Dear Brethren All,   

Here we are into May already. I wish to share with you some good news that I received in the week, and I hope that some of you are aware of this already. I received a letter, dated 26^th April 2021, from the Grand Secretary of Mark Master Masons‚Äô, and I quote, ‚ÄúMark Benevolent Fund, Major Capital to support Hospices in England and Wales. In recognition of a lifetime and dedication to the Crown, and the nation, by His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Trustees of the Mark Benevolent Fund (M.B.F.) have approved a Major Capital Grant of ¬£1.25 million to support hospices in England and Wales.

Dear Brethren All,  

I hope that you are enjoying this sunny weather and are able to meet up with some of your family and friends. It is a nice feeling to think that we might be returning to some normality.

I know many of you have made a donation to the the Mark Benevolent Fund for a Hampshire and Isle of Wight 2026 Festival Jewel. The MBF have informed us that they are currently still in production and will be sent directly to recipients in the next few weeks.

Brethren,

Here is a link and password to watch the cloud recording of the virtual Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 17 April 2021.

Brethren hopefully today will be the last of our Annual Virtual Business Meetings and we can return to Portsmouth Guildhall next April.

My thanks to all who attended the Meeting today either by Zoom or Facebook, our Guests, the Heads of Orders and their representatives, and of course, The Deputy Grand Master and Past Provincial Grand Master of this Province, RW Bro John H Prizeman.

Dear Brethren All,  

What a shock I had early this week, on looking in the mirror I did not recognise the image in front of me. It was tidy and might have even looked a little younger. Yes, I, like some of you, have had a haircut and don’t I feel a lot better for just that pleasure. It is good to see the shops opening and services returning. Yes, we have to put up with restrictions on numbers, wearing face coverings, (which is now almost second nature), and social distancing but it is certainly worth it. Having said that I am not one who will be sitting outside restaurants or pubs for a while but I am glad that they can start earning some money again.

Dear Brethren All,  

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. He was a devoted and beloved husband to our Queen, a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He served this Nation and the Commonwealth with distinction. We express our deepest condolences to Her Majesty and her family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. I, along with over 4,000 brethren joined the Pro Grand Master of The United Grand Lodge of England, in a nine o’clock toast to Bro. Prince Philip, who had been a member of our Fraternity for over 60 years. I would think that many of you did as well.

Dear Brethren All,

I send you Happy Easter Greetings today, have a good weekend. It is a good feeling that some of the restrictions have been lifted and we are able to meet, outside, with our families and friends, albeit restricted in numbers. Two of our daughters have taken advantage of this and Helen arrived during the morning of Good Friday, it was a bit chilly sitting in the garden, but enjoyable. Just after lunch our youngest daughter arrived with her daughter, by this time the sun was shining on the patio. It was difficult though not to give any of them a big hug, that will have to come later.

Congratulations to those brethren re-appointed or promoted in Provincial Grand Lodge. Find the full list here.

Congratulations to those Brethren appointed to, or promoted in, the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.  Find the details here.