Report provided by W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR – a member of the Provincial Media Team.
It was with keen anticipation that the first processions of the Annual General Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex began. On a sunny day in Covent Garden members of the Province gathered to participate in the proceedings. Firstly, the Past Assistant Grand Master RW Brother David Kenneth Williamson entered the Grand Temple. Other processions followed which included Past Pro Provincial Grand Masters, the Deputy Grand Master, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and other Provincial Officers. Visitors from other Provinces took their places. Current Masters of the Province of Middlesex Lodges were afforded the opportunity to process. Then followed the entrance of the Pro Provincial Grand Master RW Brother David Allan to tumultuous applause. All this was accompanied by Organ Fanfares on the Grand Lodge Willis Organ played by the Provincial Grand Organist W. Bro James Mooney-Dutton who is an Organ scholar.
Provincial Grand Lodge was opened and the Dispensation read. The Pro Provincial Grand Master was saluted with seven after which Lodge Banners carried by new Master Masons entered the Temple. At this time RW Bro David Allan had the sad duty to report that since the last AGM 104 Brethren had passed to Grand Lodge above. He mentioned some of the names and then everybody joined in singing “The Day Thou Givest is Ended.”
A warm welcome from the Pro Provincial Grand Master was given to RW Bro David Kenneth Wiliamson PAGM and representatives from the following Provinces; Berkshire Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and East Kent not to mention Metropolitan Grand Lodge. He also welcomed the Heads of other Orders in Middlesex, and their Representatives. This extended also to the Past Provincial Grand Masters of Middlesex RW Bro David Cons and RW Bro Peter Baker. Representatives from the Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex were also welcomed which included E. Comps John Eynon, Peter de Wolfe, Martin Farrell and Robert King.
The Roll of Lodges in the Province was called. This was followed by administrative matters including acceptance of the Minutes of the AGM 2025 and the confirmation of the audited accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025. There being only one nomination for the Office of Provincial Grand Treasurer W. Bro Kanti Mistry was appointed for the ensuing year. Other regular business was dealt with leading to the re appointment of VW Bro Jim Mitchell PGSwdB as Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
A GOODBYE
The Pro Provincial Grand Master then spoke about W. Bro Paul Sully who had given many years meritorious service to the Province but had now moved to the Province of Derbyshire to a new home. W. Bro Paul was given a good account of his work for the Province especially in the preparation and launch of the Middlesex 2031 Festival. Although leaving for pastures new, Paul remains the Festival Chairman. He was then presented with a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters collarette and Jewel. After this followed the reappointment of the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters: W. Bro Ian Ferguson, Warren Gel, Justin Purcell and Andy Wright, who were thanked for the significant contribution they had made to the Province fulfilling the requirements of their respective portfolios and undertaking the task of representing the Provincial Executive at Lodges in their Groups.
With the retirement of W. Bro Paul Sully, the Pro Provincial Grand Master was pleased to announce that the RW Provincial Grand Master, HRH Prince Michael of Kent had been pleased to appoint W. Bro Mark Millard PAGStB PProvGDC as one his Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. The Patent of Appointment was presented, inspected and found to be in order. RW Bro David Allan then gave a short history of W. Bro Mark’s masonic career in the Province after which he was Obligated, Invested and Installed as APGM.
The next item on the Agenda which many Brethren had been waiting for most eagerly was the investiture of those who were to receive first appointment or who had been promoted. Always a special occasion with many smiling faces moving toward the pedestal to receive the collar and jewel of their new masonic rank.
THE PRO PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS
RW Bro David Allan Pro Provincial Grand Master then gave his address to the Annual General Meeting. Outlined here are the salient points and the full transcript may be found via the link below. Essentially, he congratulated all those who had received preferment and thanked the PCC team for the work on the Annual Review booklet. He also spoke about the strategies of UGLE that were working and that membership in 2025 had increased and a small increase in Provincial membership of the Craft had been achieved. The Middlesex Cares Team was an important Provincial initiative, and he mentioned the meaningful and practical support provided to those who were experiencing health and financial difficulties. Other areas mentioned in the report included the registration for Portal, the Masonic Centres progress in opening up to community participation and involvement, the revival of the PGO Club and the successful launch of the 2031 Festival. Finally, the Pro Provincial Grand Master then thanked all the Provincial Officers of the last year and gave particular mention to W. Bro Michael Lavender, Provincial Grand Secretary and his team in the organisation of the AGM including the Past ProvGDC W. Bro Mark Millard as well as his successor W. Bro Frankie Whelan-Mellor.
Please press here full Address
Having given the Address the RW ProProvGM announced that he would present Centenary Jewels to members of Fulcorn Lodge No 4791. He then left the pedestal and presented a Jewel to each Lodge member. A letter from the Provincial Grand Master HRH Prince Michael of Kent congratulating the Lodge on this outstanding achievement was delivered to the Worshipful Master to his care.
Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in Ample Form and the Brethren retired to the Grand Connaught Rooms to partake of the Festive Board
