received from his Deputy, VW.Bro. Mike, and the outgoing team of Provincial Officers, many of whom had joined him on Official Visits to Courts throughout the year. He thanked all Courts for their warm welcome and hospitality on each and every occasion. A schedule of Official Visits for the coming year has been issued to the newly appointed Active Officers who are again invited to join him and new Deputy W Bro Mark on these visits.
The Provincial Grand Master thanked W.Bro. Ron Bentley, who is stepping down as Provincial Secretary after 3 years, for his contribution and diligence. He also thanked his successor, W.Bro. Richie Bratton, for taking over these important duties and wished him well for the future. He thanked the incoming Provincial Marshal, W.Bro. Chris Eley and his team, W.Bro. John Billett and W.Bro. Duncan Maguire, who did such a splendid job.
He also thanked W.Bro. Matthew Burt, Deputy Grand Organist, our Guest Organist, for his wonderful music; W Bro John Hickman, Provincial Treasurer, Chairman of Chichester Masonic Hall for use of the excellent venue and dining arrangements; and W Bro Martin Smith for taking the photographs. Thanks to all of these brethren for helping to make today’s meeting such a success.
Sixteen new members were instructed into the Order during the past twelve months bringing membership to around 235 - which after deducting multi-memberships leaves the number of members in excess of 200. The Province consists of 10 Courts.
The meeting was followed a pre-lunch Drinks Reception, after which 71 members and guests enjoyed an excellent and convivial Festive Board.
Click here to see a slideshow of photos from the day.
Article by RW.Bro. Lionel Mee and Photographs by W.Bro. Martin Smith
< return to News Index
