Brethren, it is a pleasure to see you all here today and I am delighted to welcome you to this special meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge.

I would like to welcome our Distinguished Guests here and to thank RW Bro Steven Varley and his team, for the excellent way in which this ceremony has been conducted today.

I would also like to congratulate W Bro John Wilkinson on his thoroughly deserved appointment as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. I would also like to congratulate W. Bro Martin Eggermont on his reappointment as Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the appointments of W. Bro Karl Ward, Simon Simpson and Harry Elliott to Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.

I am delighted that you have all agreed to either take or continue in these very important roles and I look forward to working with you over the coming years. 

I am honoured to be standing before you today, fully aware of the responsibility that has been entrusted to me as your Provincial Grand Master.

Our Province has a proud history, rich in tradition, friendship and service but I want to begin by acknowledging that recent times have been unsettled. There has been disruption, uncertainty, and at times a sense that we have not been moving forward together as one. Freemasonry brings together men of different backgrounds and experiences who have a shared purpose and mutual respect. When that unity is strained the very fabric of what we hold dear is tested but I believe that within every challenge lies opportunity, and this is ours. We now can renew and strengthen the bonds that hold us together as Brethren.

I have appointed a new Executive Team today, a team with a shared commitment to work as a team, a team that will listen, a team that will support and one that will always act in the best interests of this Province and its members so that from the newest initiate to the most senior officer, they all receive the recognition, encouragement, and opportunity to contribute that they deserve.

It is also right that we recognise those Brethren who are Officers of Grand Lodge. They represent an important and valued part of this Province, bringing with them a wealth of experience, knowledge, and perspective gained through many years of dedicated service. At times, I believe that contribution has not always been fully recognised. I am determined to work closely with them, to ensure that their insight and expertise help shape the work we undertake together, and that they feel valued, respected, and fully included in the future direction of this Province. 

We will focus on membership and community engagement. Having launched the Building Together strategy last November we have started to make good progress with Craft and Royal Arch working closely together to continue the mantra of ‘One Journey, One Organisation’. We will also continue to work with our sister Provinces to share good practice and support each other.

Our community engagement work continues to be successful, led by APGM Martin Eggermont, who has a great team working with him. Martin also leads on Festival 2029 and you will see Brethren that the Charity Giving Envelopes today are in support of Festival.

The work we do and the approach we take rests with everyone of us. It will take time to get this right, and progress will require patience, understanding and above all, it will require your support.

We must set aside any division and remember the principles that bind us together, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. If we embrace those principles then harmony will not just return, it will flourish.

I am confident that our members and Units will continue to adapt and innovate, but whatever we do, everyone should continue to enjoy their Freemasonry.

I would like to thank all those members, of which there are many, who have been involved over many weeks in making today such a success and I thank you all for your attendance and support here today – a day we start our renewed journey, a journey which we shall enjoy, and which will at times bring some challenges, but importantly, it’s a journey we are on together.

Brethren, the best days of this Province are yet to come.

Thank you.