A Special Evening at Bromsgrove Conclave O.S.M.

Bromsgrove Conclave No. 224, meeting in Kidderminster, opened at 17:59 on Tuesday, 03 June for an evening that was always going to be a little special with both an induction and installation taking place. With the conclave open there was an alarm at the door. The provincial DC, Wy.Bro. Mark Wainwright, announced that our Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler and Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler were without and demanding admission. And so they were admitted under the Arch of Steel. With barely time to make ourselves comfortable, a further alarm revealed the presence of the Grand D.C., R.Wy.Bro. Ray Ellis and Grand Supreme Ruler, M.Wy.Bro. Andrew Sweeney, who were without and demanding admission which again spurred the Arch of Steel into action. The reason for such illustrious presence? The induction of one Brother Kerry Parkes who is well known and respected and holds grand rank in various orders. Indeed the Grand Supreme Ruler has been trying to entice him into our wonderful order for some twenty years now.

And so the ceremony of induction took place, expertly lead by Supreme Ruler Wy.Bro. Ian Calvert and supported by an excellent team of Officers and visitors.

With little time to catch his breath, the S.R. then proceeded to Install R.Wy.Bro. Peter Roberson, erstwhile long-term Secretary of the Conclave, as S.R., some 37 years since he was last in that Chair. Having been expertly Installed, our new S.R. took charge of his Conclave and appointed and invested his team of Officers, including Wy.Bro. Richard Nokes as the new Secretary. He will have a tough act to follow, but we also know he will do his very best. But that wasn’t all! Our Dep.Prov.G.S.R., Wy.Bro. Dr. Howard Carlton presented a Grand Conclave certificate to one of our newer brethren, and then the surprise of the evening: the Conclave’s DC, V.Wy.Bro. Charles Dodge was brought before our Prov.G.S.R., R.Wy.Bro. Bob Vaughan, to be presented with a certificate marking forty years of dedication to the order. He was then immediately promoted to the rank of Past Grand Guide by the G.S.R. in a “field promotion.” What superb rewards for 40 years of dedicated service to his conclaves, the province and the order. An induction, an installation, a grand lodge certification presentation, a forty year certificate and high-rank grand promotion. Evenings don’t come much more special than that! W.Bro. Ian Calvert will sleep well tonight, after an exceptional evening’s work.

Cheshire and North Wales Provincial Conclave 2025

Freemasons’ Hall, Plough Lane, Christleton, flew the Welsh flag and was bathed in sunshine on Wednesday, 18 June, for the 2025 Cheshire and North Wales, Order of the Secret Monitor Provincial Grand Conclave.

Rehearsals had started at 9 o’clock for the Arch of Steel and the Provincial Grand Officers.

The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Worthy Brother Anthony Lloyd, had everyone in their rightful places by 10.45, and the first procession of Distinguished Guests entered, led by Right Worthy John Stafford Stevens, the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler of Staffordshire and Shropshire, and passed through the Honour Guard of the Arch of Steel.

Worthy Brother Lloyd once more called the meeting to order to receive the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, Right Worthy Brother Tony Stringer, accompanied by the Provincial Grand Officers of the year.

With Provincial Grand Conclave duly open, it was established that there was a good representation from all the Provincial Conclaves in attendance.

During the In Memoriam, Right Worthy Brother Tony Stringer gave a very touching and personal eulogy to two of the departed merit, Right Worthy Brothers Gerald Colwell and Walter Yule, both Past Grand Guides. He particularly noted the distinction of Right Worthy Brother Gerald as having been a former Recorder of two Provinces - Essex and Cheshire & North Wales.

To lighten the mood after the In Memoriam, it was time to welcome the Distinguished Guests.

This part of the meeting is always entertaining and this year was no exception with humorous banter being exchanged between the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler and the guests of the Province.

Then it was time for the main item of the meeting, to appoint and invest the Provincial Grand Offices for the ensuing year.

First of the appointments was Worthy Brother Andrew Peter Christopher Tong as the new Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler.

Right Worthy Brother Stringer provided a background of Worthy Brother Andy before obligating, investing him with his appropriate regalia and installing him in his rightful seat.

On the completion of appointment and investiture of the Provincial Officers, the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler inspected his Arch of Steel, informing them that their performance was being monitored by the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Grand Supreme Ruler’s Arch of Steel.

Right Worthy Brother Tony then presented his annual address to the meeting, thanking his outgoing Deputy, Worthy Brother Paul Burton, for his support and service over the couple of years.

Finally, with the meeting closed, it was time to sing the Welsh Anthem and the National Anthem.

Congratulations must go to the Commander of the Arch of Steel, Worthy Brother Philip Rose, and his Deputy, Brother David Ginger, for the very proficient way the team supported the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler and represented the Province.

Very many thanks must go to the Provincial Recorder, Worthy Brother Alan Harrison, who not only organised a very efficient and effective meeting but also managed to arrange for the sunshine to shine brightly on the day.

A Golden Wednesday for Golden Arrow - in Ashford

Earlier this week Golden Arrow Conclave held their regular meeting in Ashford with an official visit by the Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, Wy.Bro. Phil Clare in attendance.

The reason for Phil’s visit - to present the Conclave with their Collarettes for:

Grand Master’s Keystone

O.S.M. Benevolent Fund - GOLD Patron

M.B.F. - Vice Patron & Patron

On presenting the collorettes, Wy.Bro. Phil commended the members on reaching the various levels and their commitment to not just the M.M.H. charities but the local community as well.

Golden Arrow is a Special Interest Conclave being the ‘Services’ Conclave for the Eastern part of the County and references to this can be seen throughout the Conclave Furniture.