Secretary's Report (December 2007)

The 2008 New Masons’ Dinners will be held at Beaconsfield on 16th January 2008 and Bletchley on 17th January 2008. This is an ideal opportunity for those initiated in the last twelve months, together with their partners, to meet some of the Provincial Executive team and air any questions that they might have.

The Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy will be at both sessions. I shall be at Beaconsfield and an APGM will attend Bletchley as I have Masonic duties elsewhere. All initiates have been sent a letter inviting them. Please encourage your new members to attend – they are enjoyable evenings and also help to introduce the partners to what we get up to.

At Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge on 12th December, the new rules for Provincial appointments and promotions were ratified. All Secretaries have been sent a letter giving full details and the appropriate forms.

In simple terms, we will receive one appointment for each Lodge in the Province. Promotions, whilst having to be earned, will not be restricted in numbers. This will give us the opportunity in 2008 to “play catch-up” for some of those deserving brethren who missed out over the past three years.

The last three-month period from 1st September to 30th November 2007 saw twenty five initiates in the Province, together with nine joining and rejoining members. Sadly, this was offset by twelve deaths and thirty one resignations & exclusions, resulting in a net loss of nine – a distinct improvement over previous periods. Total unduplicated membership in the Province now stands at 3767.

I would like to end by wishing you and your families an enjoyable, healthy 2008.