14 March 2026
Dear Friends and colleagues,
I wish you all well on this sunny but frosty morning, well it is frosty up here in the far north of the Province. It is the beginning of the end for me as Provincial Almoner, I attended my last Official Mark visit on Thursday at Botley, and handed my Provincial collar and jewel over to Alex. This will not be my last missive to you so I will have more reflections later.
It has been a testing couple of weeks in our household as Pat bent over to put on her socks and felt her back go. For a while she could not move and was in some pain. I have been carrying out more household chores than I normally do. Some of which have caused me to reflect on my upbringing. My beloved mother encouraged me and by two brothers, to get involved in matters around the house, like helping to put the bed sheets through the mangle, to some of you, this was the method of getting the water out of the sheets after washing them. We then helped to fold them properly after they had dried on the line. We were also encouraged, not forced, to learn how to cook. I do remember my mother saying to me, “I will teach you to cook as you will be no good to anyone, not even yourself, if you cannot cook.” I still enjoy cooking, which I do most days.
Talking of my mother, I wish you all a happy mothering Sunday. Mums, are to most of us, if not all, one of the most important people in our lives. They influence, very much our formation of fitting into society and behaving ourselves correctly. God bless all mothers and I still talk to my mum although she passed away some 50 plus years ago.
The lawns are now in need of another cut, which they will get when the grass is dry. Pat is now planning what to plant out and I have seen a number of flower bulbs laying on the side waiting to be planted. There is nothing better than seeing a very colourful display of flowers during the various seasons.
Please do not forget the MBF Festival, which is rapidly getting closer. There is still time to give your continued support. Keep those lines of communication open and contact those brethren or their families, that we have not seen lately.
Best wishes to you all, enjoy your weekend.
Kindest regards,
Malcolm Lloyd, P.G.S.D., Prov. Almoner.