Congratulations to all those who received an appointment or promotion at last night’s Annual Meeting. The meeting opened and closed to the tune of “Sussex by the Sea” and 219 attendees witnessed a slick operation which lasted an hour and covered all the formalities required of an annual meeting.
R.W. Bro. John Prizeman, Deputy Grand Master, recalled his memories of attending the Province in recent years and highlighted that the Pro Grand Master anticipated attending the Province on Saturday27th November; a date for your diaries and details will soon follow.
R.W. Bro. Ryan Williams, Grand Secretary, stated that the road map to re-opening meetings, in line with government guidelines, would be issued shortly.
In his address, R.W. Bro. Roger Richardson, Provincial Grand Master, paid tribute to the fortitude of all Sussex Mark Masons during these difficult times but expressed optimism for the future.
R.W. Bro Roger F Richardson Provincial Grand Master’s Address
to the Sussex Mark Virtual Provincial Meeting on Tuesday 13th April
“Brethren, what a year. Last year the stage was set at the Hilton, Metropole Brighton for my installation as your Provincial Grand Master followed by a celebratory banquet, then along came lockdown number 1. None of us could have foreseen how that was to restrict our meetings and have such an impact on our lives generally.
Fortunately, the rollout of the covid vaccines has given us optimism for the resumption of meaningful meetings
Hopefully in the not-too-distant future and to have the Opportunity to greet each other personally, have a drink and a Laugh before dinner and to welcome new friends into our order.
A year ago, I doubt whether many of us had even heard of zoom, now it is an everyday part of our routines and I guess it is here to stay. We owe our thanks to mark masons hall for granting Permission to hold virtual business meetings at lodge level. These have enabled us to maintain the continuity of lodge business and to plan to hit the ground running when the time comes.
In keeping with our traditions, I would now like to welcome our many distinguished guests.
To my fellow Provincial Grand Masters and supporting brethren from other Provinces and Districts permit me on this occasion, to offer you a blanket welcome. Thank you for making the long journey from your kitchen, dining room or living room. Your support is much appreciated, particularly those of you from around the World in different time zones.
I am now delighted to offer a Sussex welcome to R.W. Bro. John Herbert Prizeman, Deputy Grand Master. Thank you for giving up your evening to support us and we are delighted that you have expressed a wish to address our meeting shortly you are accompanied by R.W. Bro. Ryan Williams Grand Secretary and R.W. Bro. Frank Spencer Grand Director of Ceremonies.
We are most grateful for your communications and guidance. Although largely working from home, you and your teams have provided us with business as usual throughout this pandemic.
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R.W. Bro Graham Leslie Flight, Grand Sovereign of the Masonic & Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine |
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R.W. Bro. Kessick John Jones, Grand Master of the Order of Royal and Select Masters |
| Now from our past executive and heads of orders in Sussex:- |
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R.W. Bro. David Bollingbroke McLean, Past Provincial Grand Master |
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R.W. Bro. C Martin Wilson, Past Provincial Grand Master |
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R.W. Bro. Nigel Hewlit Potter, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master |
| Representing the Craft and Royal Arch Chapter:- |
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V.W. Bro. Christopher Lintern Moore, Provincial Grand Master and Most Excellent Grand Superintendent |
| From the Provincial Priory of Knight Templar:- |
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W. Bro. Toby Pratt, Provincial Prior, who is also the Deputy Grand Master Mason for this region of the Worshipful Society of Operative Masons |
| From the Ancient and Accepted Rite:- |
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Bro. Duncan R B Brown, Inspector General 33rd Degree |
| From the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine:- |
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W. Bro. Paul Norman Rose, The Intendant General |
| From the Order of Royal and Select Masters:- |
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W. Bro. Bernard Frank Marchant, District Grand Master |
| From the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees:- |
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W. Bro. Eugene Roderick Earland, District Grand Prefect |
| From the Order of the Secret Monitor:- |
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V.W. Bro. Andreis van der Burgh, Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler |
| From the Order of the Scarlet Cord:- |
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W. Bro. Michael Peter Conn, Provincial Grand Summus |
| From the Knight Templar Priests and Order of Holy Wisdom:- |
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W. Bro. Gordon Leaman, Grand Superintendent & High Prelate |
| And finally, from the Royal Order of Scotland:- |
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W. Bro. Charles Stoddart, Provincial Grand Master |
A huge Sussex Mark welcome to you all. Your support is appreciated.
I now formally congratulate all those brethren who have just received provincial honours and promotions. Your appointments are effective from today. Although, it is unfortunate that I have been unable to physically invest and greet you this evening arrangements are in place to put that right later in the year.
| Now for some more good news:- |
| The M.W. Grand Master has been pleased make the following appointments in Grand Lodge. |
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Reappointed as Grand Steward – Raymond David Hackett |
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Promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer – Christopher John Farrow |
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Also promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer via London – Glyn Raymond Goddard |
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Promoted to Past Grand Junior Deacon – Stephen John Earl |
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As Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies – Michael Watkins Fahey |
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As Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer – Charles Doe |
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And as Past Grand Standard Bearer – Norman Grant |
Our hearty congratulations to each of you. Your appointments are truly well deserved. All being well we will be able to witness your investiture in London at the quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge in September.
I could not complete this address without thanking my Executive and key brethren for their support. This year for the first time, I have invited my Provincial Wardens to join our weekly executive video conferences. I thank them for their contributions, which have proved useful and productive. My thanks to W. Bro. Simon Larard, Provincial Grand Secretary who has had an unusual first year in office to say the least. My thanks also to W. Bro. Adrian Verco the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team who are leading the Virtual Lodge of Instruction programme, it being well supported and proving to be a great success in preparation for the resumption of our Ceremonial. My grateful thanks go to R.W. Bro. Tom Quinn, Preceptor of the Grand Masters Lodge of Instruction for his help and guidance enabling us to launch this initiative in Sussex. I cannot thank enough every member of my Communications Team, who have all laboured long and hard on completely re-building and developing the Provincial Website and keeping it up to date. Make sure you check out Sussexmark.org.uk, you will not be disappointed, I assure you.
Now for some dates for your diary.
The Provincial Assembly of Royal Ark Mariner will not now take place in May. Appointments to Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank will be effective from May 27th, I will look forward to investing you with your collarette at a special assembly on 31st August. When we will twin with the regular meeting of East Sussex Royal Ark Mariner Lodge in St. Leonards on Sea, we will also be elevating a new Royal Ark Mariner, so an occasion not to miss, fingers crossed.
The revised date for the Mark Inter-Provincial Cricket match is Sunday 18th July. This year it is the turn of Middlesex to host and compete against the teams from Surrey, Kent and Sussex. Full details are expected shortly and all proceeds will go to the 2022 MBF Festival to be hosted by the Province of Surrey.
Finally, brethren – my thanks of course to you, the members of our wonderful province. Your support, friendship and loyalty towards my passion and vision for the future is magnificent and I feel extremely privileged to be your Provincial Grand Master.
In conclusion brethren, my usual plea, please support your Craft lodge. Endeavour to Introduce gentlemen into the craft so that we may in due time Advance them into the Magic of the Mark.
I wish each and every one of you continued good health and happiness well into the future.
Mark Well Brethren and may the Great Overseer of the Universe have you in his holy keeping now and always.”
