To All Brethren of the Province.
I start this letter with great sadness as I mention the passing of M. W. Bro John Herbert Prizeman, Pro Grand Master of the Mark Degree, our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Kay and family as they come to terms with their grief and sad loss of a much loved husband, father and grandfather. Many of us have enjoyed special times and events with him within masonry, not only in the Mark Degre but in other Orders as well, in which he held high office.
We can also reflect on the Mark tours around the continent and parts of the United Kingdom when we saw another side of John and enjoyed many happy times together. I personally, like many of you, have much to thank John for. One I will always recall, is when I received a personal letter from him, as Mark P.G.M., offering me the office of Prov. GSW. It was unexpected and I felt very honoured and privileged. I phoned him and said, ”Thank you for your kind letter, I do not know what to say.” He replied, “I only want you to say one thing.” I told him that I accepted the invitation with honour. I had a wonderful year, together with W. Bro. Jim Corby as Prov. JGW. We will also miss the rapport between our P.G.M., Rt. W. Bro. George Deacon and the Pro Grand Master, who were the greatest of friends.
On a lighter note, we are blessed with seeing spring bursting forward with shows of snowdrops, an abundance of daffodils and many other flowers giving us a wonderful display. I hope that not too many of you have developed webbed feet in all of this rain, which is disrupting the possibility of getting on the garden to prepare the ground for sowing and planting. Pat has some potatoes in trays, chitting, ready to plant out and many new flower bulbs have been purchased ready to be planted out. I look forward to a very colourful summer in the garden.
My congratulations go to all those brethren who are to receive First Appointments, Promotions and Re-Appointments at the Annual meeting in April at Portsmouth Guildhall or later in the year. I am not being re-appointed and will be standing down as Prov. Almoner. I have enjoyed the office and have given it my best. I wish W. Bro. Richard Cox every success in that role. There will be one or two letters before I step down.
Please keep up the communications with other brethren which is of importance. Best wishes to you all.
Malcolm Lloyd, P.G.S.D., Prov. Almoner.