The Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Conclave of Surrey was held at the Surbiton Masonic Centre on Saturday 25th May 2019. The Brethren of Surrey and their guests started arriving from 9 am where coffee and bacon sandwiches were being served in one of the dining rooms.
While most of the Brethren were relaxing upstairs the Grand Director of Ceremonies and the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies were conducting rehearsals of the processions and carousal.
The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler’s Arch of Steel was also busy rehearing their duties in the small Temple.
Before the meeting the Grand Supreme Ruler, M.Wy.Bro. Andrew Christopher Sweeney, the Installing Officer, with his team of Assisting Officers posed for a photo with the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate and the Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate.
The Provincial Grand Conclave was opened by the Presiding Officer, Right Worthy Brother Michael F Barnes, Past Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler.
The Grand Director of Ceremonies was admitted and informed the Presiding Officer that the Grand Supreme Ruler, M.Wy.Bro. Andrew Christopher Sweeney together with a number of Grand Officers was outside the door of Provincial Grand Conclave and demanded admission. The Installing Officer and his Assisting Officers entered under an Arch of Steel, was offered the Baton and took his seat in Provincial Grand Conclave. The Installing Officer appointed his Officers and was saluted with eleven under the direction of the Grand Director of Ceremonies.
After addressing the Brethren on the purpose of his visit the Installing Officer directed the Grand Recorder to call the roll of Conclaves in the Province. He then directed the Grand Director of Ceremonies to ascertain that the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate, Wy.Bro. Colin M Beerling, was in attendance. The Grand Director of Ceremonies formed an escort and the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate entered Provincial Grand Conclave in procession.
After addressing the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate on his duties the Installing Officer requested the Grand Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment following which he obligated and installed the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler was proclaimed and saluted.
The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies enquired of the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler whom he appoints as Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler announced the appointment of Wy.Bro. Paul D Fitzgerald as Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler.
The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies formed an escort and the Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate entered Provincial Grand Conclave in procession. After addressing the Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Designate the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler requested the Grand Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment following which he obligated and installed Wy.Bro. Paul D Fitzgerald as Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler. The Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler was proclaimed and saluted.
The Officers for the year were appointed and invested. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler addressed the Installing Officer thanking him and his team for making this a special day for the Provincial Grand Conclave of Surrey and offering the Grand Supreme Ruler Honorary Membership of the Province. The Installing Officer and Assisting Officers retired in procession from Provincial Grand Conclave. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler welcomed all the honoured guests including a number of Provincial Grand Supreme Rulers, their Deputies and Recorders and other brethren from neighbouring Provinces, together with a number of heads of Orders in Surrey. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then appointed and received the Commander, Bro. Martin Baker, the Deputy Commander, Bro. Martin Smith, and members of his Arch of Steel, following which he welcomed those Brethren who had been inducted since the last Annual Meeting.
During his address to Provincial Grand Conclave, the R.Wy. Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler thanked all members of the Province for their continued support and requested them to continue to seek out from their Craft Lodges suitable members for this wonderful Order.
At the conclusion of the meeting members of the Province, their visitors and guests retired to the bar where they were joined by two special guests, Richard Wileman, Inspector General of he Rose Croix District of Surrey, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Craft Province of Surrey; and Patrick Crossan, Provincial Prior of the Provincial Priory of Surrey. Pictured here are Richard Wileman with Louis Keats and Wally Maynard.
The members of the Province, their visitors and guests then sat down to a most enjoyable luncheon in the Elizabethan Suite at Surbiton Masonic Hall.
Article by Chris Eley and photos by Bob Tuthill and Chris Eley
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