Dear Brethren All,
What changeable weather we have had this week, yesterday was heavy rain at times and this morning, at 07.47 hours the sky is clear and the sun is out. I hope that continues for the rest of the day and you all have a good day. We are off at lunchtime to celebrate one of our great grandson’s second birthday with the rest of the family.
During the week we had a visit from Pat’s sister and two of her brothers, a good time was had. Obviously talk got around to how the garden was looking. Pat mentioned that one of her shrubs had become deceased and needed removing. Without any fuss our visitors got out there and cut the said shrub down and then removed the roots. Two trips to the local tip and all traces of this shrub had disappeared. It is good to have thoughtful family about one. Pat and I have cleared out the weeds around the raspberry canes and applied a layer of manure. As always there is still much tiding up to do in the garden ready for the winter. The lawns are in good fettle having recently received a treatment of fertiliser and weedkiller. There is still a colourful display of flowers in the garden and Pat has been repotting bulbs ready for the spring.
I, along with a number of our fellow brethren, attended Grand Lodge recently to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Royal and Select Masters. It was a mixed day, especially for travelling on the train. Our trains from Andover, not being affected by strikes I must say, was nothing but delays. Overrun night maintenance was the first excuse, then a signalling failure. It became a bit farcical. In the end we arrived late and the meeting had started about 15 minutes before our arrival. It was though, an enjoyable day, finishing up with a history book of the Order. I hope that our Provincial Mark Anniversary celebration goes as well, next year.
Hopefully I will see many of you at the mid-term Sunday luncheon tomorrow, please say hello if I have not spoken to you.
Without sounding as though I am repeating myself, please, please, keep those lines of communication open. It is imperative that those we have not seen recently are contacted, it is too easy to assume that someone else is doing this. Being contacted twice is better than not being contacted at all. To those brethren who are not able, for various reasons, to attend our meetings, you are still in my thoughts and prayers, if you can and feel like a chat, please call me. My contact details are on this letter. Best wishes to you all and look after yourselves and your loved ones.
Kindest regards,
Malcolm Lloyd, P.G.S.D., Prov. Grand Almoner