Provincial Grand Lodge

 

At the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in June, the Provincial Grand Master re-appointed W Bro. Peter Vaughan PSGD as Deputy PGM. Later, in his Address the Provincial Grand Master said,

 

“Brethren, it is my very pleasant duty to welcome you all here today and to thank you for coming along to support the Bedfordshire Mark Province.

 

It is also a great pleasure to be able to welcome to our distinguished guests from other Provinces to repay their generosity when we have had the pleasure of attending their meetings.  I also extend a warm welcome to the executive members of other Orders who have given up a Saturday to support us. To the Masters and brethren of Bedfordshire lodges, I also express my thanks and those of other members of the Executive for the warm welcome we have received when visiting them.

 

I am also delighted to welcome, once again, our Past PGM RW Bro. Harry Arnold.  As usual, he has been scrutinizing the accounts and voted against their adoption!.

 

In April this year, we were delighted to receive a deputation from RW Bro. George Bonham and many of his brethren who visited Stuart Lodge here in Bedford to see how an Advancement Ceremony should be conducted!  I believe we all enjoyed a fantastic evening with over 70 dining under the Mastership of W Bro. Mick Crisp.  

 

Earlier this month, the Grand Master MW Bro. HRH Prince Michael of Kent promoted W Bro. Reg Jones to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, to reflect all his dedicated service to Mark Masonry in this Province and to the Ampthill Lodge especially.  In addition, W Bro. Alan Townsend, who has worked so hard as a DC and Treasurer here in Bedford, has received a first appointment to Past Asst Grand Sword Bearer through the Province of Kent.

 

On behalf of my Executive, I thank all the Acting Provincial Officers who retire from their posts today for the hard, and I hope enjoyable work, they have contributed in the last year.  

 

Of course today is especially about rewarding those brethren who have put so much into Mark Masonry in Bedfordshire.  I congratulate all those brethren whom I have appointed and promoted today – their new ranks are earned through “patient industry and merit”. Brethren let me emphasize that receiving a first appointment is in recognition of their service to their own Lodges – brethren who have been promoted today have been rewarded for their work in the Province as well as in their own Lodges.  Promotion in the Province is not a right and goes to those who support both their Lodge and the Province.  Brethren, you are the backbone of all our Lodges – without your efforts, Mark Masonry would be the poorer.

 

I have taken the unusual step this year of re-appointing both my Senior and Junior Wardens – Bedfordshire is a relatively small Province with only 9 Mark Lodges and it can be difficult to fill all the necessary Provincial Offices without some brethren occupying the same post for a second year or without promoting existing Provincial Officers too quickly.  W Bros Martin Gray and Arthur Peill have been very supportive and hard working during their year as Wardens and I had no hesitation in asking them to remain in office for a further year.

 

For the first time, we have begun to introduce mentoring in our Lodges, albeit in a low key way.  Supporting and encouraging new members is a duty for us all and the role of the Almoners and Lodge Secretaries is vital in helping this to happen.  I especially pay tribute to W Bro. Ron Rawlings who has been instrumental in making this happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last year the competition to claim the title of “Friendliest Lodge” was won by Biscot Lodge which had the highest ratio of visitors to members. This year I am delighted to award that honour, once again to the Biscot Lodge which had the highest percentage of visitors compared with the number of members!.  Brother Director of Ceremonies, will you please escort the Secretary, W Bro. Derek Fake to me to receive the Certificate on behalf of the Lodge.

 

As you cannot fail to have noticed, today “marks” the retirement of W Bro. John Luttrell from the office of Provincial Grand Secretary.  John first took Provincial office as Deputy Secretary in 1998, had a year as Senior Warden in 2004, resumed as Deputy Secretary for further 3 years and then was appointed as Provincial Grand Secretary in January 2007.  He has held Provincial Office continuously for 13 years and has filled all his roles with great distinction and commitment – something which we should all try to achieve!.  It is only fitting that we should “mark” his retirement in some way – I have to confess that I spoke to his wife Janet recently to see if she could suggest a gift.  As you would expect, she said “he is a difficult person to buy for, but he does like Jameson’s Irish Whisky”.  A student of Irish history would not find that surprising as his ancestors lived in Luttrellstown near Dublin and were known as vagabonds and rascals!.”

 

The PGM then presented W Bro. John with an antique ebony, ivory and silver maul to mark his retirement.

 

He then went on to say, “At the risk of ruining your lunch, I would like to be a little more serious for once.  The present economic difficulties and changing social pressures will inevitably have an effect on our membership and on that of our Craft Lodges.  A couple of years ago, I said much the same thing in the hope that the financial situation would improve – sadly this has not proved the case.   Thus it makes it so much more important to help our less fortunate members and to ensure that they get great enjoyment and spiritual value from membership of their Lodges. Be aware of a Brother’s falling attendance; be aware of a Brother’s reluctance to join in extra activities and functions. They may be too proud to admit they need help.  Quietly offer any support and comradeship they need. Help them experience the sense of achievement that we feel after joining in our ceremonies. Help them find the ways in which we can make good men better, to enjoy the spiritual and moral standards which we share and the worldwide welcome we can expect from other Masons – the costs are small but the rewards are priceless.

 

Finally brethren, on your behalf I thank all those brethren who gave of their time and effort to make this meeting happen, especially my tireless and meticulous Provincial Secretary, W. Bro. John Luttrell.  To my Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Russ Howard and his team and to the Stewards and Car Park attendants who were willingly provided by the Ampthill Lodge today, I also offer my grateful thanks.

 

Brethren, thank you for your kind attention – I will see you all at lunch very shortly!.  God bless you all!