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.

Dear Brethren All, 

I trust that you remember to alter your clocks tonight, we will be enjoying lighter evenings, which will please Pat.

Dear Brethren All, 

Here we are with the official first day of Spring with us. Nature is responding well to this and the garden is once again continuing to look very colourful, with yellow and white daffodils in  all their splendour. The planting and sowing has started, potatoes planted, carrot seed in the soil and so I will await with interest the progression being made.

Want to win up to ¬£250?  Of course you do, all the details you need to get involved with the current Warden's swindle can be found here.

Dear Brethren All,    

A mixed week in the garden, Pat has been cleaning out some of the borders and repotting shrubs, some pots fell apart so a trip to the garden centre to obtain new ones. Then the last few days have seen these heavy rain storms and we now await better weather next week.

Our Provincial Charity Steward has published a guide to how you can support the MBF as we head towards our Festival.  Find the guide here and other relevant forms on our charity page here.