The Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Surrey took place on Saturday the 21st of March at the Croydon and District Masonic Hall, Croydon. From 9.30 am the Brethren of the Province and their guests started arriving for coffee and bacon butties while the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team were busy rehearsing. It was good to catch up with old friends from the Province of Surrey and the other Provinces.
The Meeting
The meeting was called to order by W.Bro. Les Smith, P.G.J.D., the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, to receive the Provincial Officers of the year accompanying the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, led by the Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and followed by the Provincial Grand Standard Bearer.
Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form by the Provincial Grand Master, who after a tribute was given in memory of departed Brethren, welcomed the distinguished guests of the Province and expressed his hope that all our guests would enjoy the hospitality of the Province.
Welcoming Newly Advanced Brethren
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master welcomed 11 newly advanced brethren who were presented with a special lapel pin and a drinks voucher.
The Travelling Keystone
The Travelling Keystone was brought into Provincial Grand Lodge and was presented to the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. He commented that the Travelling Keystone had been prepared as an initiative to encourage visiting and promote the exchange of goodwill and fellowship between Lodges in the Province.
New Appointments
Deputy Provincial Grand Master
The Provincial Grand Master announced the appointment of W.Bro. John R Massey, P.G.J.D., as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Brethren retired in procession and re-entered the Lodge and introduced the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Designate.
The Provincial Grand Master called upon the Provincial Grand Secretary to read the Patent of Appointment and then addressed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Designate on the nature of his duties and the qualifications for the office. After the Provincial Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Designate took his Obligation and was invested and installed in the Chair by the Provincial Grand Master. W.Bro. John Massey was then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Assistant Provincial Grand Masters
The Provincial Grand Master announced the appointment of W.Bro. Paul A Wicking, P.G.J.D., and V.W.Bro. Stephen J Berkshire, P.G.J.O., as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.
The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Brethren retired in procession, re-entered the Lodge and introduced the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Designate. The Provincial Grand Master called upon the Provincial Grand Secretary to read the Patents of Appointment and then addressed the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Designate on the nature of their duties and the qualifications for the office.
After the Provincial Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer, the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Designate took their Obligation and were invested and installed by the Provincial Grand Master. W.Bro. Paul Wicking and V.W.Bro. Stephen Berkshire were then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The Provincial Grand Master’s Address
The Provincial Grand Master addressed Provincial Grand Lodge, reflecting on the values that define Surrey Mark Masonry and looking ahead to the future of the Province.
Read the Provincial Grand Master's Address in full
Brethren,
It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today as your Provincial Grand Master and to represent the Province of Surrey. I remain deeply proud to serve such a committed, supportive, and forward-looking body of brethren.
I extend a very warm welcome to our honoured guests and official visitors. Many of you have travelled considerable distances to be with us, and I thank you sincerely for your continued friendship, support, and the generous hospitality you extend to our Executive when we visit your Provinces. I trust you will enjoy both our meeting and the fellowship that follows.
As we gather for our Annual General Meeting, it is right that we reflect not only on the past year but also on the values that define us as Mark Master Masons. Ours is a Degree that is unique — practical in its lessons, warm in its friendships, and deeply rooted in care for one another. It is this combination that makes Mark Masonry not only different, but truly special.
My sincere thanks go to each and every one of you. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment ensure that our Province continues to thrive — through our Lodge meetings, our charitable endeavours, and the strength of the friendships we share.
A key focus for us all must remain retention and recruitment. We must ensure that every brother finds enjoyment, fulfilment, and purpose within our Order, while also encouraging like-minded brethren to join us. A strong and engaged membership is the foundation upon which our future depends. I commend those Lodges that are flourishing, and I encourage any who may need support to work closely with their Visiting Officers so that, together, we can find solutions and move forward with confidence.
Equally important is the care we show for one another. Brotherly love is not simply a principle we speak about — it is something we must actively demonstrate. Whether through support in difficult times, a kind word, or simply maintaining contact, we must ensure that no brother, or his family, ever feels forgotten. This spirit of care remains the true strength of our Order.
I offer my warmest congratulations to those brethren appointed or promoted to Provincial Office today, particularly those taking active office. I hope you will embrace your year with enthusiasm, support the Executive in their visits, and take every opportunity to contribute to the life of the Province. At the same time, I extend my sincere thanks to those standing down from office for their loyal and valued service.
I would also like to place on record my heartfelt thanks to VW Bro Billy Barr and VW Bro Bill Caughie for their outstanding dedication and passionate support over many years. While they may be stepping back from their formal roles, I have no doubt that their wisdom and experience will remain available to us — perhaps best described as a well-earned semi-retirement.
Looking ahead, I am delighted to welcome VW Bro John Massey as our new Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and W Bro Paul Wicking and VW Bro Steve Berkshire as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. I have every confidence that, together with the Executive team, they will play a vital role in guiding the Province forward in the years ahead.
Events such as today’s meeting do not happen by chance. They are the result of significant effort behind the scenes. My grateful thanks go to W Bro David Clark and his team for their organisation, and to our Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Les Smith, and his team, for ensuring the smooth and dignified conduct of our proceedings. I also thank the members of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge for their continued and valued support.
My appreciation also extends to our Visiting Officers, whose work in supporting Lodges is invaluable, and to every member of the Executive Committee for their dedication and service to the Province.
Brethren, we look ahead to an exciting year, with many opportunities to strengthen our bonds, welcome new members, and enjoy our Masonry together. I encourage you all to take part, to support one another, and to promote the Mark Degree with pride and enthusiasm.
Let us also never lose sight of the importance of enjoyment. While our principles are serious and our traditions meaningful, our friendships and shared experiences should always bring us happiness. A strong and happy Province is, without question, a successful one.
Brethren, it is a great honour and privilege to serve you. I thank you for your continued commitment, your friendship, and your support. I look forward with confidence to the future as we continue to build a strong, caring, and vibrant Province together.
May the Great Overseer of the Universe bless and keep you all.
R. W. Bro. John V. C. French, Provincial Grand Master
Following his Address, the Provincial Grand Master had much pleasure in presenting W.Bro. Ian Small, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, with a donation of £5,000 towards their 2026 MBF Festival. W.Bro. Ian thanked the Provincial Grand Master and the Brethren of Surrey for their generous donation.
The meeting was called to order and closed in due form.
Procession and Reception
The Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, together with members of the Past Executive, honoured guests and Provincial Officers then left the Temple in procession to the echoing strains of Land of Hope and Glory played by W.Bro. Bob Soper, Prov.G.Org.
The members of the Provincial Executive greeted our Honoured Guests as they retired from Provincial Grand Lodge. The Brethren of the Mark Province of Surrey and their guests then retired to the bar.
The Festive Board
After refreshments the Brethren of the Province of Surrey and their guests dined together in peace and harmony.
After the meal the Provincial Grand Master presented the Travelling Keystone to Rose Lodge as the Lodge with the highest percentage of members at the festive board.
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. John Massey, proposed the Toast to the Provincial Grand Master and presented him with a gift of a road atlas, as it seems the sat nav on his Tesla leads R.W.Bro. John French in the wrong direction!
The Provincial Grand Master thanked W.Bro. John and all the Brethren present and then proposed the Toast to the Visitors. He especially welcomed R.W.Bro. Nick Burger, Provincial Grand Master of the Craft Province of Surrey, and invited him to step forward to receive a donation of £2,000 to his 2030 Festival. R.W.Bro. Nick thanked the Provincial Grand Master and the Brethren of Surrey for their generous donation.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, and other distinguished Brethren then retired from the Festive Board.