A Busy Morning for Southern Cross Council
In September the Brethren of Southern Cross Council No XIII had a very busy morning with the Installation of a new Master followed by a Degree of Knights of Constantinople. Present at the meeting was our District Grand Prefect, RW.Bro. John French and seven other Heads of Surrey Orders.
A Degree of St. Lawrence the Martyr was opened by the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Richard Baker, Dist.G.S.W. After taking the minutes the Council voted on a proposition to welcome as a re-joining member, V.W.Bro. Eric Trodd, P.G.Reg., and as joining members, W.Bro. Nigel Thomson, Dist.G.Stwd, (Sussex), and Bro. Alan White. This was carried unanimously. The Worshipful Master welcomed them into the Council and our District Grand Prefect welcomed them into the District.
The Treasurer, W.Bro. David Willmott, P.Dist.G.S.D., proposed that the sum of £1,000 be taken from the Benevolent Fund and donated to the Surrey Mark 2022 MBF Festival. This was approved and the Worshipful Master had much pleasure in presenting a cheque to R.W.Bro. Ian Clark, the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Surrey. R.W.Bro. Ian thanked the Brethren of Southern Cross Council for their generous donation.
After the accounts were presented and confirmed, Bro. Chris Eley was elected as Master for the ensuing year. Bro. Chris was Obligated and Installed into the Chair of Southern Cross Council by W.Bro. Richard Baker in a very sincere manner. Chris appointed Bro. Denis Leigh as his Senior Warden and Bro. Colin Beerling as his Junior Warden.
A Lodge of St Lawrence was then adjourned, and a Council of Knights of Constantinople was opened. Bro. John Massey was Constituted and Created as Knight of Constantinople by W.Bro. Chris Eley, assisted in an excellent manner by W.Bro. Bob Hancock who gave the Lecture.
The Council of Knights of Constantinople was closed, and a Lodge of St Lawrence was resumed.
After the regular business of the Council was concluded and the customary photographs taken the Brethren of Southern Cross Council and their guests sat down to a very convivial lunch at the Guildford Masonic Hall.
Article and photos by Chris Eley, District Grand Photographer
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