The 2023 Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Surrey in the Allied Masonic Degrees
The 2023 Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Surrey took place on Saturday the 2nd of December at Croydon Masonic Hall.
Brethren of the District of Surrey and their guests started arriving from 9 am where they received a warm welcome from the reception team...
…before making their way into the lounge where tea, coffee and bacon butties were being served.
There were many guests from other Districts, such as Kent…
…and Southern Counties.
District Grand Council were honoured with the presence of the Past Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Clive Manuel, seen here with the District Grand Prefect, R.W.Bro. John V C French, and other Right Worshipful Brethren.
The R.W. Brethren, the Past Deputy Grand Master, and the District Grand Prefect entered in procession into District Grand Council…
…to music from our District Grand Organist, Bro. Bob Soper.
The District Grand Prefect opened District Grand Council and welcomed all the guests and visitors, especially the Past Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Clive Manuel.
After the regular business of the Council had been concluded, the District Grand Prefect announced that he had much pleasure in re-appointing W.Bro. Robert Gregory (Bob) Tuthill as his Deputy District Grand Prefect.
The District Grand Prefect appointed and invested the District Grand Officers of the year, and those promoted in Past District Grand Rank.
On appointing Bro. Trevor Sadler as the new District Grand Secretary our District Grand Prefect expressed his appreciation to W.Bro. Alan Brockwell for all he has done for the District over the past seven years as District Grand Secretary.
He then addressed District Grand Council. In his address he said that it was good to see so many Brethren present and thanked everyone for their support, especially our Past Deputy Grand Master who is always most welcome in Surrey, and whose company we enjoy immensely. He said that visiting is an important part of all Freemasonry, and thanked our guests for the generous hospitality which he and his team receive around the country when they visit other Districts.
The District Grand Prefect congratulated all the Officers whom he had been pleased to appoint or promote in District Grand Rank, hoping they will all enjoy their year in Office, and if possible be able to support the Official Visits this coming year. He also congratulated the Brethren who received Appointment or Promotion in Grand Rank at the Annual Meeting of Grand Council at Great Queen Street. He thanked the District Recorder and the District Grand Director of Ceremonies and their teams for ensuring today’s meeting was a success, and finished by wishing everyone and their loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
District Grand Council was then closed in due form and the District Grand Prefect retired in procession from District Grand Council accompanied by District Grand Officers and Honoured Guests.
Greeting everyone on their way out from the Temple.
After a few group photos with the members of the other Districts…
…we retired for refreshments.
Where we were joined by Pat Crossan, the Provincial Prior of Surrey, a guest for lunch…
…and W.Bro. Rufus who brought along W.Bro. Mark Bajona – his driver.
The Brethren of the District Grand Council of Surrey and their guests sat down to a splendid lunch at the Croydon Masonic Halls.
The Toast to the District Grand Prefect was given by W.Bro. Bob Tuthill, the Deputy District Grand Prefect. He said how good it was to see John at the meeting after his health challenges over the past few months and presented him with another one of his caricatures to remind him of his stay in hospital.
In his reply our District Grand Prefect thanked everyone for their support and best wishes over the past few months, and had much pleasure in presenting W.Bro. Alan Brockwell with gifts for him and Wendy in thanks for all he has done for the District while District Grand Secretary.
He then proposed the toast to the visitors thanking them again for their support for the District. R.W.Bro. Clive Manuel responded by saying it was always good to visit Surrey and wished John and his team all the best for the future.
After a most enjoyable day we all went on our way, looking forward to when we meet again.
Article and photos by Chris Eley, District Grand Photographer
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