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 Sir and Brother / Companion
April 2021
Important Provincial Update from the Provincial Grand Master / Grand Superintendent Changes to the Provincial Executive team, Revised Provincial Areas, and the new Visiting Support Officers Scheme. Before and during the period of lockdown, I, and the Provincial Executive Team, have taken the opportunity to review a number of important areas related to the overall management and running of the Province. This has included changes to some senior appointments, a review of the role of Visiting Grand Officers and a review of the Provincial geographical areas. Details are briefly outlined below, and within the attachments to this email. Provincial Executive Team As from 26th June, WBro Simon Craig Steele will be retiring as Assistant Provincial Grand Master. I would like to record my personal and the Province’s thanks to Craig for the excellent service and support to our organisation he has given in many ways over the past 7 years, and wish him well for the future. Craig will continue as Chair of Durham Benevolence and continue his membership of the Provincial Executive team. I am very grateful for his continued work in this most important role. WBro Clinton Eliot Leeks will be appointed as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master from this date and his appointment provides an opportunity for a ‘reshuffle’ of areas and respective local rulers / leaders. It has also initiated a streamlining of the various structures from those proposed in 2020. This is in its very early stages and will be announced once the necessary consultations are complete, hopefully by the end of May. Provincial Areas The make-up of the current geographical areas has been for some time subject to analysis on many fronts: demographics, travel distance, age profile etc. This has resulted in some changes to achieve a better balance of the number of Lodges and Chapters within each area, and a more sensible grouping according to location. A revised Provincial Map is provided for information in this emailing. The Executive members responsible for each area is shown below and changes will take effect from 26th June 2021. Craft: North West North East South West South East
AsstProvGM - Gordon Brewis AsstProvGM - Michael Graham AsstProvGM - Clinton Leeks AsstProvGM - John Thompson
Chapter: North South
2ndProvGPrin - Andrew Moule 3rdProvGPrin - Paul Hopper.
Visiting Support Officers From an analysis of the varying needs of our Lodges and Chapters, and the changing nature of the need of support, the current ‘Visiting Grand Officer’ role has been replaced with a ‘Visiting Support Officer’ (VSO) now being attached to Lodges and Chapters. Each VSO has been personally appointed by me and is a Senior Mason (a Grand or Provincial Officer) who will be attached generally to only one Craft Lodge / Chapter. The VSO is seen as a crucial Provincial post in order to provide support to Lodges and Chapters in this period of rapid change, both locally and from UGLE and SGC. 1
A new online feedback mechanism to the Executive Team is in place for the VSO to use after meetings, with the primary aim of providing information to allow support to be given to Lodges, Chapters and members as well as being a more suitable way of recognising their achievements. Lodges, Chapters and VSOs have already been advised of their relevant details by way of individual letters, so contact can be made between them and a full list is attached in this mailing. I hope all will welcome and support the changes, as we eagerly look forward to the safe resumption of Masonic activity in due course. Sincerely and fraternally
John Arthur Provincial Grand Master / Grand Superintendent
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