On Saturday 10th November W. Bro. Charles Turner, PPGSO was installed into the Chair of the Provincial Stewards Lodge by W. Bro. Dave Carson.
The meeting was attended by the Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy, who delivered the Address to the Master on this occasion. It is a custom at this Lodge for the PGM and his Deputy to deliver the Address to the Master – next year it will be the PGM’s turn.
The Lodge was visited by members of the Cheshire Provincial Stewards Lodge.
On Saturday 20th October, our Provincial Grand Master and his wife Susan were the guests of the Priory of Wales at the Installation of the Chancellor and Bailiff of St. David’s and the Priory of Wales Visitation to North Wales. The event was held at St. Asaph Cathedral.
By kind permission of W. Bro Geoff Lyons Mound the annual Charity night was held at the Robin Hood Cabaret Club in Prestatyn on Saturday 28th September.
The event, which was attended by over 130 Brethren and partners, was organised by W. Bro. Paul Sefton, ProvGJW ably assisted by his wife Pat and Mrs. Olive Urwin.
On 24th September the Provincial Team accompanied the Provincial Grand Master to the Installation Meeting of Dyffryn Clwyd Royal Ark Mariner Lodge.
W. Bro. Graham Sherratt was Installed in an excellent manner by W. Bro. Derek Baldwin who had obviously spent a considerable time in learning the Ritual.
This was the first outing for the new Provincial Team who all seemed to enjoy the evening.
The Annual Northern PGMs weekend away was hosted by the Province of East Lancashire over the first weekend in September.
Our own PGM, R.W.Bro. Peter Talbot, was in attendance and sent in the following report:
We stayed at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa in Clayton Le Moors and trips were arranged to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, the John Rylands Library and Howarth Art Gallery in Accrington.
Nine PGMs, including for the first time R.W.Bro. Martin Blackburn, PGM for the Isle of Man, and eight Ladies attended in all. It was a wonderful weekend, with good company, good food and a little liquid refreshment.
Next year the event will be hosted by the Province of North and East Yorkshire.
Province of Worcestershire
Provincial Almoners’ and Charity Stewards’ Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1943 Worshipful Master V.W. Bro. P. G. Orton
V.W.Bro. P.G. Orton with the Coffer of Gavels
V.W. Bro. Phillip George Orton PGJO will be holding the second meeting of his Lodge on Saturday 20th October 2018 at the Masonic Hall, Llandudno commencing at 11am.
Our PGM will be in attendance along with other members of the Provincial Executive.
At this meeting the PGM of Worcestershire along with some of his Provincial Team will be attending to dedicate a Coffer of Gavels that the WM presented to the Lodge at his installation and which were expertly crafted by W.Bro. Stewart Cole PPGJW, Hunter Lodge no. 324.
There will also be a talk given by a representative of N. Wales St. John’s on the new Ambulance.
The Lodge is one of great distinction, whose members include, the Pro. Grand Master, Dep. Grand Master, Grand SO, Grand DC, Past Assist. Grand Sec. MBF Charities Manager, as well as many other very distinguished brethren, many of whom it is hoped will be present.
On Sunday 26th August W.Bro. Roger Littlewood once again arranged for a BBQ to be held at his house on Anglesey.
The weather was not as good as in recent years but that did not spoil the enjoyment of those who attended.
The event raised £870 by way of raffles, a quiz (The PGM’s team were runners up, some improvement on their past performance) and donations, this to be shared equally amongst St. Seiriol Mark, St. Eilian Mark and St. Eilian RAM Lodges.
W.Bro. Brian Sion Jones (Dixie Rebel) provided the entertainment.
In January 2016 the Mark Benevolent Fund received an application for Funding from Northumbria Blood Bikes and so started a partnership which resulted in the Mark Benevolent Fund sponsoring, so far, 16 Blood Bikes and 10 Blood Cars.
The Blood Bikes provide out of hours transportation services for local NHS in the movement of blood and human tissue, they do this free of charge thus reducing the strain on the NHS.
On the 14th of August 2018, the R.W. Provincial Grand Master hosted the annual Grand Officers Luncheon at Elwy Hall, Rhyl.
Following the luncheon, the Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren present to update them on matters relating to the Province and beyond. On this occasion he also invited the new Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to speak about the Ritual and the new Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary to speak about the new Provincial website.
The Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Team are scheduled to visit the following Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges in 2018-2019.
Date
Lodge
Location
September 24th
Dyffryn Clwyd 1647 (RAM Installation)
Mold
October 24th
St Grwst 1772 (Mark Installation)
Llanfairfechan
November 21st
Snowdonia 259 (Mark Installation)
Bangor
December 19th
Hunter 324 (RAM Elevation)
Rhyl
February 15th 2019
Elffin 321 (Mark Advancement)
Caernarfon
March 4th 2019
Flint 1509 (Mark Installation)
Flint
April 12th 2019
Yr Ysgallen 38 (RAM Elevation)
Llandudno
May 9th 2019
Hawarden 838 (RAM Installation)
Connah’s Quay
Other dates for your diary include:
Saturday 29th of September – Charity Social – Lyons-Mound, Rhyl
Saturday 6th of April 2019 – RAM Assembly – Bangor
Saturday 8th of June 2019 – Provincial Grand Lodge – Connah’s Quay