Provincial Prior's Address - 2010 AGM

Brother Knights, I start as always by thanking you for attending here today in such good numbers; I trust that when you leave after lunch you will have, as our Craft ritual says, “United in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness”. For this is our aim.

I congratulate all I have appointed and invested here today and look forward to their company during the next 12 months. I also take this opportunity to thank our outgoing team who have supported the Province so well during their term in office.

Today saw two long serving and dedicated members of my team stepping down from office; Indeed they have been part of my team from day one back in 2000. Firstly E.Kt. Frank Green who at that time was Deputy Commander of my Bodyguard, became Deputy Marshal in 2002 and willingly stepped into the demanding role of Marshal at very short notice in 2004.

Frank, thank you for the unstinting support and advice you have given me over the years and I hope you will not fade into the sunset but continue to make an enthusiastic contribution to our Province.

Back in 2000, E.Kt. Martin Bell was a junior member of my Bodyguard and in 2004 became its Deputy Commander; a position he has held with great dedication until today. All good things have to come to an end at some time and although this door may have closed I know, Martin, that you have responsibilities elsewhere which are going to keep you well occupied! Thank you for your many years of support.

During the past year, E.Kt. Steve Groeger has attended upon our Grand Master with distinction; bringing great credit to our Province and himself. He also has been part of my team since day one; it therefore seemed an appropriate time to reward him with the opportunity to direct the ceremonial of the Province; as Marshal, we wish him every success, as we do the new Commander and Deputy Commander of my Bodyguard.

In May our Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master was again very generous to our Province with three of our members being promoted and four knights receiving first appointments:
E.Kts. Gerry Southwell, Tony Bargrove and David Coombes were all promoted to P.Gt.Heralds
My Sub-Prior, E.Kt. Jonathan Whitaker was appointed P.Gt.St.B.(B), E.Kt. Trevor Hales P.Gt. A-de-C., E.Kt. David Walker, P.Gt.W.of Regalia, and E.Kt. Derek Wright to P.Gt. Chamberlain.

Two of our members were so honoured through other Provinces; E.Kt. Keith Rushall-Smith promoted to P.Gt.St.B.(B) through Dorset & Wilts., and E.Kt. Derek Ford appointed P.Gt.Chamb., through Surrey.
I congratulate them all and wish them great joy in their new stations.

You may think that after the hectic time the Province experienced during 2009 that 2010 should be a time for quiet reflection. Not so. Thanks to the hard work of Bro.Kt. Rod Armitage and his team, our Provincial website is now up and running well. More importantly, it is being used on a regular basis by those from inside and without the Province. Rod I do thank you, not only for creating it but for the regular updating which is so important. Brother Knights, it’s there as a tool for you to use please do so!

Our team of thespian knights has been expanded somewhat and is in rehearsal for a performance to be held at Mark Masons Hall on 24th July as part of our Grand Master’s Anabta Appeal. This will be the first performance to a mixed audience of knights, non masons and ladies; A challenge for us all. Full details including the booking form are on our website and also available through your Registrars. We will be performing elsewhere during the year including here on home territory. Again the website will have the details.

On October 31st we will be holding our Family Church Service at St. Cross in Winchester; full details are already on the Provincial website.

Before concluding, I must thank the many people who have helped with the organisation of our meeting. Our Provincial Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, Provincial Marshal, Deputy Marshal, Commander & Deputy Commander of the Bodyguard, Peter Dyke and his volunteers, the hall management, and Jeff Southwick for his help with the ladies trip.

The messages conveyed in each of the Orders of Freemasonry are designed to aid us in our journey through life, teaching us how to be better citizens for the good of all. The Charge After Initiation is the solid foundation on which we should build our lives, the Precepts of our Order which we will be reminded of in a short while, build on and reinforce the Craft message, ending with the words “striving for the welfare of your Brethren”

Brother Knights, I suggest we go forth and do likewise!  God Bless us all.

Diary Note:  The 2011 Provincial AGM will be held at Botley Masonic Centre on Saturday 3rd September. 
                  
Addendum:

Those who were at our 1825 KT ceremony demonstration in Winchester will recall that the Great Vice-Chancellor referred to an appeal for £110,000 which our Grand Master is going to launch for a specific piece of equipment for the Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. This will be over some two years and in addition to the usual annual contributions made by each Province and Preceptory. With our agreement he went on to say that performances of our demonstration up and down the country would be one of the ways in which Great Priory sees this sum being attained. Further details of our Ceremony Demonstration Team may be found in our section entitled Charities or click here.