Provincial Grand Lodge 2024
At the annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting held at the Riveria International Conference Centre in Torquay, the largest number of Freemasons recorded for many years gathered to witness the day’s proceedings.
R.W. Bro. Nicholas Ball welcomed distinguished guests from the visiting Provinces of Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire Bristol, South Wales, Monmouthshire, Gloucester & Herefordshire together with Distinguished Brethren from other Orders and Degrees in Devonshire.
A poignant moment of silence was held in respect for the departed merit of the 120 brethren who had passed to the Grand Lodge Above in the previous year.
The usual business of Provincial Grand Lodge then took place with the installation of the Provincial Senior Grand Warden W Bro Andrew Hall and the Junior Grand Warden W Bro Georges Adroit followed by the appointment of the active officers for the year.
W.Bro John Smerdon has published further photos here – https://photos.app.goo.gl/rPXs85angDGLBJJGA – Please note the copyright terms when using images.
The PGM then addressed the brethren to deal with the three greatest problems facing the Province;
Declining numbers, & lodges buildings.
The PGM stated that we have stabilised the decline and now need to focus on growing, but we must also continue to be proactive, he encouraged Brethren to tell their friends about our Order and ask them to consider joining our lodges. Also, to ensure we sit down with and more importantly get to know the younger brethren. To enjoy their company and help them feel valued and encourage them to bring their friends into the friendship and brotherhood of our Craft.
He spoke of the physical state of some of our buildings and that now was the time to invest in them for the future. and our buildings”. We have too many buildings, especially in Plymouth and Torquay, some sadly are in a poor state.
If we are to grow our Order we need to improve our buildings and now is the time to invest in them.
It should be a legacy for our future and that is what I am seeking to protect. In Plymouth I have set up a steering committee and a fund, with the aim of providing a central Masonic facility – a professionally run, fit for purpose, modern with parking and high-quality amenities for both masonic and non-masonic functions. Torquay is also under consideration and Exeter is taking steps to protect the future of its Hall.
The full address can be read here – https://staging.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk/welcome/
Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed and all retired for a convivial lunch before returning home.
W Bro Clive Eden PAGDC
Provincial Grand Communications Officer