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The balance of £195.00 from the Raffle was donated to the Brotherly Love Fund. The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro David Ivor Williams, addressed the Provincial Grand Officers' Mess. There were various items of interest which the PGM was pleased to inform the brethren as follows:- 1. The mess had a 66% turnout to the Provincial Grand Officers' Mess from the membership of the Province, and he hoped that the Brethren would go back and inform their Lodges of the success of the meetings, which only meet twice a year, and put across to other Provincial Grand Officers' who are not members to consider joining the Mess. Anyone who is not a member can complete an application form by going to the web page of Provincial Grand Officers' Mess. 2. The
PGM thanked those Masters, Past Masters and Commanders of the Province of
London Lodges who attended the Provincial Meeting held at Great Queen
Street on Thursday 8th July 2004. He hoped that they enjoyed the
participation of parading into the Temple.
3. The 500 club needs more members. It only costs £12.00 per annum, and ideally if there were more members, it is hoped to have two draws annually. Please go to the web page for more information to join - 500 Club 4. Unfortunately two editions of the Mark Newsletter have been missed. There is a new editor, W Bro Frank Powell. Please let him have any information and articles that can be included in the next Newsletter, which hopefully will be available in February 2005. The PGM also asked the Brethren if they preferred the new A4 style Newsletter, or the old A5 brochure style, and under a democratic vote, the Brethren voted that the new style of A4 was the most popular. 5. The
PGM would be pleased to have feedback on the new venue for the Provincial
Grand Officers' Mess, being held for the first time this year at the
Imperial Hotel. Would you be happy to have the same venue next
year ? and the other held at Mark Masons Hall ? Your views and
your feedback would be appreciated. (Click here to send an email
Finally the PGM mentioned the possibility of a Silver Napkin holder with the Provincial Logo. The Province of Middlesex have successfully produced a Silver Napkin holder, and hopefully there will be a prototype available for the Province of London shortly. This will be an ideal way of raising funds for the Benevolent Fund, and a good way of keeping your tie and shirt form getting soiled from food that slips from your fork......... On the Agenda, was an item for Questions to be put to the Provincial Grand Master, if any of the Brethren had a query, complaint or even ideas, the PGM was pleased to answer them all. The following are a few questions that were put to the PGM:- A question was raised on the Silver Pin award. The PGM informed the Brethren, that this award is only available to current Masters for a perfect Advancement ceremony, although difficult to achieve, it would serve as a good measure of producing a first class ceremony for a new candidate into the Mark Degree. The PGM suggested to try and avoid Advancing two candidates at the same meeting, as this would be deemed unfair. There have been two attempts for the Silver Pin award, and unfortunately, failed in their endeavours. but nonetheless both Masters conducted a first class ceremony of Advancement. The award is only available for current Masters, but possibly in the future may be extended to Past Masters, not only for the Advancement ceremony, but for the "Lecture on the Tracing Board" and the "Lecture on the Degree of Mark Master Mason". Another question was raised about the Provincial Grand Officers Mess, as there is no mention of the Royal Ark Mariner, and do we owe it to members of the Royal Ark Mariners to become members of the Provincial Grand Officers Mess? the answer is Yes!! Lodges in difficulties. Normally a call for help would resurrect a failing Lodge if the PGM and the DPGM are informed of such dire circumstances of a Lodge within the Province. It is understood that there are approximately 10 Lodges out of 94 who may be experiencing difficulties with membership. There is never an easy way to find ways of helping these Lodges, and we cannot all be joining members. Finally the PGM advised the Brethren that an exercise for a register of Email addresses for every member in the Province of London, and would appreciate their assistance in completing this project. The PGM concluded and thanked all the members and visitors to the Provincial Grand Officers' Mess. More pictures of the Provincial Grand Officers' Mess W Bro Allan de Luca - Eclectic Lodge 410 |
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The PGM was very keen
to dispel rumours that are circulating about free dining for the Executive
Committee at Connaught Rooms after the annual Provincial meeting.
This is not true, the Executive do pay for their meals. The
only exception is with guests, the rest of the Executive Committee pay
their own way. The PGM informed the Brethren that the cost of dining
at the Connaught Rooms is good value for money.