The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro James Ross presented The Deputy Grand Chaplain and Assistant Provincial Grand Master for South Wales, W Bro Rev'd Cannon Huw Mosford with a donation for St Elli Church in Llanelli,

as a thank you for hosting the recent West Wales Church Service.

Extract from the PGM's Address

Brethren, today marks the end of my third year as your Provincial Grand Master. Whilst it has been challenging at times over the last three years, it has been exciting and enormously rewarding.

It is a delight to have been able to welcome so many honoured guests from other Provinces and other Orders today, but there is no doubt that the most important person in the room today is you, and I do mean you.

Every person in this room today has their part to play in enhancing our reputation as a force for good in our communities and society at large. A thriving and expanding organisation that people aspire to join. We must build strong foundations on our core values of integrity, respect, friendship, and charity. Reinforce the fun and social side of our freemasonry, so that we can broaden our membership amongst all age groups. Freemasonry does exactly what it says on the tin.

“We are a unique members’ organisation which has thrived for over 300 years. Having no political or religious affiliations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds. We have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfil our civic and charitable responsibilities; we also make time to meet, eat, drink, and form lifelong friendships.”

Brethren, surely everyone who qualifies would gain from the wonderful benefits freemasonry has to offer. All we need to do is sing our own praises to everyone who will listen.

We are all responsible for attracting new members and engaging with our existing friends. The good news is that we already have all the tools we need at our disposal. Our very efficient Membership Officer, W Bro Steve Fearn, ably assisted by the Provincial Grand Mentor, W Bro Chris Harding have been rolling out the various Pathway documents and encouraging everyone to get involved with Solomon. They are available to come to your lodge and assist you to understand what makes your lodge special and unique. To help you formulate your plan to attract new members to your lodge. Equally importantly to engage with your existing membership and your communities. Thriving lodges which are actively engaged in their communities should be the focus of all our attention.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who I have appointed and promoted in Provincial Grand Lodge today. Your preferment recognises the wonderful work you have already done in your lodges, but it is also meant to inspire you to greater things in the future.

I congratulate the outgoing acting team on a wonderful time in office. I have enjoyed your company and I look forward to a time in the future when you serve on the acting team again.

I congratulate those brethren who had appointments and promotions in the United Grand Lodge of England. VW Bro Ryland James was promoted to Past Grand Sword Bearer, W Bro Mike Eckley was promoted to Past Senior Grand Deacon, W Bro, Rev’d Aled Lewis was appointed to the acting rank of Assistant Grand Chaplain, W Bro John Everett was promoted to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and finally W Bro Chris Harding received a first appointment to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. These Brethren have served the province for many years, and I very much look forward to working with them in the years to come.

Brethren, as things return to normal, we can be very proud of everything we achieved during the pandemic, and we can look to a bright future.

• Hermes, the new administrative system for lodge secretaries and chapter scribes ezra will roll out in July. I am sure that the new unified and streamlined system will make everyone’s life much easier.
• There will be further National Digital Marketing Campaigns to assist us in attracting new members.
• We have been working hard to achieve our targets for the 2026 Festival, but the targets are very tough, and we need to continue to work hard, especially in the current difficult economic climate.

Brethren, I enjoy a challenge and I know with your assistance we can deliver in all these areas and have some fun along the way too.

Finally, brethren, on behalf of us all, I would like to thank those brethren who have put in so much work to make today’s meetings so successful. The Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro Tony Trumper and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Gareth Owen and their teams have worked closely together on the meetings themselves. I also pay tribute to W Bro Dave Smith and the brethren of Peterwell Lodge who have been enormously helpful and have given their time freely to assist in the set up of the room today and also the volunteers from the Mackworth Club who have performed various roles during the day.

In conclusion Brethren, I would like to thank you all once again for attending today and I thank you in advance for your support and enthusiasm, as freemasonry heads towards a bright and exciting future.