Brethren, as always, it is a delight to see you all here today, to be able to welcome our guests and to thank them for taking the time to be with us. I particularly welcome Ruling Masters and Master Masons who may be attending for the first time.
To those receiving Honours, whether it be a first appointment or promotion, the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge is the main occasion when I can recognise your contribution to the Province. This is your day of recognition and celebration. You should enjoy it unreservedly. It is my privilege to be able to invest you with your new ranks, to acknowledge the contribution you have and will continue to make in the Craft, and to share your company. Wear your new Honours with justifiable pride.
This year has been significant for Freemasonry. You will all be aware of the Strategic Roadmap launched by the ProGM last December. We have also highlighted the ever present Membership Challenge which each and every member and Lodge needs to address to ensure that Freemasonry and the Province thrives through steady and sustainable growth. Before Christmas, each Lodge will receive a bespoke short video, prior to a visit by a member of the Executive to discuss face-to-face how best it can address what it needs to do thrive. Whilst initiations are a priority, this is not solely focussed on attracting new members but is equally dependent upon ensuring that our existing members do not drift away as a result of feeling detached from the life of the Lodge. It is essential that, through engagement and involvement, everybody feels they are listened to, has a voice and a part to play.
Earlier this year, we conducted a ‘belonging survey’ to ensure that the Province really understands the issues affecting our members. Most felt that Berkshire Freemasonry was important in their lives because they enjoy it, feel valued, supported and recognised for what they bring and the contribution they make. Friendship and camaraderie are by far the most crucial elements in making our members feel most involved as Freemasons. We all have a vital part to play in this. It was pleasing that many brethren feel that things are changing for the good in Berkshire Freemasonry but that the pace needs to be even quicker to ensure that Freemasonry remains relevant to today’s society.
The Province will continue to listen and to work hard to address all these issues. It particularly notes the need to further involve younger members and those who have recently joined to help shape our future so that all voices are heard and listened to. Visiting other lodges is seen as a valuable and enjoyable part of Freemasonry and this can be increased if new masons are invited and encouraged to visit other lodges.
Every one of us has a critical role to play in shaping our future. Individual engagement remains the key. Lodges need to remember that they do not exist in isolation but are part of one aligned coherent organisation with common values & purpose. Thus, Lodges need to focus on the needs of their members and embrace the Members Pathway to its fullest extent.
Whilst on this subject, there is a drive to ensure a coherence between all aspects of Freemasonry. Within this Province, the most visible aspect has been bringing the Craft and Royal Arch together under one Ruler. It is not unusual and is a recognition of the importance of ensuring that Craft and Royal Arch Masonry move forward together. We are One Organisation following one masonic journey and I am determined that we move forward together in harmony and take full advantage of the strengths and uniqueness of these two elements of pure antient Freemasonry. I am firmly of the view that there should be a seamless progression from the Craft to the Royal Arch at a time that is appropriate for every member; sooner rather than later! I also value the strength of our relationship with other Orders and the benefit that emanates from our regular monthly meetings when, in full partnership, we work together to enhance the quality of Freemasonry in Berkshire.
In our quest for progress, we must be prepared to take calculated risks, embrace innovation, whilst recognising that not every endeavour will yield immediate success and be open to exploration, experimentation and learning from both successes and failures. Thus, we will refine and improve our initiatives, forging a path of sustainable growth.
Apathy and inaction, if left unaddressed will stifle our progress, so we must foster a positive mindset and an unflinching commitment to success. The ‘not invented here’ syndrome has no place in Berkshire Freemasonry. We must shatter the shackles of complacency and embrace novel approaches, free from the constraints of unquestioning custom and practice. We must all take personal responsibility actively seeking solutions and embracing the opportunities for growth. Each of us has a role to play in engaging and inspiring our fellow brethren. We must demonstrate firm dedication and a genuine desire to uplift one another. By igniting passion, we will create a thriving community that embodies the true spirit of Berkshire Freemasonry.
Each year, the tenure of some key members must end and a new journey start for others. Most notably this year is the retirement of VW Bro Peter Sands whose contribution has been quite extraordinary and under whose leadership the Province achieved an exceptional result to my festival appeal. He has not escaped completely and I am grateful to him for continuing to fulfil the role of Chairman of Sindlesham Court Trading Limited which is so vital to the well-being of this Province. In his stead, I welcome W Bro Mark Heppelthwaite whom I know will build on the solid foundation that has been set down and will continue to move the Province forward. If he is able to deliver half of what he has achieved in his former role as Managing Director of Sindlesham, then we will be well cared for.
I also welcome W Bro Gerry Preston, another tried and tested mason with unquestionable Provincial loyalty, to his new role as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master with particular responsibility for Community Engagement. He will be ably assisted by our new Provincial Grand Charity Steward W Bro Mickey Labana and I welcome him also to his new role.
It would be remiss of me not to thank W Bro Nick McGregor and all involved in the running of the Berkshire Masonic Charity for the work that they have been doing and to all those Lodges which continue to support our charitable endeavours.
This year, we see the retirement of our Provincial Grand Registrar W Bro Philip Tranter after 11 years of unbroken service in this role. Most will not appreciate the importance and reliance I place upon the incumbent to give me sound counsel to ensure that I do not stray into areas of legal difficulty. I am pleased to welcome as his successor W Bro Stephen Woolf and I am looking forward to the valuable contributions that he will make as we move forward together.
You cannot have failed to notice that, after five years, W Bro Jim Sampins has retired as our Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies upon his preferment as my Deputy Grand Superintendent. His attention to detail and the manner in which he has supported me and discharged his ceremonial duties throughout the Province has been exceptional and I look forward to his continued support and companionship in the Royal Arch. I am pleased to welcome W Bro Paul Thomsett to replace him and I have every confidence that he will stamp his own authority upon the role and achieve the same level of success as his predecessors.
Winging its way to you in the post and available to some today is this year’s Annual Report. Given recent developments, it will come as no surprise that it is the first that we have harmonised to reflect the One Organisation on One Journey approach. It reflects not only the future direction of the Province but also celebrates the significant achievements that we have secured during the year. It is compelling reading and the content is a credit to you all and a reflection of the special nature of The Special Province.
With all that has happened this year, drawing the strands together has been a Herculean task and I remain indebted and grateful to W Bros Pat Whelan and Tracey Byrne for all their hard work in pulling the report together so professionally.
In closing, I thank W Bros Richard Olliver, Jim Sampins and their teams for ensuring the success of today’s Annual Meeting. A huge amount of work has gone into making the preparations. It has been somewhile since we had a sell-out event and shows that we are once again on an upward trajectory.
I continue to value my strong and skilled Leadership Team. I am truly blessed with their exceptional talent and dedication. I thank them each personally for their continued loyalty and support to me as Provincial Grand Master and for the enthusiasm, commitment and contribution that they continue to make to this Province on your behalf.
As we address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, it is heartening to know that I can rely on the support and commitment of each and every member to ensure that this Special Province of Berkshire thrives. It will always be my privilege to be the Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire and I will continue to strive to ensure its success as one coherent vibrant and relevant organisation for future generations to enjoy as much as we do.
May the Great Architect of the Universe remain with you and your families in the year ahead and may brotherly love and affection ever distinguish us as men and as masons.
God Save The King.
