The 2024 Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Surrey in the Allied Masonic Degrees
The 2024 Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Surrey took place on Saturday the 7th 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, as well as Heads of other Orders in Surrey. District Grand Council were honoured with the presence of the Past Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Clive Manuel.
The Past District Grand Master, the Past Deputy Grand Master, the R.W. Brethren 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.
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. 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. Bob presented him with another one of his caricatures, this time Superman.
John French - Superman
Our District Grand Prefect 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. He then presented R.W.Bro. John with a sign warning visitors to Plough Farm that a grumpy old Chelsea fan lives there….. After a most enjoyable day we all went on our way, looking forward to when we meet again.
< return to News Index
