Brethren,

Charles Dickens wrote “It was the best of Times, it was the Worst of Times”. How appropriate are those words for this year? This time last year, no one could have predicted the months ahead: this has been a turbulent and surprising Year. There has been tragedy for those who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered the loss of loved ones and unable to pay their proper respects at the appropriate time. There have also been extraordinary acts of kindness and charity to those in need; as a Nation we have pulled together to help one another come through this awful Pandemic.

Dear Brethren All, 

What a mixture of restrictions the Province is now in, but we will be resilient and come through this. We are fast approaching Christmas and it will be different for most of us this year. There may not be the usual family gatherings but we can keep in touch in other ways. The main thing is to stay safe and look after yourselves. In spite of this have a good time, at the same time think of those who may be alone at this time. Pick up the phone and call someone to show they are not forgotten.

Dear Brethren,

The Provincial Grand Master is delighted to announce that following last nights Zoom meeting of the Grand Master‚Äôs Special Awards our very own W. Bro. Patrick Burridge, Prov.G.S.W, received appointment to Mark Grand Rank as P.G.St.B. in recognition of his outstanding community service during Covid-19. This is one of only 18 appointments across the whole order.

I am sure you will all wish to congratulate Pat on this very special appointment.

Dear Brethren,

You will be aware that the 2020 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival was due to be held by the Mark Province of Kent on Saturday 13^th June but had to be cancelled due to the Covid Pandemic. Some of you were Festival Stewards and many others purchased the Kent Festival badge. The result of all the Fund raising for the Festival has just been announced and the final total was a phenomenal ¬£2,080,000. This is by far the highest amount any Province has raised for a Festival. The actual Festival event will now take place 4^th September 2021 and a number of us will be attending.

Dear Brethren All,   

I thought that we had seen, maybe, the last of inspirational people but no, this week we saw the news that Kevin Shinfield had run seven marathons in seven days to support MND and his good friend in Rugby League, Rob Burrow, who has been struck down with this disease. What an achievement and dedication for someone special.

Dear Brethren All, 

Well, there is good news this week that a vaccine has been approved and will be taken into use very soon. However we must be patient and cautious still, the logistics of getting enough vaccine delivered and then giving it to us must be a nightmare. It will be a few weeks or maybe months before most of us are vaccinated. This is good news though and we are all, I am sure, very grateful for the scientists of many fields who are making this possible.

Dear Brethren All, 

I start by wishing our Provincial Grand Senior Warden, W. Bro. Patrick Burridge, best wishes for a recovery from his operation which took place this week. Hopefully the skill of the surgeons will make life easier for him. Please have him and all who are suffering, in your thoughts and prayers.

Dear Brethren All, 

I can start this weekly letter with optimism as there has been very good news on the development of what appears to be suitable vaccines having been formulated. As the Health Secretary has stated it is good news but it will only be in general use when there is confidence that it is effective without side effects. The scientists are to be congratulated for pulling out all the stops.

Dear Brethren All,  

This being Remembrance week I would like to say how impressed I have been in the manner in which the Nation has paid their respects. Every family in the country has, I am sure, been affected by the great conflicts that have taken place and still continue to do so, and we all like to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, or have suffered from these conflicts.

Dear Brethren All, 

What an interesting and challenging week I have had. On Sunday my daughter called in to give me a pre-lockdown haircut. She did not stay long as she wished to see quite a few clients in the days remaining before she has to cease her hairdressing and beauty treatment business for four weeks. On Monday we discovered a water leak under the sink, what with one thing and another it was Thursday before the leak was fixed. It also threw up the fact that our external shutoff valve did not work effectively so that and the water meter had to be replaced. All done now, am I glad that I had an insurance to cover all of this.