DGP’s Address to District Grand Council – 21st November 2015
Distinguished guests, brethren all, I have already made so many ‘welcomes’ here but let me, once again welcome you all to our District Meeting. I do appreciate the support you have all given by making the effort to be here today, our numbers are up this year, again, and it certainly enhances any meeting to have good numbers.
It continues, for me, to be an enormous privilege to hold the office of District Grand Prefect for London and I am 
conscious of this every time that I visit a council or when I represent you in other Districts. Between Steven, myself and the Wardens of the year we have visited every Council in the District and on every occasion we have been met with all we would expect from this Order – good Companionship, well worked ceremonies and an enthusiasm and commitment to the Allied Masonic Degrees.
I shall still attend Councils over and above the Full Team visits, just to enjoy myself.
Before I go any further I must thank those who make such an effort to ensure that everything in our District goes smoothly and efficiently.
My hardworking District Grand Secretary Ben Dykes who has stepped down today only to take on other duties in another (lesser) Order and who I had the pleasure of Appointing our Junior Warden for the year. Ben thank you for your hard work and commitment over the last 5 years, I do appreciate it and I look forward to working with you during the coming year. A warm welcome to Peter Warner who has taken over the role.
Philip Freedman, our Director of Ceremonies, our Deputy DC David Morris and our Assistant DC – Matthew Hampson and all those who have accompanied me on the Full Team visits.
Let me not forget our equally hardworking Treasurer Doug Hopton who has once again kept us on the right side of the Accounting line, to John Gilbert who enhances our meeting with music and to Abie Obadiah who has guarded our door and generally looked after me throughout the year – thank you.
Finally, our Secretaries, who keep our Councils alive and running, thank you for your time and effort, it is very much appreciated.
We have, unfortunately, lost some members this year, 2 have passed to the Grand Council above, all losses are keenly felt by us, it is to their memory that we continue to build, enjoy and develop our Allied Masonry.
Last year I reported how we had developed an effective website, and well followed Face Book and Twitter accounts and that these were not an end in themselves but were to be the basis of a planned and sustained strategy which would allow us to recruit, retain and together – to enjoy our Allied Masonry in London.
Last year I reported that the plan had allowed us to welcome 10 new members to London, this year that figure is 28. In the last week 2 have joined Council of the Four Kings and 4 Joined metropolitan A. This is great news and I am so pleased, my grateful thanks go to the Communication Team led by Scott Cargill who I had the pleasure of Appointing Deputy District Secretary today and to his team – Scott Dunn, Julian Trought and John Payne. The plan will continue and we will engage with our Mark Lodges and encourage members to join us in our Councils.
We are also encouraging and helping Councils to maintain high standards both in ritual and administration, this will help with retention.
On the social side, we took a table at Surrey AMD’s Hog Roast earlier this year and we shall return next year. Two weeks ago we held our first District Lunch, 40 of us were hosted at the Guild Hall in the City by Alex Bain-Stewart, he treated us to a very interesting tour of the building and then a marvellous lunch, which was great fun and enjoyed by everyone. A full report is on the Website… Thank you Alex.
Such was the success that we immediately decided to repeat the exercise and will organise more lunches – all with a different theme but with a constant - of bringing us together with wives, partners friends and family to enjoy each others company.
And there is more - today, you will all receive a District Directory, it is excellent and full of all the information you will need. No charge – it is part of our plan. My thanks to Scott Dunn who has produced it for us.
The team will again be taking photos during the meeting and Festive Board today and those pictures and my address here will be on the website before we leave the building – thank you chaps.
We have had other successes; members of the District have also been Promoted and Appointed to Grand Rank –
Albert Light and Gordon Trew on First Appointment, both received Past Grand Standard Bearer.
David Alexander, who has been a real friend and mentor to me, has been promoted to Past Grand Junior Deacon as has Russell Stephenson who works so hard at Rose & Lily. Patrick Jaillet, who has been such a good friend for so many years, has promotion to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
To these brethren – well done, and I am sure you will join me in congratulating them.
To my Officers of the year whom I have had the pleasure to invest and promote today – congratulations. Your appointment has been based upon merit and service to the District. I hope that you enjoy your year in Office and that you can support the three Full Team visits which are planned for this year – dates will be announced very shortly and will be found on the website. Of course, you are all welcome to join with us at any of our visits and, as an enhancement, this year I can announce that we are sending an open invitation for any Past District Officer to also join us on Team visits. So many have told us that they enjoyed the visits when in Office and as the year does tend to fly by they would miss them, all are welcome.
My aim continues to be to serve you, the District and the Order by continuing to increase both membership and the happiness of our members. I have made the point before, I cannot do that alone, I need the support of my Officers for this year and all of you – only together, with sustained shared endeavour, can we achieve our goal.
In a few weeks it will be December and the Christmas season will be upon us, I wish you and your families all good wishes, health and happiness at this time of year.
May the Great Disposer of all Bless and protect you all.
