PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING.

Transcription

1 PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. Held at the Racecourse York under the Banners of York TI, Minerva 12TI, Star in the East No 95 and Humber No 182 at 11.00a.m on Saturday March 11 th 2017 PRESENT: R.. David Robert Clancey Provincial Grand Master V.W Bro Allan Cameron Scott P.G.J.O. Deputy Provincial Grand Master. Paul David Barham P.G.J.D. Assistant Provincial Grand Master V.. Frederick Arthur Smith, P.G.J.O. Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master V.. Francis George Woolgrove, P.G.J.O. Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master. DISTINGUISHED GUESTS PGM R. DURHAM Prof. Denovan Keith Wilson Dep. PGM V. Stuart Andrew Ingham P.G.J.O. Dep. PGM V.W Bro Danny Guy P.G.J.O. Past Dep. PGM V. Frank Alexander Rankin P.G.M.O. PG Secretary Ronald Trevor Lynn PGJW Peter Harrison CHESHIRE PGM R. David Robinson Sellers Dep. PGM Austin Westbury Bamber P.DepGSwdBr Assist. PGM Ronal Glyn Hewit P.G.J.D. PG Secretary Colin Hambleton P.A.G.D.C. DERBYSHIRE PGM R. Colin Cantrell Dep. PGM V. Philip Charles Ablott P.G.J.O. PG Secretary PGDC Ralph Everett Hitchin Peter James Hartley Brown EAST LANCASHIRE PGM R. Alexander S. McLaren P.A.G.D.C. P.G.S.D. Assist. PGM Anthony J. Davies P.G.J.D. Assist. PGM Past Assist. PGM V. Gerald N. H. Young Stephen Holt P.G. SWD P.G.M.O. PGJW Dr Robert Fielding Prov SW Prov. G Driver Bro Alex Cummings P.G.J.O. Page 1 of 13

2 NORTH WALES PGM R. Peter Talbot PG Secretary Graham Roland Bradshaw P.G.S.D. LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND PGM R.. Stepehn Davison Dep.PG Secretary Peter Gibson-Leith Prov.G. Treasurer Prov.G. Registrar Prov.G. ChStwd V. Tony Latham Terence A. Weston Clive S. Weston P.G.J.O. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & HUNTINGDONSHIRE Dep. PGM Dep.PG Secretary Prov.G. DirCer Robert Andrew Stokes J. David Sowerby David Balmer P.A.G.D.C. Dep. PGDC WEST LANCASHIRE PGM R. Keith Alan Beardmore Assist. PGM V. Ian Douglas Nairn P.G.J.O. LINCOLNSHIRE PGM R. Trevor John Walker Dep. PGM John Charles Board P.G.J.O. PGSW Prov.Assist G.Sec Trevor Knight Craig Maurier WEST YORKSHIRE PGM R.WBro Jim Steggles Assist. PGM Dr Rod Taylor P.G.J.D. Past Deputy PGM R. Brian Emmett PG Secretary Alan Oldfield P.G.J.D. Dep. PG Secretary Graham Anthony Cooper PGSW Mark James Kenyon CUMBERLAND & WESTMORLAND PGM R. Keith Hodgson Dep. PGM V. Barry Kirbride P.G.J.O. PG Secretary David Richardson Robinson P.G.S.D. PGJW David Christopher Pigney NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Dep. PGM V. Christopher Adkin P.G.S.D. Past Dep. PGM V. Geoffrey Brian Tindal P.G.J.O. PG Secretary PG Dir.Cer PGSW PGJW Malcolm Beecroft Bruce Routledge Hugh Stoggart Andrew Logan HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT PGM RW Bro George Deacon P.A.G.D.C. Page 2 of 13

3 PGM PGSnOvr R.. WORCESTERSHIRE Eric John Rymer Eric Patrick Lee WARWICKSHIRE Dep PGM Philip Wills P.G.J.D. Dep.PG Secretary Steve Mingo G. Stwd NORTHUMBERLAND PGM R.. Gordon Craigs Dep. PGM Assist. PGM Dep. PG Secretary. Stuart Cairns Richard Northey Clive. W. Robson P.G.J.D. P.G.J.D. STAFFORDSHIRE AND SHROPSHIRE Assist. PGM Keith John Spencer P.P.G.S.W. EAST ANGLIA PPGSW Martin Plane PPGJW Roger Browne HEADS OF ORDERS CRAFT NORTH and EAST RIDINGS PGM Dep PGM Assist PGM Past PGM Past Assist PGM Dep G Supt P 3 rd G Prin R W Bro V W Bro W Bro R W Bro W Bro Jeffery Gillyon William Henry Fisher Samson Sassoon Samuel Judah Richard John Anderson Thomas Henry Wood CHAPTER Peter Michael Mawer Anthony Burke RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE N&E YORKSHIRE Intendant General Dep. Int. General Past Int. General Very Illustrious Insp Gen. 33 Degree Prov Recorder David John Roach Neil Webster David Fox Michael Osgathorpe Geoffrey Butler Graham Wandless ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE Y&NE RIDINGS V.I.Insp Gen Michael Graham ROYAL and SELECT MASTERS Dist GM Dist GP Cond Works Dist Rec Neil Thomas Woodward Thomas Spinks David Roach Page 3 of 13

4 ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR Prov G Sup Ruler Prov Rec Past PG Sup Ruler Dep GM Mason Dep GM Mason Dep GM Mason Dep GM Mason Dep GM Mason Graham Henry Fenwick Roger Booker Dennis Slights THE OPERATIVES Graham Henry Fenwick Roger Booker David John Roach Gordon Setterfield David George Fox SOCIETAS ROSCICRUCIANA in ANGLIA Chief Adept of Northern Counties Suffragan of the Northern Counties Nicholas Varey Martin Elwick The Brethren were assembled in the Lodge at am to receive the Host Lodge Banners and Worshipful Masters followed by the Heads of other orders and the Right Worshipful Brethren of Grand Mark Lodge. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, escorted by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, the Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters, the Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge then entered Provincial Grand Mark Lodge in procession. Opening The opening hymn was sung after which Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was opened in due form at 11.00am. Royal Ark Mariner Delegation It was announced that a delegation of Royal Ark Mariner s sought permission to enter and were welcomed into Provincial Grand Mark Lodge by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. Salutations The Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and the Right Worshipful Brethren of Grand Mark Lodge were then saluted in due form. Welcome by the Host Lodges W Bro Dodd welcomed the Provincial Grand Master and Brethren on behalf of the Host Lodges. Welcome by the Provincial Grand Master The Provincial Grand Master then welcomed the Distinguished Guests and the Heads of Other Orders as previously announced. Obituaries Given by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Brethren Since our last meeting 12 months ago, the Great Overseer of the Universe has called 19 of our brethren to a greater service above. All of the these brethren were valued members and gave much to our order, they will all be sadly missed by their Families, Friends, Lodges and Mark Masonry in general but I m sure they will all be warmly remembered. I shall read their Names and Lodges, after which the Provincial Grand Chaplain will offer a prayer of remembrance followed by the Provincial Grand Organist who will play one verse of the memorial Hymn. Obituaries 10th March th March 2017 David Anthony Batley 03/02/2017 Donald Clubley 13/02/2017 Edward Arthur Henry Large 03/02/2017 Frank Haward Simpson 09/07/2016 Garrick Leon Gorford 27/12/2016 George Henry Frampton 25/01/2017 Glyn Cowling 19/09/2016 Page 4 of 13

5 Gordon Richard Fowler 02/07/2016 Hendrik Frans Van Beek 30/09/2016 James Cook McKechnie 24/11/2016 John Arnold Thrower 11/08/2016 John Arthur Tomkins 15/10/2016 John Richard Struan Robertson 09/10/2016 Kenneth Boaz 30/10/2016 Laurence Nicholson 16/01/2017 Peter Oliver Preston 14/07/2016 Peter William Rutt 28/04/2016 Reginald Kenneth Cooley 09/07/2016 Ronald Harris 02/02/2017 The Provincial Chaplain. Maurice Hatton, then gave a prayer and the brethren stood in silence whilst the Provincial Organist John Warburton played solemn music. Roll of Officers The Provincial Grand Registrar, Tom Spinks, confirmed the attendance of all Provincial Officers. Roll of Lodges The Provincial Grand Registrar, Tom Spinks confirmed that all Lodges in the Province were well represented. Further Correspondence The Provincial Grand Secretary confirmed that there was no further correspondence to bring before Provincial Grand Lodge but he had received apologises for absence from many distinguished quests and many of the Mark Master Masons of this Province who were unable to attend and had sent their best wishes to the Provincial Grand Master. Minutes The Provincial Grand Secretary confirmed that there had been no additions or amendments to the minutes of the meeting held on the 12th March, John Tennant, Provincial Grand Senior Warden proposed and Peter Spencer Provincial Grand Junior Warden seconded, that the Minutes of the Annual Convocation held on Saturday 12 th March, 2016 open for inspection on the Secretaries table prior to this meeting and having been circulated, be adopted. The proposition was carried. Report of the Provincial Grand Secretary.. Clive Copley presented his report as printed and circulated. Report of the Provincial Grand Secretary Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and brethren, in my final report it is again my pleasant duty to report to you that this Province has been very busy since our last meeting. For a further year I can report that the Provincial Officers of the year have supported all rulers at both Installations and team visits with enthusiasm and sincerity and also received generous support from the Grand Officers of the year as well as their predecessors who support installations and celebratory visits across the Province thus vindicating the decision to award appointments and promotions both at Provincial level and to Grand Lodge on the strength of the commitment expected in the future rather than solely on that shown in the past. The attendances have maintained a high level and again demonstrate the eagerness to support not only the Rulers who lead the teams but also all the Lodges within the Province thus making their Installations successful occasions and memorable for the new teams of officers. All the Host Lodges of the 2016 Convocation have received the full support of the Provincial Team at their Installations. In previous reports I have mentioned awards to our senior brethren who have reached long service in this degree. We have had a quiet period but will hopefully be preparing for two or three later in the year. These celebrations are very important not only to the individual brethren but also to this Province and I ask all members, especially Secretaries, to keep the Secretariat informed of any event they feel warrants recognition. We already have a busy schedule each year but with early notification we can usually organise team visits to any Lodge with sufficient notice. Members of the Provincial Executive have once again represented the Province of North and East Yorkshire across the country at other Provincial Annual Meetings, to the North in Northumberland, the west in North Wales and as far south as Bristol. Although it is always a pleasant and enjoyable experience being invited to and taking part in other Province s Annual Meetings, those who have been able to visit have sometimes had considerable distances to travel at their own expense. As always the Annual Returns show that although the advancements and joining members were significant albeit reduced when compared to the previous year, the number of those who resigned, died, excluded or received Honorary membership outweigh the gains. I reported last year that the resignations from a Lodge indicated that membership was retained within the Province and merely relinquished a duplicate membership a number resigned from their one and only Page 5 of 13

6 Lodge. We cannot ascertain how many memberships are terminated by those who rarely attend their Lodges if at all. My impression from reasons given is that old age, work commitments and family circumstances are significant factors. It is very important for Lodges to look at methods of increasing their membership. We are already looking at further promoting the Mark meets the Craft initiative where in the past Lodges have successfully recruited new members. All Lodges should bear in mind that any request for assistance from Province must be made early so that a team can be assembled without disrupting their own Masonic commitments. The Provincial Social Committee have been very busy organising a range of social events across the Province. The Burns Night, Summer Ball, Fish and Chip Suppers, Family Sunday Lunches, and the Northern Variety Evening at Middlesbrough Masonic Hall, all provide social opportunities for everyone across the Province to involve non Mark Masons as well as our own members. These occasions are opportunities to sell our Order over and above those offered by individual Lodges. We must always remember that these events take a great deal of organising and thanks must go to the members of the Social Committee who devote time and effort throughout the year. Our range of accessories is still available from the Secretariat, and comprises Ties, Bow Ties, Handkerchiefs and Lapel Pins. We have a stock of our own Provincial Tokens and also Trolley Tokens which were intended to raise money for the Mark Masons Charity Fund. Please contact Bill Glanville in the first instance to order any of the items that are in stock. A new supply of the Provincial Tie is now available at this meeting. It is important to note that although we supply some Masonic regalia outlets with ties, bulk orders from Lodges should be sought from Provincial stocks as it will be speedier and cheaper for the Lodge. Finally, I must reiterate the dedication shown by all in the Secretariat. To my Deputy, Bill Glanville I thank him for his commitment as Deputy. To Geoff Nicholson as Assistant Secretary, especially for the organisation of this meal after this meeting. I thank our Registrar Tom Spinks for his patient commitment to oversee the completion of the Annual Returns and whose IT skills have added a new dimension to our database and website. I thank them all for the enthusiastic and thorough manner in which they have completed their duties. In conclusion may I thank all the Secretaries and Scribes who have been diligent in their duties of the past year, for without their support our jobs would be much more difficult. To those less diligent, please try to follow the example shown by the majority as we are all working hard to promote Mark Masonry in this Province and we need everyone on board in order to keep the wheels well oiled and running smoothly. This, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, is my report. The R W Prov Grand master thanked Copley for his report and for his support and hard work over the years as Provincial Secretary. Joe Howe the Provincial Grand Master Overseer proposed and John Simpson the Provincial Grand Senior Overseer seconded that, The report of the Provincial Grand Secretary as printed and circulated be adopted. The proposition was carried. REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL CHARITY COMMITTEE The audited accounts of the Benevolent Fund for the year ending 5 th April 2016 confirmed the expected excess of expenditure of 15,760. In that year there was exceptional expenditure of 7,000 as the final instalment of the contribution to the Craft 2018 Festival and 10,000 to the Mark Benevolent Fund towards our own Festival in As a result, the 2016/17 year started with funds of 54,516 of which 35,820 is held as a reserve. In the year to date income received was 20,075: Donations from Brn 5,258 Lodge Collections and donations 13,231 RAM Assembly 696 Royal & Select Masters and other donations 890 Further income is expected from the March Convocation collection and from HMRC Gift Aid tax reclaim. The Charity Committee authorised expenditure in support of local worthy causes during the year of 20,000 and 8,750 was remitted to the Mark Benevolent Fund for patronage collarettes. St John s Ambulance 2,000 Page 6 of 13

7 North Yorkshire Scouts 2,000 North Yorkshire Sea Cadet units 2,000 Yatton House 2,000 Welburn Village Hall 500 Scarborough Disable Action Group 500 The Junction Foundation (Redcar) 500 Connaught Court 500 York Rescue Boat 2,000 The collaret payment to the MBF was allocated to Mark Provincial Festivals as below: Berkshire ,000 Lincolnshire ,000 East Lancashire ,750 West Yorkshire ,000 N & E Yorkshire ,000 The Provincial Fund remains in good health with income from Brethren and Lodges higher than in previous years as a result of some one-off donations and it maintains adequate reserves to cover future liabilities. This is only achieved through the unstinting generosity of the Brethren and the hard work of the Lodge Charity Stewards, which is greatly appreciated. David Tunstall the Provincial Grand Junior Overseer proposed and John Hemy the Provincial Grand Insp. Of Works seconded that, The report of the Charity Committee as printed and circulated be adopted. The proposition was carried. REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND ALMONER Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and brethren all I have pleasure in submitting my report as the Mark Provincial Almoner. It has been a busy first year and I am grateful to the many lodge almoners that I have to date needed to work with, I also now thank them most sincerely for their support. My assistant Malcolm Farrow and I have a good working relationship and he provides valuable support. The retired assistant Peter Armstrong seems to be working harder than ever on behalf of his lodges and thus the Province and I am grateful for his support along with the many other lodge almoners who also do such a good job. I also take this opportunity to thank those many lodge brethren who have taken the trouble to provide information to me of those who may need assistance. Most lodge almoners work hard at their role and they make a difference to their lodges, communicating well where assistance is required. Some lodges still however consider it as a office to be filled rather than one which is important and requiring the right brother in it. This is something I must try to deal with. It is also interesting to see how often in lodges when an almoner has presented his report another brother stands to report facts which should perhaps have been properly passed to the almoner earlier to allow him to get involved. Some almoners require assistance and I have started on this with visits to their lodges and conversations, hopefully supportive, as well as the provision of supporting documentation. The planned February almoners training course could not be held on the day of the Gen. Purpose meeting as there wasn t a space available at Connaught Court, the alternative date didn't fit the majority of almoners who responded. Alternative arrangements have been made and a formal training meeting planned jointly with the Craft and Chapter. In the meantime, I will circulate a set of slides setting out the key issues, these can serve as a basis for comment when we do get together and hopefully will provide an aid memoir to those who are reasonably new in particular. It has been an interesting first year and learning is of necessity rapid, many brethren feel that they are being a nuisance rather than deserving assistance. This is a Yorkshire attitude I suspect but all are grateful for the interest shown, particularly that the Provincial Grand Master is aware of their situation. Too often still it is the Page 7 of 13

8 P.G.M who reports illness to me but hopefully this will improve as I work more with lodge almoners and brethren know who I am. The Provincial Almoner role is compelling to be involved with, and hopefully to a degree I am becoming useful at least to those who feel they need support. Documentation from the Grand Benevolent Fund is a little out of date and I have communicated my views. Working relationships with the Craft and Chapter Almoners and now those of other orders is progressing well, this is bound to improve the support we can provide and hopefully speed up action where it is required. R. W. Provincial Grand Master, my report. J. David Jennings Adrian Jessop Provincial Grand Sword Bearer proposed and W Bro Bruce Lowis Provincial Grand Senior Deacon seconded that, the report of the Almoner as printed and circulated be adopted. The proposition was carried. REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND TREASURER Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and Brethren, My annual report this year, my first, is based on the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 st August 2015 which will be circulated to the Lodges following this meeting. The income generated in the period has not quite been sufficient to discharge all normal expenditure and results in a surplus of expenditure over income of 268. The balance on the Accumulated Fund is now 43,364 with the Provincial cash reserves at 37,540. This year the Province has supported the Provincial Almoner s fund with a donation of 500. The Province has also continued to support new and re-joining members to the Mark degree, by funding their Grand Lodge fees, and is to continue this support this. The ability to hold this highly successful Provincial Meeting has been by the efforts of all those brethren who have organised, promoted and supported The Autumn Draw, The Keystone Club and Social Fund Activities and on behalf of all the brethren in this Province, I thank you all. At the present time the Provincial Dues will remain under review. I would like to thank the Past Provincial Treasurer for all his help and support over the last year, and also our independent examiners. Michael C. Jeffrey and. John Kilmartin for their help, guidance with which they conducted the examination of the Financial Statements. I also thank the secretariat for their help throughout the year. Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and brethren that concludes the Treasurer s Report. W Bro Peter Nesbitt Provincial Grand Senior Deacon proposed and W Bro Paul Cowley Provincial Grand Junior Deacon seconded that the Treasurers report, as circulated, be adopted. The proposition was carried. The Provincial Grand Master then added his appreciation of the work of the Provincial Treasurer and the Provincial Account Examiners. Election of Provincial Grand Treasurer Melvin Harmer Provincial Grand Junior Deacon proposed and W Bro John Spencer Provincial Grand Standard Bearer seconded, that W Bro James Johnson of St. Peters Lodge No be elected as the Provincial Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year. The proposition was carried. Page 8 of 13

9 Election of Provincial Independent Account Examiners Stephen Cox Provincial Grand Steward proposed and W Bro Donald Cook Provincial Grand Steward seconded that W Bro Michael Charles Jeffrey and W Bro John Kilmartin be elected as Provincial Independent Account Examiners for the ensuing year. The proposition was carried. Collection A collection was taken and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward later reported that the collection on behalf of Masonic Charities had raised over 2000 (incl. Gift Aid Donations and Tax reclaimed). THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS ADDRESS My first pleasant duty is to officially welcome our Distinguished Guests and Heads of Orders. Before which brethren I would like to update you on the announcement that was made at the Grand Lodge held in London on Tuesday. The Pro Grand Master M.. Richard Wallis announced that he will stand down from office at the June meeting, The Deputy Grand Master. R. Raymond Smith, will be installed as the Pro Grand Master and the Assistant Grand Master, R. John Prizeman as Deputy Grand Master. A new Assistant Grand Master will then be installed. I m absolutely delighted to tell you brethren that the Assistant Grand Master Designate is in attendance today. I m sure that you would all like to congratulate, R. Stephen Davison, soon to be the Assistant Grand Master. R. Steve many congratulations, I and the Province of North & East Yorkshire wish you well in your new office, I m sure you will be a resounding success. I know brethren you will be eager to show your appreciation of the presence of our visitors this morning but I ask you to hold back on your traditional welcome until I have completed the extensive list. Distinguished guests and heads of orders named individually. I hope Brethren I have not missed anyone, if I have I do apologize, but you are most welcome. Brethren of North & East Yorkshire it is now your time to welcome our Distinguished Guests and Heads of Orders. Doesn t a year go by quickly when you are enjoying yourself, and I m certainly enjoying being your Provincial Grand Master. Hopefully brethren the year has flown by for you and you have all enjoyed your Mark Masonry. That is, and always will be, my main message, enjoyment. Masonry should be Enjoyable and Fun. I believe that having fun at our meetings and social events is the best way of retaining membership and convincing our non-mark men from the craft to join the Mark. I also believe that when we perform ceremonies we should do them to the best of our ability, with no ritual book in sight. Enjoyment in the lodge should not be detrimental to the standard of ritual we deliver; a well performed ceremony is the key to a happy and enjoyable lodge. I acknowledge Ritual is not for everyone but everyone should do their best. As my Assistant Provincial Grand Master has said in the past, it s down to personal pride in oneself in how we deliver ritual, make that extra effort brethren, you will feel better for giving all you have rather than taking the easy option and reading from a book. Membership of our order has remained pretty much the same as last year, although we have had 39 advancements and 21 re-joining or joining members during the year, deaths, honorary memberships and other factors have reduced the numbers slightly, but we are growing steadily. Yet again my message to you all is simple; convince those non-mark men in your Craft lodge to join the Mark. Emphasise what we have to offer, the enjoyment that we all gain from being a member of the Mark. I m sure brethren our numbers have been swelled over the year by the good work that has been done by V. David Crofts and his team in presenting the Mark meets the Craft evenings, My grateful thanks to all the team. Worshipful Masters and Lodge Secretaries, if you haven t already done so, please contact the Provincial Secretary and arrange for a presentation to be done in your lodge. Our first presentation at Minerva 12TI last year brought in ten new members. I m delighted brethren to welcome to our meeting today our very newest member, Bro Martin Stubbs of York Ti, advanced on Wednesday, my candidate. Bro. Martin I hope you have many happy and enjoyable years in Mark Masonry. There can be no better advert for the Mark than to advertise the fact that the Craft Provincial Grand Master, R. Jeffrey Gillyon, is the Active Grand Sword Bearer of the Mark. I have proudly watched you Sir, at the head of the Grand Master and Pro Grand Master procession in to Grand Lodge over the last year. We also receive the support of your Deputy, V. Bill Fisher, soon to become Worshipful Master of the Beacon Mark Lodge and your Assistant. Sam Juddah, who has supported the Mark for many years. Support also comes from the Past Provincial Grand Master of the Craft R. Richard Anderson and Ex.Companion Peter Mawer, the Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Chapter, I do thank you all for your continued support. I would hope brethren that you will promote the Mark in the coming year with more vigour, knowing that when you come across a negative response to joining the Mark you can point to the support we receive from the Craft and Chapter Rulers. The support we receive brethren cannot just go one way, we also need to support the craft. A strong craft is the bed rock of all the orders in masonry; we need to be pro-active in finding suitable candidates to join our craft lodges. A strong and vibrant Craft is essential to all the orders in Masonry. To show tangible support to the craft and in particular the Tercentenary Celebrations that are being held this year, We, the Mark, have booked 36 places at the Tercentenary Ball to be held at Gisborough Hall on the 1 st April, in our party we also have David Roach, Intendant General of the Red Cross and V. Neil Woodward, District Grand Master of the Royal and Select Masters. I like to think that Masonry is a family, the mother is of course the craft, that is where we all come from. From there all the other orders play a vital role in the very fabric of masonry. Helping to further and Page 9 of 13

10 expand our Masonic knowledge and not forgetting the financial support, through our subscriptions, that we give to the Masonic buildings where we hold our meetings. The year has been a full one with five of our members celebrating 50 years in Mark Masonry. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.. Allan Scott presented Ike Godwin, of the Middlesbrough Lodge his certificate last June, and then I presented Geoff Maw, of the Star in the East Lodge, his certificate last October. At the beginning of this year it was like waiting for a bus, you wait for ages for one to arrive then three arrive together. Three 50 years certificates presented in one week. R.. Fred Smith, of the St. Peters Lodge, started off a very memorable week with the Assistant Grand Master, R.. John Prizeman travelling up to Yorkto present R..Fred with his certificate. The honour of having the Assistant Grand Master to present the certificate was in recognition of the high regard London have for Fred. For those that don t know Fred has been the Worshipful Master of the Grand Masters Lodge in both the Mark and Royal Ark Mariners, and is the current Master of the Grand Stewards Lodge. To further emphasis the high regard Fred is held, R. Keith Emmerson, Past Deputy Grand Master, also attended. Bro Greg Ballantyne, of the Minerva Lodge, continued the week of 50 year certificates, receiving not only a 50 year certificate from London but one from the Scottish constitution as well, I rounded off the evening by promoting Greg to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer. Greg being a true Scot went away a very happy man, two certificates for the price of one, both free, and a field promotion which means no honour fee. The 50 year certificate week came to an end at the Londesborough Lodge, where I presented Tony Ayre his 50 year certificate, what a splendid night that was. Tony has been a stalwart at the Londesborough Lodge for many yearsand along with a group of fellow stalwarts has helped to keep Mark Masonry in Bridlington. Tony I do thank you for all you have done and I know I can rely on you to continue the good work in promoting the Mark. Those brethren who have received 50 th year certificates in the last year and are present today would you please stand, as I m sure we would like to congratulate you on your services to the Mark. The year has also seen a return to winning ways on the golf course. Yes brethren, North & East Yorkshire are the proud holders of the inter Provincial Golf Trophy. Our annual Golf match with West Yorkshire is always a very keenly fought battle. We won the match on home soil, at Driffield Golf Club, superbly organised once again by our Golf Captain, V. Neil Woodward. Neil thank you for organising the event, everything went according to plan. Brethren we actually won by 6.5 to 1.5 games, only losing one game. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Paul and myself realising that the ethos behind these provincial golf matches is to promote harmony and good spirit between our two provinces, and looking at the scores on the board, decided that in the spirit of the game we should lose our match, hence not whitewashing West Yorkshire completely. Having said that, we were beaten comprehensively by about four holes. I look forward to the return match later this year. Keeping with Golf, V..Neil and I also travelled to North Wales to play the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V. David Wright and. Vic Rogerson on a beautiful sunny day in July last year, we came back victorious that day as well. The hospitality Neil and I received was first class and much appreciated. I must say though Brethren the comments about my handicap were very cruel and hurtful, but all true! We look forward to a return match here in North & East later this year. We have a couple of Golf days organised for this year, the Wardens Golf day organised by Gordon Turner and the Provincial Golf Tournament organised by V. Neil Woodward. The dates are on the website brethren, neyorksmark.com. The social committee, under the Chairmanship of Bro. Frank Harlington and the Secretary David Jennings, has provided us with a variety of entertaining evenings throughout the year and I do thank all the committee for the hard work they put in to make these nights so successful and enjoyable. Brethren please support these evenings, especially the Mark Ladies Evening this year to be held on the 24 th June at the York racecourse, I think you all have a flyer on your seat, don t leave them behind, fill then in and come along for a great night out. Use this evening to recruit new members, let them see what the Mark is all about. I must at this point pay a special tribute to David Jennings. David has decided to stand down as secretary of the social committee and from the committee itself, after many years as being Secretary. David you will leave a big hole in the committee the enormous amount of hard and diligent work you have put in to the social events of the province has been immense and I personally would like to thank you for all you have done. While talking of social events, please support the revamped New Summer Fayre to be held at the Pickering Recreation Ground on the 15 th July. The Summer Fayre committee under the chairmanship of Vic Thompson have worked extremely hard to add different attractions to this year s Fayre which will include Falconry Display and a Car Rally. Hopefully all Lodges will come on board and have a stall, please try to have an unusual stall, not just a bottle one. As always, a good contingent of us went down to London, last June, to witness some of our brethren being promoted or receiving first appointments to Grand Rank. Promotions went to Jeffery Gillyon to Grand Sword Bearer Tom Baillie to Past Grand Junior Deacon. Geoff Eastburn Maurice Hatton Joe Robinson Receiving First Appointments Page 10 of 13

11 Vic Thompson PAGDC Chris Blackman PAGSwdB Could I ask those brethren to be upstanding, I m sure brethren you would like to congratulate them on their preferment. A small group of us went down to the Devonshire MBF Festival and we also had a weekend away in the Dales. Both these weekends were a resounding success and I would like to thank Neil Webster in particular who, along with his wife Veronica, organised the Dales weekend away, Thank you Neil. Along with our yearly trip to the Mark Investiture meetingthis coming June, this year will see Fifty of us travelling down to attend the Berkshire MBF Festival weekend in July, I m sure those brethren attending will be warmly welcomed and have an enjoyable weekend. To the retiring Provincial team, thank you for the commitment you have given over the year and hopefully your continued commitment in the coming years. To the new team congratulations on your appointments, my fellow Rulers and I look forward to your company around the province and at as many of the social events as you can attend. Remember receiving a Provincial Office or being promoted to Grand Rank is not the end, it s the beginning of another chapter in your Mark masonic journey and a further commitment to the order will be expected. Please attend as many of the Provincial visits during the year as you can, one more thing I ask of you, during your year in office, Bring me a Candidate for Advancement. Apart from supporting me, my fellow Rulers and the Province, this will be the most important achievement and support you can give over the year. Do your best brethren. My thanks go to the entire executive for all the work they have done freely and at their own expense. I m sure they would also like me to thank all the Lodge Secretaries, Charity Stewards and Almoners for the work and support they also give. My thanks to Malcolm Farrow for the work he does with the Keystone Club, I m sure Malcolm will sell you a ticket if you haven t already got one. My thanks also go to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Mike Collinson, His Deputy, Ron Campbell, his Assistants, Jon Smith and Les Richings. I think brethren unless you have been a Provincial Secretary you don t realise the work that is involved in running the Province, a special thank you to the Provincial Secretary. Clive Copley, to your Deputy, Bill Glanville and Assistant Geoff Nicholson. My thanks again to my Deputy and my Assistant. All of these brethren have worked tremendously hard not just for this meeting but throughout the year, travelling many miles and putting in long hours at the computer to make today and the year go as smoothly as possible and I do thank them all. Our spiritual needs have been well looked after by Maurice Hatton, our Provincial Grand Chaplain and his Deputy and Assistant. As I have said on a number of occasions, the first question you were asked when entering a Lodge for the first time was, In whom do you put your trust, your reply In God. With this in mind please attend the Church Service held jointly with the Red Cross on Sunday 23 rd April at Welburn. You will remember the MBF donated North & East Yorkshire 25,000 to help with the flood relief after the 2015 Christmas floods hit York and the surrounding districts. The money they donate must come from somewhere, hence the MBF festivals held each year and the presentations of Charity Collarettes. This year they have asked the Provinces to send a team of six down to London on the 6 th May to do a sponsored walk round the Royal parks, 7 or 8 miles in total. The PWRL has been promoting it today. You can either go through our Provincial Charity Steward, Stephen Hawkes, or direct to the donation site. The address is mbfwalk.org.uk. I hope brethren that you as individuals and as lodges will support me and my fellow walkers, s. Paul Barham, Clive Copley, Ron Campbell, Gordon Turner and Les Richings. Looking at the fitness of the team we are also taking with us. Doctor Ling Yu with oxygen tanks and a defibrillator. Brethren, donations will go towards your MBF Collarettesand to MBF Festival accounts. Our own Festival will be held in 2033, while you are welcome to give to our own festival, there are Provinces close to our boarders who are in festival mode now, in particular West Yorkshire. All money received through our charity steward and have not had a province specified on the return will be allocated to West Yorkshire and our sister provinces in the north who are in festival. Brethren please give freely and as much as you can afford for this very worthy charity. In Closing, I would also ask you all to make regular visits to our website this will help to keep you informed of all that is going on in the province and to check on dates for meetings and social events. The visiting Matrix for next year is now up and running. Provincial Officers of the year please look at the site and recheck your visits and if possible add to them. Tom Spinks puts in a lot of work to make the website user friendly and relevant, please use it. Again the address is neyorksmark.com Page 11 of 13

12 Brethren continue to enjoy your Mark Masonry, keep spreading the word. I thank you for your support this morning and over the last year and look forward to seeing you all at Lunch and throughout the year. Yet again the Yorkshire puddings are getting cold, so I will finish by wishing you are well May the Great Overseer of the Universe Bless you all. Thank you Brethren Appointment of the Deputy and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The Provincial Grand Master re appointed Allan Cameron Scott as Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Paul Barham as Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Appointment and Investiture of Provincial Grand Officers The following Officers were invested: PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OFFICERS David William Kirkham SENIOR WARDEN Cleveland 1040 Douglas Alan Hatfield JUNIOR WARDEN Brough 1170 Les Race MASTER OVERSEER Alverton 845 Michael Joseph Roche SENIOR OVERSEER Cleveland 1040 Adrian Richard Jessop JUNIOR OVERSEER Saltburn 1532 Maurice Hatton CHAPLAIN Streonshalh 337 James valentine Johnson TREASURER Victory 1558 Thomas James Spinks REGISTRAR Fitzwilliam 227 Clive Copley SECRETARY The Beacon Centenary1583 Michael John Collinson DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES Beverlac 281 John David Jennings. ALMONER Star in the East 95 William Stephen Hawkes CHARITY STEWARD Alexandra 803 John Trevor Black INSPECTOR OF WORKS Farmers 1784 Joseph Wells SWORD BEARER Streonshalh337 Andrew Nicholas Lawton DEPUTY CHAPLAIN Cleveland 1040 William Ernest Glanville DEPUTY SECRETARY Beverlac 281 Ronald Leonard Campbell DEPUTY DC Streonshalh 337 Neil Smith SENIOR DEACON The Beacon Centenary 1583 Eric Stephen Helsdon SENIOR DEACON St Peters 1008 Kenneth Heseltine JUNIOR DEACON Redcar 804 Peter Christopher Dobson JUNIOR DEACON Saltburn 1532 Ian Leslie Sugarman ASSISTANT CHAPLAIN Lodge of St Andrews Geoffery Nicholson. ASSISTANT SECRETARY Minerva 12TI Jonathan Mark Mitchell Smith, ASST. DC Beverlac 281 Les Richings, ASST. DC Beverlac 281 Robin Edward Stannard ORGANIST Victory 1588 Philip Neville Joyner Michael John Townend STANDARD BEARER ASST STANDARD BEARER St Cuthberts 743 St Cuthberts 743 Roy Henry Padwick. INNER GUARD Sykes 1830 Daniel Herbert Betts STEWARD Minerva 12TI Brian Daragon STEWARD Lodge of St Andrew 1130 Michael Riley STEWARD Cleveland 845 John Robert Hunter STEWARD Alverton 845 Kenneth Raymond Lawn TYLER York TI FIRST APPOINTMENT PAST RANK Stanley Francis Aylott Leslie William Payling Abbott Hugh of Selby 1640 Lodge of St Andrews 1130 CEREMONIES Eric Robert Matthews Sreonshalh 337 Gordon Robert Scott Beacon Centenary 1583 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND STANDARD BEARER PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF Page 12 of 13

13 PROMOTIONS Wilfred Lynn Elliott Cleveland 104 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN Alan Jack Clark Metcalfe Humber 182 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN David Sever Topping Fitzwilliam 227 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN Kenneth Robert Eyre Thesaurus 782 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN David Hodgson Redcar 804 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN Ardesh Melemenjian St Peters 1008 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN David Colvin Cook Beacon Centenary 1583 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN Keith Wright Beacon Centenary 1583 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR WARDEN Thomas Henry Wood Alverton 845 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND JUNIOR WARDEN Terence Hairsine Minerva 12TI PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OVERSEER Terence Ward Fisher Humber 182 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OVERSEER John Wyatt Chapman Hayes Beverlac 281 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OVERSEER Ian David Goundrill Thesaurus 782 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OVERSEER Richard Knightley Smith Streonshalh 337 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR OVERSEER Frank Harlington St Cuthberts 743 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR OVERSEER Alan Smith Alexandra 803 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SENIOR OVERSEER James Iain Pigott York TI PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND JUNIOR OVERSEER Jeffrey Richard Thomas Redcar 804 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND JUNIOR OVERSEER CHARITY COLLARETTES The R.W. Provincial Grand Master presented Charity Collaret s to those who had qualified as Vice Patrons/Patrons during the past year:- Vice Patrons T. Alsop, A. Clements, C. Nattrass, F. Pickering and G. Shores Patrons R. Campbell, C. Maltby, C. Nicholson and J. Spencer Grand Patrons J. Robinson and N. Webster Gold Patrons I. Murdoch, M. Osgathorp, D. Powell and P. Fawcett THANKS/ INVITES The Assistant Provincial Grand Master gave a vote of thanks to the host lodges and all who had contributed to the organisation of the Convocation, including those who manned the desks, assisted in the car parks, lift operators and those who helped to set up the lodge room and will no doubt assist in clearing it. The Worshipful Masters of the Middlesborough Lodge No 276, Fitzwilliam Lodge No 277, Beverlac Lodge No 281and the Londesborough Lodge No 291 rose and invited the Provincial Grand Lodge to meet under their Banners on March 10th 2018, which the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was pleased to accept. There being no further business to transact the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master closed Provincial Grand Lodge in due form at 12.35pm. Signed.. Provincial Grand Master March 10 th, 2018 Page 13 of 13