On Saturday, 20 May at Freemasons’ Hall, The Griggs Centre, Sheaf Close Northampton, the East Midlands District Royal & Select Masters held its Annual meeting with 135 Companions present.

The meeting was attended by the Grand Master, Most Illustrious Companion Kessick John Jones, IX, escorted by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Very Illustrious Companion Graham Seeman, P.Pres.E.C.

At the meeting were twelve Right Illustrious Companions travelling from all over the Country.

Aso present was Right Illustrious Companion Michael Herbert, Past Deputy Grand Master; and Right Illustrious Companion Michael Jolley, Custodian of the Ninth Arch, Past District Grand Master.

After the usual business of the meeting had been conducted the District Grand Master, Right Illustrious Companion Martin Wilson, then re-appointed Illustrious Companion Ian Knox as his Deputy, and then appointed Illustrious Companion Ian Johnson, previously the District Recorder, to be his Principal Conductor of the Work.

Silver Trowel certificates were then presented to six Companions and the Grand Master accompanied the District Grand Master to congratulate the recipients.

The Grand Master went on to congratulate those Companions of the District who were appointed or promoted in Grand Council in April but not yet invested due to the meeting being a shorter, business type meeting, due to the Anniversary meeting being held later this year in October.

Prior to the District Grand Master delivering his address to the Companions the Grand Master spoke to all the Companions present.

Following the addresses, the Grand Master retired inviting the Heads of Orders present, three Craft ProvGM’s, an Inspector General Rose Croix and the Prefect for the K.B.H.C., to accompany him, plus the Past Deputy Grand Master. (There was also a Grand Superintendent, Royal Arch, present but he was required in the outgoing District procession.)

Following the close of the meeting all retired to the bar for liquid refreshment followed by lunch.

The District Grand Master during his toast the Grand Master presented him with a bottle of locally distilled Gin, a porkpie from Melton Mowbray and two pieces of cheese, one being a piece of Stilton, all being produced within the District.

On Thursday 2 February at Mark Masons Hall two more Companions from the East Midlands District received the Excellent Master degree.  The Degree which is only conferred by Grafton Council of Anointed Kings No 16 performs the ceremony twice a year in February and November.  The two Companions who received the degree this time were Ill Companion Ian Johnson, District Grand Recorder, of Leicester Council and Illustrious Companion Chris Beck of Northampton Council.

On Wednesday 25 January, the Provincial Grand Master and Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of the Province of Bedfordshire, Right Worshipful Brother Anthony P Henderson joined the Royal & Select Masters Order at Dunstable.

The Charles Herbert Perram Council meets at Dunstable three times a year and is the only unit in the Order that meets in Bedfordshire.

On the evening there were 48 members of the Order in attendance to welcome the new Companion to the Order.

Companions had travelled from all over the District which covers three Craft masonic Provinces (Bedfordshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire).  To witness the ceremony, the District Grand Master, Deputy District Grand Master and the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work were present escorted by the District Grand Director of Ceremonies.  Also present was the Grand Standard Bearer, Ill Comp Jeff Chambers and a Grand Manciple, Illustrious Companion Mark Constant.

There were six Heads of Orders attending along with four Past Heads, pictured above.  (LtoR Martin Wilson DistGM, Graham Dearing MEGS Bucks, Julian Townsend MEGS Nottinghamshire, Barrie Hall Past PGM Northants & Hunts, Jim Field Past GSupt KTP Essex, Nick Edwards Inspector General Rose Croix Beds & Herts, Paul Gower PPGM Herts, Mike Jolley PDistGM, Mark Constant PGM Northants & Hunts, Tony Henderson PGM/MEGS Beds)

There were also four members of the Craft / Royal Arch Executive from Bedfordshire in attendance (LtoR Bob Curson DepGSupt, Martin Wilson 2ndPrGPrin, Tony Henderson PGM/MEGS, Clive Walsh DepPGM, Tony Green PrGSec)

Companion Tony Henderson undertook two of the four degrees in the evening, Select Master and Royal Master.  The perambulations in the Royal Master were undertaken by Ill. Comp. Nick Edawards, P.Dep.G.D.C. and the history in both degrees was shared amongst seven different companions.

After the formalities were over the Companions adjourned to the bar and being as it was Burns night started the meal in traditional form with haggis.

On a frosty bleak midwinter Sunday afternoon in Stoke Bruerne, Rt. Illustrious Companion Martin Wilson – District Grand Master for the East Midlands welcomed companions, friends and families to a special Christmas luncheon where everyone was treated to a fantastic traditional Christmas dinner accompanied of course by crackers and several rounds of competitive carol singing!

A special guest was also in the midst – that being the Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire – Right Worshipful Brother Anthony Henderson who had a thoroughly enjoyable time.