Secretaries Dinner 2022

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Published: Friday, 29 July 2022 18:35

On 28 July, secretaries and representatives from the majority of the AMD Councils got together over dinner with Colin Woodcock, District Grand Prefect, to review the health of the District and to look at ways we can improve the running of the District for the benefit of the members. 

Such was the level of discussion and the amount of minute-taking that your correspondent completely forgot to take a photograph of everyone who attended. Instead, this picture of a handful of secretaries who retired to the In & Out Club after the working dinner will have to suffice! 

All the secretaries picked up a variety of actions - plus a challenge from Colin: to grow the District from 253 members to 300 members in the next 2 years. A challenge in which every member can play their part!

Britannic Council of Madeira - Platinum Jubilee Celebration

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Published: Sunday, 10 July 2022 12:55

Thursday 20th June, saw Britannic Council of Madeira meet at Mark Masons' Hall for their train strike delayed meeting. The meeting made acknowledgement of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee and a splendid Jubilee festive board was held afterwards.

It was very quiet at Mark Masons' Hall that evening and this enabled the council the unique opportunity to conduct the ceremony of the Red Cross of Babylon across 3 separate rooms. This added to the occasion and brought a real sense of travel to the degree.

The Royal Arch Council was conducted in fine style by the Worship Master, W. Bro. Richard Criddle ably assisted by his officers. W. Bro. Boon Tan then took over principle duties to conduct the Persian Court in fine style with the degree ending with the lecture presented impeccably, as always by W. Bro. Scott Cargill.  Six brethren took the degree, and I think that they will realise in future years what a unique experience they had in taking this particular degree in their AMD careers.

Special mention must go to W. Bro. Boon Tan as Director of Ceremonies for pulling the ceremony together.

The Platinum Jubilee Festive Board followed and as as you will see from the photos it was a most jovial occasion on a par with the best of the street parties held across the nation this jubilee year.

Photos from the evening can be viewed here.

Guild of Freemen Council 145 welcomes District Grand Senior Warden

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Published: Sunday, 29 May 2022 13:33

On Friday 27th May, members of the Guild of Freemen 145 met at Mark Masons' Hall. They welcomed the District Grand Senior Warden W. Bro. Peter Warner PGStB who was accompanied by a delegation of District Grand officers.

Eulogies were made for M.W. Bro. Timothy Lewis and W. Bro. Robin Whittam.

The Council conducted the St. Lawrence the Martyr Degree in fine manner to welcome into the order Bro. John Palmer

The Degree of Grand High Priest was conducted to Anoint, Consecrate and Set apart into the order Bro. John Palmer along with 2 other brethren.

The brethren then retired to partake in a splendid festive board. Toasts and fire followed before all bid farewell until their next merry meeting.

Some photos of the festive board can be viewed here. 

DGP Presents a 70 year certificate

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Published: Thursday, 14 April 2022 11:40

On 4th April our District Grand Prefect R. W. Bro Colin Woodcock MBE attended Broad Forde Lodge in Wiltshire at the request of and as a guest of Alex Purves to present him with his 70 years in Masonry certificate (Scottish Constitution).  Colin says that the Lodge worked a very good (and unusual) ceremony of Raising -  Alex is a leading light in the Lodges LoI and it showed!!

The Lodge was closed and Alex's family were invited in and Colin presented the certificate - tears of emotion all round!!  As we know well - Alex is a much loved and regarded brother. Also Alex is going to be 90 years old on Wednesday 25th May - amazing.

To read Colin's presentation speech click here.