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
Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters
On Tuesday the 18th of April, in a change to the regular calendar of meetings, brought about by the Sesquicentenary (150th Anniversary) celebrations of the forming of Grand Council to be held on Tuesday, 3 October, a 'business only' meeting of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters was held at Mark Masons' Hall.
The attendees were mainly the Rulers of the Order, District Grand Masters, other Right Illustrious Companions, and active Grand Officers of the last year.
With the addition of several other hardy Companions who had made the journey into London especially, there was a pleasant, relaxed, Cryptic cordiality to the meeting and after-proceedings.
Right Distinguished Companions entered Grand Council.
Followed by the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Principal Conductor of the Work and Officers of Grand Council.
The main item of business was the re-election of our Grand Master. This was proposed by R.Ill.Comp. His Hon. Ian D.G. Alexander, KC, Deputy Grand Master, in his usual eloquent manner. The Grand Master then welcomed the Heads of the Companion Orders and other distinguished guests.
Following his Proclamation by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, the Grand Master then announced that he was reappointing R.Ill.Comp. Alexander as Deputy Grand Master, and R.Ill.Comp. Norman as Grand Principal Conductor of the Work. The reappointments were greeted with applause from the Companions, and both were similarly proclaimed by the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The Grand Master moved the business along in swift but dignified fashion before arriving at the point where he was able to address the meeting:
"Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future, it is a continual calculation and an instructive exercise in foresight. And now we must have the foresight to look to the future, to a happy journey through the rest of the year culminating in our 150th Anniversary on 3 October.
"We must of course safeguard what we have achieved, but look forward to doing more, to move further, to grow and develop. We have lost time due to the pandemic, but we must not lose momentum. There is no rush, a measured approach shall be the way.
"There is also no panic, as our losses due to Covid were nothing like that which was originally feared and now there are encouraging indications that positive growth is not far off. We knew that we would be back eventually, although some took longer than others. But due to the strength, resilience, dedication, and commitment, of our Companions, we are now really back where we belong, and we, that is Grand Council, have waited for this moment to welcome you back with open arms.
"I congratulate all those whose promotions and appointments were gazetted in the eagerly awaited letters that were sent out last month, and I look forward to investing as many of you as possible with proper pomp and circumstance at Freemasons’ Hall during our Birthday Party in October. Those preferments take effect from today and all recipients can now start wearing their new kit."
The Grand Master then welcomed the Heads of the Companion Orders and other distinguished guests, before continuing:
"Companions, I cannot let this meeting end without drawing attention once again to the great debt of gratitude we owe to those who organise and direct Cryptic Masonry on occasions such as this. And I offer my sincere gratitude to:
"The outgoing Grand Council Officers, who although not being too overworked during the year have demonstrated total diligence and commitment.
"My District Grand Masters and Grand Inspectors for their unstinting industry and endeavour throughout last year and which I happily anticipate continuing with abundance into the next. It is also wonderful to see a goodly collection of Past District Grand Masters present continuing to support our Order to the full.
"The Grand Recorder and his staff for his, and their consistent and courteous commitment during the year, and for all the administrative arrangements made for today.
"The G.D.C. and his Team of Deputies, Assistants and Manciples for their heavy share of the labours and for an impeccable display of ceremonial that is the envy of many.
"My Executive, for all they have done and will continue doing, for their ever-ready supply of unsolicited and unbiased counsel and advice, even when completely unnecessary and not asked for!"
There being no further business, Grand Council was closed, and the Grand Master retired from Grand Council…
...greeting everyone on their way out.
The Surrey and Sussex delegation then returned for a group photo.
The Companions retired to refreshment…
…before sitting down to a most convivial meal at Mark Masons Hall.
The emphasis was clear, this year our focus is on the Sesquicentenary celebration on 3 October. A special agenda is being drawn up and will include:
Article and photos by Chris Eley
< Back to news index
On Tuesday the 18th of April, in a change to the regular calendar of meetings, brought about by the Sesquicentenary (150th Anniversary) celebrations of the forming of Grand Council to be held on Tuesday, 3 October, a 'business only' meeting of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters was held at Mark Masons' Hall.
The attendees were mainly the Rulers of the Order, District Grand Masters, other Right Illustrious Companions, and active Grand Officers of the last year.
With the addition of several other hardy Companions who had made the journey into London especially, there was a pleasant, relaxed, Cryptic cordiality to the meeting and after-proceedings.
Right Distinguished Companions entered Grand Council.
Followed by the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Principal Conductor of the Work and Officers of Grand Council.
The main item of business was the re-election of our Grand Master. This was proposed by R.Ill.Comp. His Hon. Ian D.G. Alexander, KC, Deputy Grand Master, in his usual eloquent manner. The Grand Master then welcomed the Heads of the Companion Orders and other distinguished guests.
Following his Proclamation by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, the Grand Master then announced that he was reappointing R.Ill.Comp. Alexander as Deputy Grand Master, and R.Ill.Comp. Norman as Grand Principal Conductor of the Work. The reappointments were greeted with applause from the Companions, and both were similarly proclaimed by the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The Grand Master moved the business along in swift but dignified fashion before arriving at the point where he was able to address the meeting:"Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future, it is a continual calculation and an instructive exercise in foresight. And now we must have the foresight to look to the future, to a happy journey through the rest of the year culminating in our 150th Anniversary on 3 October.
"We must of course safeguard what we have achieved, but look forward to doing more, to move further, to grow and develop. We have lost time due to the pandemic, but we must not lose momentum. There is no rush, a measured approach shall be the way.
"There is also no panic, as our losses due to Covid were nothing like that which was originally feared and now there are encouraging indications that positive growth is not far off. We knew that we would be back eventually, although some took longer than others. But due to the strength, resilience, dedication, and commitment, of our Companions, we are now really back where we belong, and we, that is Grand Council, have waited for this moment to welcome you back with open arms.
"I congratulate all those whose promotions and appointments were gazetted in the eagerly awaited letters that were sent out last month, and I look forward to investing as many of you as possible with proper pomp and circumstance at Freemasons’ Hall during our Birthday Party in October. Those preferments take effect from today and all recipients can now start wearing their new kit."
The Grand Master then welcomed the Heads of the Companion Orders and other distinguished guests, before continuing:
"Companions, I cannot let this meeting end without drawing attention once again to the great debt of gratitude we owe to those who organise and direct Cryptic Masonry on occasions such as this. And I offer my sincere gratitude to:
"The outgoing Grand Council Officers, who although not being too overworked during the year have demonstrated total diligence and commitment.
"My District Grand Masters and Grand Inspectors for their unstinting industry and endeavour throughout last year and which I happily anticipate continuing with abundance into the next. It is also wonderful to see a goodly collection of Past District Grand Masters present continuing to support our Order to the full.
"The Grand Recorder and his staff for his, and their consistent and courteous commitment during the year, and for all the administrative arrangements made for today.
"The G.D.C. and his Team of Deputies, Assistants and Manciples for their heavy share of the labours and for an impeccable display of ceremonial that is the envy of many.
"My Executive, for all they have done and will continue doing, for their ever-ready supply of unsolicited and unbiased counsel and advice, even when completely unnecessary and not asked for!"
There being no further business, Grand Council was closed, and the Grand Master retired from Grand Council…
...greeting everyone on their way out.
The Surrey and Sussex delegation then returned for a group photo.
The Companions retired to refreshment…
…before sitting down to a most convivial meal at Mark Masons Hall.
The emphasis was clear, this year our focus is on the Sesquicentenary celebration on 3 October. A special agenda is being drawn up and will include:- the formal investiture of this year's active Grand Officers
- a brief history of the Order and Grand Council
- a specially written lecture relating to the Ark of the Covenant
- some other, very special, one-off occurrences which will be announced in due course
Article and photos by Chris Eley
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