Our Provincial Grand Lodge meeting took place a week later this year, on Tuesday 1st July, but the Provincial Grand Secretary managed to couple this with the hottest day of the year! Attendance was up again, with around 250 East Anglian Mark Masons and guests from other Provinces, rulers of local Craft and Companion Orders, plus our own past Executive converging on Venue 16, Ipswich, Suffolk. Special mention must go to the neighbouring Province of Essex, who brought a delegation of 23 visitors.
An important moment in the proceedings was to see the Royal Ark Mariners Installed Commanders parade into the meeting, who were likewise warmly welcomed.
The event was conducted under the direction of Provincial DC W.Bro. Mark Cook and his team, with the precision and style we have come to expect. Not forgetting the Provincial Stewards, Secretariat and others who spend many hours planning the day, the first to arrive and the last to leave.
The busy agenda included the re-appointments of Deputy PGM V.W.Bro. Gary Allen and Assistant PGM W.Bro. David Good, plus the investiture of our new Treasurer Bro. Richard Dedman and new Almoner W.Bro. Roger Florey. The Provincial Wardens are W.Bro. Ray Russell from Breckland Mark in Thetford and W.Bro. Nigel Hood from Barnard Mark over in Wymondham. As well as the other Provincial Officers being appointed and promoted, Bro. Martin Gude, W.Bro. Dudley Holland, W.Bro. Don Lea, W.Bro. Maxwell Page, W.Bro. Bob Riches and W.Bro. Eric Shaw received the Provincial Grand Master’s Order of Merit for their many years of dedicated service and commitment.
PGM David Boswell was very pleased to accept £1.800 from Provincial Charity Steward W.Bro. Nick Berry, which is the further profits raised from the Bonus Ball Game, which will go to our own charity the East Anglian Mark Benevolent Association. The PGM also presented £1,500 to R.W.Bro. George Deacon, PGM of Hampshire & Isle of Wight for their Mark Benevolent Fund Festival. There was also a presentation to Bro. Richard Butler, PGM of the Craft Province of Norfolk, of £2,000 for their Festival supporting the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
Following the formalities, there was time for much needed refreshment and enjoy the company of friends. With the lodge room transformed into the dining room, the order was given that jackets could be removed, much to the relief of everybody. The day concluded with an excellent meal, served efficiently by the venue staff, allowing everyone to be on their way home in good time, in the comfort of an air conditioned car.
