Good morning brethren and welcome.

I thank you all for being with us here today, it is a big day for us in London – a change of Deputy heralds another step forward in our District history.  I have already said thank you to Steve for his work to date – and that is heartfelt – thank you Steve and let me say again welcome to Scott -  I know you will work hard but enjoy your time as Deputy – always enjoy what you do.

It is an enormous privilege for me to hold the office of District Grand Prefect for London, we are a wonderful, vibrant, sociable and happy group, our numbers are rising and our councils are in good health.  We could all do with more candidates,  of course, but we have many and varied plans to continue that quest.

Before I go too much further, I must thank those who make such an effort to ensure that everything in our District goes smoothly and efficiently.

Welcome to our new District Grand Secretary - Richard Criddle, you have worked very hard to make today so successful.  Thank you.

Roger Keys our District DC who has such a busy year with visits and ensuring that today is a success – nearly there Roger!!!!

Our District Treasurer – John Baker, thank you for your hard work and support through the year.

To Dougie Black who has enhanced our meeting with music – I appreciate your support Dougie and to Mark Corcoran our Tyler who has given this District much help and support during the year. thank you. 

To Stephen Schofield who ably organises and manages our Official visits and to all those who come along to support our visits even though they have moved on from being Active District Officers, this is most heartening – thank you.

Finally, our secretaries, who keep our Councils running well and effectively, thank you for your time and effort, it is much appreciated.  Thank you.

Let me not forget those who manage our Social Media and the virtual LofI – Steve Roberts, many thanks.

Our District is strong and thriving, but we must not be complacent, and we must take every opportunity to attract Mark Master Masons to come and join us and enjoy the special qualities and companionship that we have in Allied Masonry. Some of our new members are with us today. Enjoy your allied Masonry with us in London.

We have had success at Grand Rank as well, 9 this year……

Pierre Doumit appointed to Grand Steward – here today proudly wearing your Chain

Vincent Driver promoted to PGSD and

Roger Keys promoted to PGJD.

First Appointments for –

Barrie Goulding, Paul Nash & Graham Thorn as Past Grand Standard Bearer.

Roger Cogan, Reverend Chris Damp & Terry Gilbert as Past Grand Inner Guard 

Congratulations to them and all those across the Order who have been so honoured.

And the good times do not stop there  -

• Our social events continue – except for last week when a threatened train strike forced us to cancel, we will rearrange our visit to the new museum of London and dinner afterwards.
• We held our annual dinner for Secretaries and Treasurers.
• And we enjoyed a jovial dinner for new members which I always find very enjoyable and instructive – it is interesting to hear why members join and what they expect to get out of it, it definitely influences how we chart the course of the district.
• Following on from my news of last year regarding a new Council in London our papers are with the Grand Secretary, it has been approved with the number 286 and the name of Universal Council, we now await dates and other details, but I can tell you it will be late February or early March 2025. This is all very exciting and Universal Council will be a wonderful addition to our District

Finally, let me say a huge thank you to the members from London and our guests who have joined with me today, in such good numbers, to celebrate our wonderful Order and its strength and prosperity. In a few weeks it will be December and the Christmas season will be here again I wish you and your families, most especially at this time, all good wishes, good health and much happiness.

May the Great disposer of all bless you and keep you well.