Those of us who work in the Provincial Office have been fortunate this year to share the excellent facilities on offer. The team of six volunteers give between them 11 days each week of exceptional support and then continue to work at home on their particular projects. This Province is lucky to have the breadth and wealth of experience that these Brethren bring to our various activities. Our migration to the UGLE ADelphi database has taken place successfully but much of this success is due to the dedication of this team. Thanks are also due to those Brethren who have given both of their time, together with fixtures and fittings to extend the facilities of the office. It seems impossible that we have now occupied the building for over a year.
Most of our secretaries have attended one of the 17 seminars we have held at the office and have seen the conference facilities, and the new computer system, including the interactive white-board, in action. The seminars will be followed by training sessions aimed at those areas of need identified by secretaries when we met. I am pleased also that the Mark Executive has made use of the conference room for their meetings.
Our Provincial Grand Master, along with his Deputy and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters have been extremely busy visiting Lodges within the Province and also representing Hertfordshire at Metropolitan Grand Lodge and ten other Provincial meetings. Every Lodge in the Province received at least one official visit by a member of the Executive or one of the Provincial Grand Master’s appointed representatives during the year. When the Provincial Grand Master or his deputy is in attendance, the Provincial Grand Sword Bearer, the Standard Bearer and two Stewards have accompanied them. This custom was extended to include W Bro Brian Tierney, the longest serving Assistant Provincial Grand Master, who was accompanied by the sword and standard bearers. These visits have been very much appreciated by the members of the Lodges concerned, and those attending the meetings are appreciative of the welcome that they are given. Apart from the visits to Installation meetings, there have been visits to celebrate centenaries, banner dedications and other anniversaries at Herts. Imperial Yeomanry No 3192, Hatfield No 3190, Cassiobury No 3234, Welwyn No 3227, Salisbury No 3228, Sprig of Acacia No 3318 and Waltham Cross No 5359. Another special event was the Consecration of the Hertfordshire Lodge of the Legion in March. We congratulate all of these Lodges on achieving their respective milestones and wish them continued success in the future. In April the Provincial Grand Master led a team to Consecrate Lodge St John in Serbia; our friends from Hiram Lodge, Bulgaria (the Lodge the PGM Consecrated in 2006), travelled to meet us in Belgrade. The PGM and I travel twice yearly to Sofia to assist with Hiram’s Lodge of Instruction. The WM of Hiram Lodge and the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria, RW Bro Vasil Kolev, were present at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans in July for the blessing of an Icon of the Transfiguration, presented by Bro Vasil. They and their wives were very impressed by the service and the refreshments in the Dean’s garden afterwards, when over 600 Brethren and their guests shared wine and sweetmeats provided through the generosity of two of our Brethren. All of these celebrations were happy and successful occasions much enjoyed by those fortunate enough to be present.
Other events of note during the past twelve months include the Remembrance Sunday parades, when the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country were honoured. Members of the Executive and Brethren who had served in conflicts over the past fifty years laid wreaths at several ceremonies organised by the Royal British Legion. The two carol services at Rickmansworth and Waltham Abbey were well-attended and most enjoyable occasions.
Grand Rank:
I extend, on behalf of all members of the Province, congratulations to the following Brethren who were honoured by the MW Grand Master at the Annual Investiture held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday 25th April.
Through Hertfordshire
| Promotions: | From | To |
| John Ilott | PJGD | PDepGSwdB |
| Michael Roff | PAGDC | PJGD |
| Alan Wiffen | PAGDC | PJGD |
First Appointments:
| Rank | |
| Peter Richards | PAGDC |
| Colin Taylor | PAGDC |
| Peter Boughton | PGStB |
| Donald Ballard | PGStB |
Through London or other Provinces
Promotions:
| From | To | |
| Stephen Fenton | GStB | SGD |
| John Dunster | PGStB | PAGDC |
First Appointments:
| David Thompson | AGStB |
| Terry Dancer | PAGDC |
It is hoped that they will have many years in which to enjoy their promotions or new appointments.
LONG SERVICE AWARDS:
It is with pleasure that I record the names of Brethren who during the year were presented with Long Service Certificates commemorating the completion of 50 years or more service to the Craft.
60 Years
| W Bro Eric Gold | Abbey Lodge No 3341 | 22nd May 1946 |
| W Bro Harold Arghebant | Abbey Lodge No 3341 | 3rd July 1946 |
| W Bro Gordon Allan | Garston Lodge No 5644 | 3rd October 1946 |
| W Bro Richard Kempsell | Walnut Tree Lodge No 5192 | 14th December 1946 |
| W Bro Harry Pritchard | Bushey Hall Lodge No 2323 | 18th January 1947 |
| W Bro Raymond Martin | Asylums Board Lodge no 2842 | 31st March 1947 |
| W Bro John Hendey | Hemelhemstede Lodge No 7923 | 5th July 1947 |
50 plus Years
| W Bro Edmund Goodman-Smith | Watford Lodge No 404 | 2nd May 1952 |
| W Bro Ronald Gunton | Leavesdon Lodge No 6642 | 14th January 1953 |
| W Bro Raymond Rabbetts | Sawbridgeworth Lodge No 5110 | 24th April 1954 |
| W Bro Geoffrey Robert Harris | Woodhall Park Lodge No 7125 | 22nd March 1955 |
| W Bro Sydney Lever | Abbey Lodge No 3341 | 6th July 1955 |
| Bro Philip Newman | Hartsbourne Lodge No 9680 | 5th September 1955 |
| W Bro Bruce Voller | East Herts Border Lodge No 6641 | 21st October 1955 |
| W Bro John Scott | Asylums Board Lodge No 2842 | 1st December 1955 |
50 Years
| W Bro Richard Woodcock | St Nicholas Lodge No 6658 | 24th January 1956 |
| W Bro Edward Cropp | Herutforda Lodge of Sincerity No 7632 | 12th April 1956 |
| W Bro Arthur Craddock | United Services Lodge No 3813 | 20th September 1956 |
| W Bro John Elliott | Leavesdon Lodge No 6642 | 17th October 1956 |
| VW Bro Sidney Tuck | Esoteric Lodge No 6774 | 6th December 1956 |
| W Bro Michael Mercer | Welwyn Garden City Lodge No 5748 | 11th January 1957 |
| W Bro Andrew Stewart | Totteridge Lodge No 6130 | 11th January 1957 |
| W Bro Thomas Carroll | East Herts Border Lodge No 6641 | 21st January 1957 |
| W Bro Kenneth Saunders | Harpenden Lodge No 4314 | 22nd January 1957 |
| W Bro Michael Brazier | Ludgrove Lodge No 7766 | 23rd January 1957 |
| W Bro Frank Ball | The Temple Bar Lodge No 5962 | 13th February 1957 |
| W Bro Cyril Kelly | Cuffley Lodge No 8950 | 15th February 1957 |
| Bro Dennis Pateman | Hitchin Lodge No 6561 | 8th April 1957 |
| W Bro Arthur Clough | Hertford Lodge No 403 | 25th April 1957 |
| W Bro Marshall Levy | Hartsbourne Lodge No 9680 | 16th May 1957 |
| W Bro Michael Gill | Gaddesden Lodge No 3398 | 25th May 1957 |
| Bro Robert Andrews | Broadhurst Lodge No 9415 | 20th June 1957 |
| W Bro Jacob Steinhart | Lodge of Light of Honour No 5923 | 2nd July 1957 |
| W Bro Harry Hilton | Radlett Lodge No 6652 | 13th July 1957 |
We extend our congratulations to these long-serving brethren and trust that they will continue to enjoy their Freemasonry for many years to come.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Annual Returns from Lodges show the total number of subscribing memberships to be 7739. This is a decrease of 168 on the previous year. This figure includes Brethren who are members of more than one Lodge and, when an adjustment is made to take into account multiple memberships, we have a total of 6668 individual members in the Province. This is a decrease of 120. During the twelve months to 31 March 2007 there were 197 Initiates with an average age of 43 years, and the increase in the number of Initiates has continued over the past few months. Although there was still a further reduction in our membership, the percentage is much lower than during the three previous years. One statistic over which we have no control is the number of Brethren who are called to higher service by T.G.A.O.T.U. and the death of 94 of our members during the last year, including two Grand Officers.
As mentioned previously in my reports, our database is only as good as the information we receive. I would urge yet again Lodge secretaries and treasurers to please let us know as soon as they are aware of any changes to their membership. As all of our Brethren are aware the twice-yearly Provincial Newsletter is posted direct to the address registered on our database. It is of concern that in April, over 60 were returned because a Brother had died or had moved. In the case of the former, it causes so much distress to those who have lost a loved one. Again thanks go to the members of the Stewards’ Lodge who help by packing and labelling the envelopes. We notionally try each time to set a new record, and the last two occasions have been completed in just over three hours. The Provincial News and also the Year Book are two important means of communication; the thanks of the Province go to all who participate in their production.
We continue to receive several requests for information from interested young men who have looked on the Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge websites. We have been able to put them in touch with secretaries in their areas and nearly 30 have been initiated.
We now contact all but six of our secretaries by email, which not only reduces the postage costs and the time to pack envelopes, but also makes for speedy replies when necessary. Our new website is in operation and more and more information is distributed through this medium.
In conclusion, I express my appreciation for the help and support I have received, and continue to receive, from all the members of the Province.
Keith Gilbert