Dear Brethren

The Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Districts and Councils Overseas, District of the Southern Counties, have recently announced Grand Ranks for 2020. The Brethren receiving first appointments and promotions are tremendous supporters of the Progressive Orders.

To All Brethren within the Province,

What a hot week this has been, too hot for many of us, making sleeping difficult. Now the thunderstorms and rain have eased things for us. Tragically though the floods brought devastation to some parts of the country, let us remember those who lost their lives in the train crash in Scotland and send our best wishes to those who were injured. In spite of all that I trust that you are all safe and well.

To All Brethren within the Province,

I must start my letter this week by offering our condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones in the terrible explosion that took place in Beirut, Lebanon, last Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers must be for those who were injured in this disaster. One thing which was emphasised in the news bulletins was the dedication and resourcefulness of the hospital staff in all hospitals involved, some of which had been damaged in the tremendous blast. All the emergency services were stretched to the limits, having to contend with Covid 19 at the same time.

Brethren All,

I trust that I find you all safe and well on this sunny Saturday morning. The guidelines issued by the Government yesterday shows that we must still be cautious and realistic as to when we might be able to consider meeting again.

Brethren All,

Welcome to the latest letter from Andover. Perhaps like me you have received the directives and procedures to be adopted by the individual Masonic Centres. I admire the work and thought that has been put in to compiling these documents, not an easy task and in some cases raises queries but I am sure we will all benefit from the exercises carried out. Unfortunately, I feel, that it will still be a few months before any meetings take place and they certainly will not be the same without the festive board.

Brethren All,

Greetings on this fine Saturday morning, I trust that you are well. I will be going out soon for a quick trip to the local market to purchase fruit and vegetables for the week. Seems strange to look forward to something so simple.

Following a recent donation from the Province we were delighted to receive this letter;-

Brethren All,

I greet you all well and hope that you are safe and well. Perhaps you have been out a little more or ventured out for the first time for a while. Pat and I have been into Andover a couple of times, in some ways it seems strange but feeling more normal. The simple things in life are best.

My Dear Friends,

Pat has been busy picking soft fruits from our garden and has turned much of it into jam. We now have an additional seven jars of mixed fruit jam. This will not stay on the shelf long as it is then distributed to our children and grandchildren.

My Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Here I am again, sitting here on a Saturday morning thinking of what I am going to put in the letter today. At the moment it is raining, my garden certainly needs it, but what good weather we have had during the week. It has been too hot for some and we have found it cooler indoors than out, eases the thought of lockdown a little.