Last Thursday on 19th October 2023 the PGM, R. W. Bro. Raymond Walton, along with the DPGM, V. W. Bro. Richard Northey, and the APGM, W. Bro. Paul Hilditch, braved Storm Babet to make the journey south to attend the Annual Provincial Meeting of the Mark Province of Staffordshire & Shropshire which has held at the Stafford County Showground.

A warm welcome was received from their PGM R. W. Bro Kevin Spencer and the members of the Province. There then followed a very enjoyable Provincial Meeting during which W. Bro. Dennis John Hill P.G.J.D. was re-appointed as DPGM and W. Bro. Harjinder Singh Sagoo P.A.G.D.C. was re-appointed as APGM. The PGM then went on to appoint the rest of his officers for the ensuing year.

The Province was also honoured by the presence of the Assistant Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Prof. Denovan Keith Wilson, who has been a frequent visitor to the Province over the years. During his address to the brethren, the Assistant Grand Master made reference to three main topics.

First was the ‘The Grand Masters Keystone Fund’. At the Quarterly Communication in June 2023, the name and purpose of the ‘150th Anniversary Keystone Fund’ was changed to ‘The Grand Masters Keystone Fund’ to celebrate our Grand Master, M. W. Bro. H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent, G.C.V.O. having given forty years of service to Mark Masonry. The purpose for the new fund is to grant awards to individuals to offer encouragement and financial support with their educational, vocational, and sporting achievements. The fund being administered by the Mark Benevolent Fund Board of Trustees.

He then went on to talk about two recent grants given by the MBF. The first was a grant of £100,000 given to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust to help fund a new 4th generation da Vinci surgical robot. This advanced form of keyhole surgery offers many benefits to patients including a minimally invasive form of surgery, quicker discharge from hospital and return home, speedier recovery. and reduction in post-surgical complications, to mention but a few.

The second grant was of £25,000 to ShelterBox, a charity set up to ensure that no one is without shelter after disaster. The grant was to help provide for those who lost their homes in the recent earthquake in Morocco.

He ended by letting us know about the appointment of a new Communications Officer at Mark Masons Hall and the impact this would have on us.

After the meeting had closed there then followed a very enjoyable festive board with good food and good company.

Another very enjoyable day of Mark Masonry!