The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother David C. Purdie, was joined by 41 brethren from our Province when they travelled to the Annual Mark Master Masons Investiture meeting held at Great Queen Street in London. Those joining our PGM included the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother John P. Clendinning, the Assistant Grand Master Worshipful Brother Brett Varker, two Past Provincial Grand Masters namely Right Worshipful Brothers Peter Hawkin and Peter Balsom and Very Worshipful Brothers William S. Humphries and David Lee, both Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters.

The meeting was opened in ample form with the processions of the Very Important Guests, followed by the entry of the Grand Master, the Most Worshipful Brother His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, K.C.V.O., and was received with rapturous applause from a packed Grand Lodge

The normal business of the meeting was undertaken, and then the main business of the day took place, namely to appoint and invest the Brethren recieving both Active Grand Ranks and the First Appointments to Grand Rank. To receive the honours and be invested by the Grand Master is always a highlight of any brothers journey in this degree, and one that will be remembered.

Congratulations from the Province go to:

Promotion – Active Rank

Grand Master Overseer                                           William Humphries                 

Grand Senior Deacon                                              Paul Howard-Baker                       

First Appointment – Active Rank

Grand Steward                                                         Dennis Challis.                         

First Appointment – Past Rank

Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies    Wilf Rickard                              

Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies    Graham Rowland                    

Past Assistant Grand Sword Bearer                     Charlie Cobham                      

Past Grand Standard Bearer                                   Andy Oxenham                 

Following the meeting, the brethren retired from the temple and the usual group photograph was taken. Our thanks go to one of our neighbours, Worshipful Brother Ian Strickland, the Provincial Grand Secretary from Somerset, for undertaking this important task      

Prior to the festive board, the brethren made their way downstairs into the Great Queen Street bar and enjoyed the customary banter that goes with Mark Masonry

  

The brethren then made their way into the Grand Connaught Rooms where a lovely festive board was held.

  

  

  

During the speeches, our very own Worshipful Brother John Betts, one of the outgoing Grand Stewards, was honoured to give the response to the Grand Master's toast on behalf of the Grand Stewards.

Link to John's Speech https://youtu.be/nv9N6evaN6E

It was also lovely for the brethren of Devonshire to catch up with our neighbours from Cornwall, with the PGM's and DPGM's getting together again for the laughter and fun that make this order what it is.

  

After filling themselves with food and wine, the brethren then made their way back to London Paddington, to enjoy the hospitality of GWR.

It was also noticed that some of the brethren were posing as if auditioning for a film whilst in London? 

  

Meanwhile a brother was practising his ritual for real on the journey home, with the sudden explanation of " Its been found ". Thank you to Worshipful Brother Colin Day who was the carer for the said individual on the day.