Royal and Select Masters Grand Council 150th Anniversary
- Details
- Category: Royal & Select Masters
Join us for this celebration of 150 years of our Grand Council at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, on Tuesday, 3 October 2023
Join us for this celebration of 150 years of our Grand Council at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, on Tuesday, 3 October 2023
The Portal Lecture
The Provincial Grand Wardens Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 2035, which was Consecrated on 26 February 2022, will hold its First Regular Meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 17 September 2022 at Alderson House, Warwick CV34 4AX.
Membership of the Lodge is limited to Brethren who are or have been active Wardens in any Province or District under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas.
The Portal Lecture will be delivered at this meeting by V.W.Bro. Dr Rod G. Taylor, P.G.J.O. All proceeds from the meeting will be in support of the current Mark Festival that is being held in 2023, by the Province of West Yorkshire.
The Lecture is entitled “The First Royal Mark Mason”.
The meeting will be followed by a Festive Board at 1.00 p.m. Details can be obtained from the Lodge Secretary.
Attendance at the meeting is limited so if you wish to attend please contact the Secretary, W.Bro. Christopher R. Denley, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Grand Priory of the Knights Beneficent of the Holy City of the Rectified Scottish Rite of England and Wales
To each and every Sir and Reverend Knight of the Order
Today should have been the Annual Meeting of Grand Priory but because of the COVID-19 pandemic we are unable to meet. We would also have held an emergency meeting of the Prefectory of St. George of London, No.1 at which we would have created and commissioned as Knights many Squire Novices who have all merited this distinction. We look forward to being able to hold our Lodge meetings in the future but we must consider the health, safety and welfare of all of our members before doing so.
At the meeting of Grand Priory, I would have had the pleasure of conferring the honour and dignity of Knight Commander of the Holy City on V.Revd.Kt. Kessick John Jones and V.Revd.Kt. Ryan Andrew Williams. I congratulate them both. I also congratulate those Knights who would have been appointed to, or promoted in, Grand Rank. Although I am unable to invest them personally their new rank becomes effective from today.
The early part of the year had many encouraging and positive features. The sharing of the readings enabled many more members to participate in the ceremony and the candidates now have a seat provided for them whilst listening to the longer discourses. I am delighted by the enthusiasm being shown by all the members and this is reflected by the high morale across all the four Prefectures. Most pleasingly all of the newest Lodges have been established on a sure foundation and are already showing steady growth. I have spoken with all the Regional Prefects and I admire the manner in which they have led their Region throughout these difficult times. In addition, we are blessed that senior Knights Templar are showing a keen desire to join our Order.
I must now give my grateful thanks to the Deputy Grand Master, R.Revd.Kt. John Wright; the Grand Visitor General, R.Revd.Kt. Vivian Thomas; the President of the Grand Master`s Council, R.Revd.Kt. Kessick Jones; the Grand Chancellor, R.Revd.Kt. Ryan Williams and all the othersenior officers and the staff at Mark Masons` Hall for their loyalty, support and sound advice.
Over the years Freemasonry has weathered many storms. We now need patience and a firm resolve until we finally emerge from this pandemic when we will be ready to meet our new challenges. We look forward to consecrating a new Lodge in Avalon.
May the Great Architect of the Universe keep you safe and well.
God bless you all.
Yours faithfully and fraternally
Michael E Herbert
M.Em. & Revd. Kt. Michael Edward Herbert, G.C.H.C.Grand Master
In March 2014 Right Illustrious Companion David John Blackburn was installed into charge of the Royal and Select Masters District of Surrey – only the third District Grand Master since the District was Constituted in 1994, having formerly been part of Middlesex and Surrey.
He was Admitted into the Order in July 2005, in Waverley Council No. 205 and now is a member of the Order’s Executive Committee.
During the past ten years, R.Ill.Comp. David has carried out the duties of his office with dignity and confidence and has furthered relations between the District and the Order’s headquarters at Mark Masons’ Hall, in London.
As he approaches the tenth anniversary of his installation, he has indicated that he feels it is now time to step aside in favour of a successor and, on behalf of Grand Council, we want to thank him for all that he has done for Cryptic Masonry during his time in charge of the District.
Because of R.Ill.Comp. David’s upcoming retirement, the Grand Master has been considering the appointment of a successor and I am very pleased to inform you that Ill.Comp. William Agnew Caughie, G.Swd.B., has accepted the invitation to be your next District Grand Master.
Ill.Comp. Caughie is well known to you and needs no introduction, and I am sure you will join me in congratulating him on his forthcoming preferment. His installation will take place on Saturday, 23 March 2024 and R.Ill.Comp. David will retire at midnight on Sunday, 10 March 2024.