The Grand Council of the Order of
Royal and Select Masters
of England and Wales and its Districts and Councils Overseas
District of Surrey
Royal and Select Masters
of England and Wales and its Districts and Councils Overseas
District of Surrey
District Grand Council of Surrey Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Surrey took place on Saturday 23rd of March at the Croydon and District Masonic Hall, Croydon, Surrey. District Grand Council was honoured by the presence of the Grand Master. M.Ill.Comp. Kessick John Jones.
From 9.30 am the Companions of the District of the Province and their guests started arriving for coffee and bacon butties.
While the Director of Ceremonies and the District Recorder were busy ensuring the Temple was set up ready for the meeting.
Assisted by the ever-willing Tooting Boys, who are always ready to help out during the day.
It was good to see so many Companions from other Districts who came along to support the District of Surrey…
…and of course, our Grand Master.
There were also many heads of other Orders in Surrey attending to support R.Ill.Comp. David Blackburn, our District Grand Master.
By 10.45 am everyone was seated in the Temple. Just after 10.50 am the Brethren were called to order to receive the distinguished guests, including Right Worshipful Brethren and past members of the District Executive.
The meeting was called to order by Ill.Comp, Stephen Hall, P.G.Capt.Gd., the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, to receive the District Grand Master, R.Ill.Comp. David Blackburn.
At 11.00 am District Grand Council was opened in due form by the District Grand Master, who was saluted with seven under the direction of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies.
District Grand Council received the Grand Master, M.Ill.Comp. Kessick J Jones, escorted by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, V.Ill.Comp. Graham Seaman. The Grand Master was welcomed to the District of Surrey by the District Grand Master and saluted with eleven under the direction of the Grand Director of Ceremonies.
After the regular business of District Grand Council had been concluded the District Grand Master announced the appointment of Ill.Comp. David Thompson. P.G.Cond.C., as Deputy District Grand Master.
The District Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Companions retired in procession, re-entered the Council and introduced the Deputy District Grand Master Designate.
The District Grand Master called upon the District Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment and then addressed the Deputy District Grand Master Designate on the Nature of his duties and the qualifications for the office.
After the District Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer the Deputy District Grand Master Designate took his Obligation and was invested and installed in the Chair by the District Grand Master. Ill.Comp. David Thompson was then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The District Grand Master announced the appointment of Ill.Comp. Simon McCarthy, P.G.Swd.B., as District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work.
The District Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Companions retired in procession, re-entered the Council and introduced the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Designate.
The District Grand Master called upon the District Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment and then addressed the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Designate on the Nature of his duties and the qualifications for the office.
After the District Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Designate took his Obligation and was invested and installed in the Chair by the District Grand Master. Ill.Comp. Simon McCarthy was then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the Deputy District Grand Director of Ceremonies. A total of 25 appointments and promotions in District Grand Rank were announced.
The District Grand Master invited the Grand Master to address District Grand Council. The Grand Master said that he was delighted to be in Surrey once again, a beautiful, wooded County with nine Councils. He described the many things that Croydon was famous for over the years and said that it was good to see so many Districts represented today.
He reminded everyone that the meeting of Grand Council on the 18th of April will be a short business meeting at Mark Masons Hall and they are working hard on the 150th Anniversary Meeting which will take place at Freemasons Hall on the 30th of October. The Grand Master congratulated those who would be receiving appointment or promotion in Grand Rank on the 18th of April, as well as those who received District Grand Rank today.
He thanked all the Surrey Companions who have looked after their Companions during Covid and encouraged everyone to continue to look at Brethren and Companions who can come into our Order. The Grand Master invited R.Ill.Comp. Arnold Long, Past District Grand Master, newly appointed Custodian of the Ninth Arch to retire with him in procession.
In his Address to District Grand Council. R.Ill.Comp. David Blackburn said how wonderful it was to see so many Cryptic Masons at Croydon. He thanked everyone, Surrey members and visitors alike. Companions of Pride of Surrey Council had turned out in force to support our District Grand Master…
….as had many members of the Mark Provincial Executive, present and past.
He congratulated the District Grand Officers, appointed or re-appointed, and hoped that they enjoy their office, and he encouraged them to come along on any of the visits with the District Team. He said that the mainstay of our operations are the District Recorder and his Assistant, and our District Director of Ceremonies. and he gave grateful thanks for their help and support.
He asked us to note that he had included some of our newer members in the ceremonial and thanked them for their participation. He highlighted the 150th anniversary, something we are all looking forward to, which he hopes everyone will want to support. He said that the District has already answered the call by sending a £150 contribution towards a new Ark of the Covenant for Grand Council where the names of contributing Districts will be displayed on its pedestal.
Congratulations were also given to recipients of Grand Rank and those promoted at Grand Council next month. While the new rank is applicable then, they will be formally invested at the 150th celebration meeting. Most notable of which is his predecessor R.Ill.Comp Arnold Long, appointed Custodian of the Ninth Arch. Promotions are to Ill.Comp. John Bryant to Past Grand Lecturer; Ill.Comp. Simon McCarthy to Past Grand Conductor of the Council; 1st appointments to Ill.Comp. Bill Caughie as Grand Sword Bearer, and Ill.Comp. Hugh Everitt as Past Grand Standard Bearer.
R.Ill.Comp. David ended by saying that he can speak at length, but in view of the busy agenda we will be relieved to know that these words will be his last. He knows that we enjoy our Cryptic Masonry, but it is very important that we encourage others to join in that enjoyment, so he asked us please do our best to introduce others to the joys of Cryptic Masonry. He thanked everyone for supporting the meeting in such good numbers and asked that the Supreme Master of the Universe bless and aid us all.
The meeting was then called to order and closed in due form. The District Grand Master, the Deputy District Grand Master, the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, together with members of the Past Executive, honoured guests and District Officers then left the Temple in procession.
The members of the District Executive greeted all our Honoured Guests as they retired from District Grand Council.
After refreshments in the bar where we had time to catch up with old friends…
We were called into lunch…
There was a most convivial atmosphere in the dining room.
Especially at the Recorders’ table…
In proposing the toast to the Grand Master our District Grand Master presented him with a small token of our appreciation.
In thanking R.Ill.Comp David for his kind gesture the Grand Master said that has been a delight to visit Surrey again and wished everyone well.
After lunch we all made our way home – wishing the new Surrey team all the beat for the future.
Article and photos by Chris Eley
< Back to news index
The Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Surrey took place on Saturday 23rd of March at the Croydon and District Masonic Hall, Croydon, Surrey. District Grand Council was honoured by the presence of the Grand Master. M.Ill.Comp. Kessick John Jones.
From 9.30 am the Companions of the District of the Province and their guests started arriving for coffee and bacon butties.
While the Director of Ceremonies and the District Recorder were busy ensuring the Temple was set up ready for the meeting.
Assisted by the ever-willing Tooting Boys, who are always ready to help out during the day.
It was good to see so many Companions from other Districts who came along to support the District of Surrey…
…and of course, our Grand Master.
There were also many heads of other Orders in Surrey attending to support R.Ill.Comp. David Blackburn, our District Grand Master.
By 10.45 am everyone was seated in the Temple. Just after 10.50 am the Brethren were called to order to receive the distinguished guests, including Right Worshipful Brethren and past members of the District Executive.
The meeting was called to order by Ill.Comp, Stephen Hall, P.G.Capt.Gd., the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, to receive the District Grand Master, R.Ill.Comp. David Blackburn.
At 11.00 am District Grand Council was opened in due form by the District Grand Master, who was saluted with seven under the direction of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies.
District Grand Council received the Grand Master, M.Ill.Comp. Kessick J Jones, escorted by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, V.Ill.Comp. Graham Seaman. The Grand Master was welcomed to the District of Surrey by the District Grand Master and saluted with eleven under the direction of the Grand Director of Ceremonies.
After the regular business of District Grand Council had been concluded the District Grand Master announced the appointment of Ill.Comp. David Thompson. P.G.Cond.C., as Deputy District Grand Master.
The District Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Companions retired in procession, re-entered the Council and introduced the Deputy District Grand Master Designate.
The District Grand Master called upon the District Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment and then addressed the Deputy District Grand Master Designate on the Nature of his duties and the qualifications for the office.After the District Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer the Deputy District Grand Master Designate took his Obligation and was invested and installed in the Chair by the District Grand Master. Ill.Comp. David Thompson was then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The District Grand Master announced the appointment of Ill.Comp. Simon McCarthy, P.G.Swd.B., as District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work.
The District Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Companions retired in procession, re-entered the Council and introduced the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Designate.
The District Grand Master called upon the District Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment and then addressed the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Designate on the Nature of his duties and the qualifications for the office.After the District Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Designate took his Obligation and was invested and installed in the Chair by the District Grand Master. Ill.Comp. Simon McCarthy was then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the Deputy District Grand Director of Ceremonies. A total of 25 appointments and promotions in District Grand Rank were announced.
The District Grand Master invited the Grand Master to address District Grand Council. The Grand Master said that he was delighted to be in Surrey once again, a beautiful, wooded County with nine Councils. He described the many things that Croydon was famous for over the years and said that it was good to see so many Districts represented today.
He reminded everyone that the meeting of Grand Council on the 18th of April will be a short business meeting at Mark Masons Hall and they are working hard on the 150th Anniversary Meeting which will take place at Freemasons Hall on the 30th of October. The Grand Master congratulated those who would be receiving appointment or promotion in Grand Rank on the 18th of April, as well as those who received District Grand Rank today.He thanked all the Surrey Companions who have looked after their Companions during Covid and encouraged everyone to continue to look at Brethren and Companions who can come into our Order. The Grand Master invited R.Ill.Comp. Arnold Long, Past District Grand Master, newly appointed Custodian of the Ninth Arch to retire with him in procession.
In his Address to District Grand Council. R.Ill.Comp. David Blackburn said how wonderful it was to see so many Cryptic Masons at Croydon. He thanked everyone, Surrey members and visitors alike. Companions of Pride of Surrey Council had turned out in force to support our District Grand Master…
….as had many members of the Mark Provincial Executive, present and past.
He congratulated the District Grand Officers, appointed or re-appointed, and hoped that they enjoy their office, and he encouraged them to come along on any of the visits with the District Team. He said that the mainstay of our operations are the District Recorder and his Assistant, and our District Director of Ceremonies. and he gave grateful thanks for their help and support.He asked us to note that he had included some of our newer members in the ceremonial and thanked them for their participation. He highlighted the 150th anniversary, something we are all looking forward to, which he hopes everyone will want to support. He said that the District has already answered the call by sending a £150 contribution towards a new Ark of the Covenant for Grand Council where the names of contributing Districts will be displayed on its pedestal.
Congratulations were also given to recipients of Grand Rank and those promoted at Grand Council next month. While the new rank is applicable then, they will be formally invested at the 150th celebration meeting. Most notable of which is his predecessor R.Ill.Comp Arnold Long, appointed Custodian of the Ninth Arch. Promotions are to Ill.Comp. John Bryant to Past Grand Lecturer; Ill.Comp. Simon McCarthy to Past Grand Conductor of the Council; 1st appointments to Ill.Comp. Bill Caughie as Grand Sword Bearer, and Ill.Comp. Hugh Everitt as Past Grand Standard Bearer.
R.Ill.Comp. David ended by saying that he can speak at length, but in view of the busy agenda we will be relieved to know that these words will be his last. He knows that we enjoy our Cryptic Masonry, but it is very important that we encourage others to join in that enjoyment, so he asked us please do our best to introduce others to the joys of Cryptic Masonry. He thanked everyone for supporting the meeting in such good numbers and asked that the Supreme Master of the Universe bless and aid us all.
The meeting was then called to order and closed in due form. The District Grand Master, the Deputy District Grand Master, the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, together with members of the Past Executive, honoured guests and District Officers then left the Temple in procession.
The members of the District Executive greeted all our Honoured Guests as they retired from District Grand Council.
After refreshments in the bar where we had time to catch up with old friends…
We were called into lunch…
There was a most convivial atmosphere in the dining room.
Especially at the Recorders’ table…
In proposing the toast to the Grand Master our District Grand Master presented him with a small token of our appreciation.
In thanking R.Ill.Comp David for his kind gesture the Grand Master said that has been a delight to visit Surrey again and wished everyone well.
After lunch we all made our way home – wishing the new Surrey team all the beat for the future.
Article and photos by Chris Eley< Back to news index
