Provincial Promotions Meeting 2016
November 2016
Slightly earlier in November than most years our Provincial Promotions meeting was again held at Rainton Meadows Arena and, as always was a fantastic occasion.
This is a real chance for brethren from all corners of the Province to meet in a central location and catch up with old friends, acquire new friends and show their support to the brethren receiving a Provincial promotion for continued hard work and dedication to their lodges, masonic halls and within their local communities.
This is also a special occasion for the Acting Officers of the year, being the full Provincial meeting where the lodge is opened and closed with them remaining in their respective roles, of course at the main Provincial meeting in June a new team is appointed during the meeting and therefor Provincial P45s handed out to the outgoing officers in order to invest their replacements with their shiny new Provincial Collars.
The pomp and ceremony, precision planning and friendly atmosphere also make this a meeting not to miss and definitely one for most diaries at the beginning of the year and this year did not disappoint.
It also gives the brethren assembled an opportunity to remember brethren no longer with us and pay their respects, welcome distinguished guests from other Provinces and Orders and listen to our Provincial Grand Master as he rules his lodge and delivers his Address.
To read the full address delivered by the PGM click here
But of course the main reason for the meeting is to Promote Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham for outstanding merit and this was carried out as usual with professionalism and dedication by the Provincial Director of Ceremonies Team ably assisted by members of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, who conducted the ‘Carousel’ in the usual clockwork fashion.
To see a full list of Officers promoted on the day click here
To top off a fine day the Provincial Grand Master had two plot twists up his sleeve as near the end of the meeting he promoted Joe Bulmer to Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden and awarded Andrew Foster with the Provincial Grand Masters Certificate or Service to Freemasonry, to the absolute shock and delight of them both, the brethren showing their appreciation with a thunderous applause to both awards.
A fantastic occasion that left the brethren present heading for the doors wearing huge smiles after an enjoyable event.
These occasions would of course not be anywhere near as enjoyable if it was not for the hard work and dedication of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Andrew Dixon and his team, the Provincial Grand Secretary, Tom Gittins and his team and of course the Provincial Grand Stewards to dedicate so much time and enthusiasm into our Province, a lot of which goes unseen.
Thanks to everyone involved and we look forward to more of the same next year!