PROVINCIAL ANNUAL MEETING - 2010

Once again the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday 24th April, 2010.

After Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form a deputation of current holders of Provincial Royal Ark Mariners Grand Rank was received. Dressed in their colourful regalia they made an impressive sight.

For the second year running, reigning Worshipful Masters and Worshipful Commanders paraded into Provincial Grand Lodge to be addressed by the P.G.M. In what must already be a special year "in the chair" this must be the icing on the cake for these worthy Brethren. The P.G.M. then intorduced all the distinguished guests of the Province which was met with prolonged applause. After the usual roll calls of Provincial Officers and Lodges, confirmation of Minutes the P.G.M. re-appointed V.W.Bro. John Wilson as Provincial Grand Treasurer and then V.W.Bro. George Deacon as Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

The next very important business was to appoint and invest a new Assistant Provincial Grand Master in succession to W.Bro. "Robbie" Robins who received the sincere thanks of the P.G.M. for his service to the Province as well as a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master's collarette. A deputation was formed by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and W.Bro. Roger Jenkins was escorted into Provincial Grand Lodge. After the patent had been read and he was obligated, he was presented to the Provincial Grand Master who invested him with his Chain of Office. He was then saluted with five and took his appropriate seat. The P.G.M. then appointed and invested Provincial Grand Officers.

Next followed the Annual Address to members of the Province by the P.G.M. with his usual verve and panache! One very important item remained; the P.G.M. invited the Craft Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Brian Bellinger to join him and on behalf of the Mark Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight presented him with a cheque for the magnificent sum of £5,000 towards the 2016 Festival.

After some general business Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form. Once again the wonderful organisation of the Meeting owed much to the retiring Provincial Grand Secretary and the Provincial Secretariate and the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, his Deputy and team.

Opening Provincial Grand  Lodge                         P.G.M. re-appointing the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. George Deacon

The retiring Assistant P.G.M. W.Bro. "Robbie" Robins receiving his collarette    The new Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. Roger Jenkins receiving his Chain of Office

              P.G.M. investing our new Provincial Grand Secretary - W.Bro. Peter Lewis                  P.G.M. presenting a cheque for £5,000 to W.Bro. Brian Bellinger