Dear Brethren all,
At last, I have made time to compose a letter to you all, I have not forgotten you as you all mean so much to me. Yesterday, Pat and I attended the Ins and Outs Sunday lunch at Botley which was well attended and there was a good buzz in the present. Thank you to the Wardens, Maurice and Mark for arranging this event.
Congratulations to all who have been appointed to the Provincial Team for the coming year, make the most of your appointment and have an enjoyable time. Hopefully we will see many of you at Portsmouth Guild Hall on 12th April, 2025, for the Provincial Meeting. During the proceedings the P.G.M. announced some of the Grand Officer Appointments, which had been delivered in the post on the Saturday. My personal congratulations to all who have received preferment, they are all well deserved. I am sure that as soon as all have confirmed their acceptance a list will be published.
As it is spring the garden is coming along well, we have a good showing of daffodils, both yellow and white, crocuses, snowdrops by the bucket full. Pat has sown sweetcorn, carrots, broad beans and a variety of other vegetables. The potatoes will be going in this week. I have cut the lawns so a weekly chore has been started in order to keep the grass looking good.
Unfortunately, some of our brethren have been called to the Grand Lodge above recently and we have their families and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep in touch with one another, as I have said many times before, pick up that phone and speak to a brother that you have not seen at Lodge recently, or visit him and share coffee or tea together. Also bear in mind those brethren who are unwell or have wives or loved ones suffering ill heath and their priorities are with looking after that special person, they might appreciate a visit or call now and then.
We have just over a year until the MBF 2026 Festival is to be celebrated, there is still time to contribute if you are able and willing to do so. It is acknowledged that times are not easy in this economic climate but every little helps. This Province has benefitted recently in a number of ways from contributions from the MBF, for which we are very grateful.
Brethren, please keep those lines of communication open and keep our family feeling alive.
Malcolm Lloyd, P.G.S.D., Prov. Almoner