DGP’s Address to District Grand Council
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, yet 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 widely across 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 Peter Warner who has worked very hard to make today a successful, 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.
Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are very active as is our Website – all of which continue to be well maintained and fulfil their function of forming the basis of our communication strategy across the District. All three elements have been crucial in keeping members aware of news and events and in supporting our plan to increase membership.
We have our own cadre of photographers –
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.
Last year I reported that our recruitment plan had allowed us to welcome 28 new members to London, this year that figure is 27, indeed 9 have joined since September. This is great news and I am so pleased, my grateful thanks go to the Communication Team led by Scott Cargill our Deputy District Secretary today and to his team – Richard Criddle, Julian Trought, and John Payne. The plan will continue.
In January (19th) we shall be holding an Awareness evening for members of the Mark Degree and from the Young Craft Masons Groups in London. We have invited 50 so far and anticipate a strong interest in our Order.
Such has been our success that our big news is that we have made application for London to have a new Council. I have said for five years that there was no call for a new Council but our remarkable growth in members means that we do not have any weak Councils and the proposal for a new unit, to meet on Saturday mornings and to cater for younger, working brethren has come at the right time. It is a wonderful opportunity for us and has been really well supported with 31 Founders and more importantly 12new members in the wings.. It is to be called The Goose & Gridiron Council, which for all sorts of obvious reasons is quite apposite.
We shall have our Secretaries and Treasurers Mess again next year on 20th July and we shall repeat our New Members Dinner again on 11th July, it was very successful this year, a good meal and much good conversation.
On the social side -
We will continue the theme of our District lunches during the year, the next one is 26th April, and these have proved very successful with great enthusiasm and support shown by our wives and partners.
We have had other successes; members of the District have been Promoted and Appointed to Grand Rank –
Mark Corcoran, David Picton and Peter Warner on First Appointment, received Past Grand Standard Bearer. Alex Bain Stewart and Ivor Cook also on First Appointment received Past Grand Inner Guard.
David Stower and Doug Taylor, our hard working Treasurer, were promoted to Past Grand Junior Deacon and my Deputy Steven Warwick was promoted to Past Grand Registrar.
Finally, but by no means last – John Keys from Met A was promoted to Past Grand Junior Warden; my fellow District Grand Prefects from Anglia and Essex where John also practices his Allied Masonry supported this application. Thank you for that. This award gave me so much pleasure because John has been a great supporter of Allied masonry in London, he has been our District DC and a great source of support and inspiration to me – well done John I know that you are very pleased to be so recognised.
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. 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. You can see from my report here that we are making good progress against that aspiration.
I make the point every year that I cannot do that alone, I need the support of my Officers for this year and all of you – only together, with shared enthusiasm and commitment can we achieve that 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, good health and much happiness at this time of year.
May the Great Disposer of all Bless and protect you all.