The Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of England
THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE and
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF DURHAM 8 The Esplanade, Sunderland, SR2 7BH, Tel. 0191 567 5365 Email: enquiries@durhamfreemasons.org Website: www.durhamfreemasons.org
Dear Brethren and Companions,
18 April 2022
Important Provincial Update from the Provincial Grand Master / Grand Superintendent Designate I am delighted to offer my congratulations to those Brethren and Companions who have been offered a First Appointment or Promotion in the Craft or Chapter for 2022. Such honours are richly deserved! We have some major Provincial events taking place in the coming months and I do hope you can support them where you can. Provincial Executive Team The following changes and subsequent appointments will be effective from June 25 th, 2022. VW Bro Stephen William Walker will be retiring as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. I would like to record my personal and the Province’s thanks to Stephen for the excellent service and support to our organisation in senior positions in the Chapter & the Craft during the last 11 years. Stephen has done an outstanding job particularly over the last few months as DepProvGM in Charge, and I wish him well for the future. I will have the pleasure of appointing W Bro Michael Graham as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. Michael has had 10 years’ experience around and in the executive, serving as Provincial Communications Officer for 6 years, acting ProvSGW in 2013, acting ProvGSN in 2016 and 4 years as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Michael’s drive and enthusiasm for masonry will be valuable as we take our Province forward. W Bro John David Watts will be appointed as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master from this date. John is no stranger to the Province and his experience as an Assistant previously, as well as his former role as Chairman of Durham Benevolence will be invaluable. His responsibility will be for Lodges in the North West of our Province. W Bro Gordon Brewis has indicated his wish to step down as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Gordon has been a valuable member of the Executive team both in the Craft and the Chapter. In the past few years, he has been instrumental in supporting our Halls with the estates team, and I’m pleased to say that Gordon will continue to provide support in these matters. Gordon will be replaced by W Bro Andrew P F Foster. Andrew was an outstanding Director of Ceremonies for the Province from 2010-2016 and was instrumental in our successful Raby Gala and Grand Raffles during our recent Festival campaign. Andrew will have responsibility for the South West, The Stewards Lodge and our VSOs. In Provincial Grand Chapter of Durham, E Comp Paul Hopper will be retiring from the Executive. Paul has been involved in an active role for 10 years serving as ProvAGDC, ProvDepGDC, ProvGDC, 3rdProvGPrin and lately 2ndProvGPrin. His service to our Province is without question and we wish him well. EComp David Hanson takes on the role of 2ndProvGPrin. David has just completed 6 years on the Chapter DC team as both the ProvDepGDC and ProvGDC with a further 4 years on the Provincial DC team as ProvDepGDC. David is a very experienced Freemason and will bring his character and enthusiasm to the Chapter team as he has done elsewhere.
I would like to record my sincere thanks to W Bros Clinton Leeks, Andrew Moule, Tom Gittins, Rak Bhalla, Craig Steel and Paul O’Doherty for their commitment and support in continuing in their present roles on the Executive and in particular E Comp Michael Shaw in his current role as DepProvGSupt in Charge. Provincial Areas Responsibilities The Executive members responsible for each area from 25th June 2022: Craft: North West AsstProvGM - John D Watts North East AsstProvGM - Clinton E Leeks South West AsstProvGM - Andrew P F Foster South East AsstProvGM - Andrew C Moule Chapter: South 2nd ProvGPrin - David N Hanson North 3rd ProvGPrin - Rakesh Bhalla. Directors of Ceremonies W Bro Jonathan Andrew Dixon our Provincial Director of Ceremonies for the last 6 years will be retiring from the position on 3rd September 2022 due to his move to Thailand. Andrew has been an outstanding DC in both the Craft and the Chapter since 2013 and we wish him and his family every success in their new home. I’m pleased to say W Bro Martin Rankin has accepted the position of Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and will be invested at our AGM at the Rainton Arena on Saturday 3rd September. With David Hanson joining the Executive I have pleasure in appointing E Comp Nigel Fallow as Provincial Grand Chapter Director of Ceremonies which will take effect from Saturday 25 th June 2022. We wish Martin and Nigel every success in their new roles. Sincerely and Fraternally
WBro John Paul Thompson Provincial Grand Master / Grand Superintendent Designate
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