Province of Wessex Annual Assembly 2015 – Secretary’s Report Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Distinguished Brethren and Brethren:- This, as is my custom, will not be lengthy. I am, as you are aware retiring from this office after three years, not because this seems to be the norm within this Order but because my successor W.Bro. Ken Willies was the original choice of the Provincial Grand Master to succeed V.W.Bro. Brian Wright when he was promoted to Deputy Provincial Grand Master but W.Bro. Ken’s eyesight suddenly deteriorated and he so advised the Province. It was then that I was asked to fulfil the duties until the Provincial Grand Master could get to know the members of the Province sufficiently well to select a successor. So, he and the Provincial executive were delighted when W.Bro. Ken advised me that his sight had not deteriorated to the extent prophesied and he was capable, if so required, of carrying out the duties as necessitated within the office of Provincial Grand Secretary. I congratulate him on his appointment expressing the hope that he will enjoy the office and its duties as much as I have. And enjoy it I have! The three years have flown by as they do at my age. During the period I have been most fortunate and privileged, and I do not use the word lightly, to visit all the Courts for most, if not all, of their meetings. My diaries indicate that during the three years I have failed to attend seven of the sixty meetings. The welcomes I have received have been most gratifying and I thank all the members of all the Courts for the warmth of the welcomes and the courtesies extended during every visit. It is my intention to continue visiting as long as my health and age will permit as it is far too enjoyable to relinquish without a struggle. Whilst assuring my successor of my help and assistance should he need it I am now in a position where I can advise him of the needs of the Court secretaries and Grand Court plus the idiosyncrasies of the latter plus perhaps the idiosyncrasies of the former as well! I am greatly indebted to all my fellow secretaries both present and past. These include the Court secretaries, those of other provinces and those various members of Grand Court with whom it is necessary that I communicate such as the Grand Registrar V.W.Bro. Tony Burke,

and the Grand Secretary V.W.Bro. Mike Eckley who s present today. I shall certainly miss the banter but also, when required, their sound and invaluable advice. It would be remiss of me not to thank those members of the Provincial Executive and the friendship of their ladies. Brethren, without their assistance my secretarial life would have been much more difficult. I stress, not for the first time, that they are volunteers, serving their fellows out of generosity of spirit. A principal reason for those subscriptions we pay to Provincial and Grand Courts; being so low. The duties and responsibilities are usually enjoyable but, as we all, know and appreciate, they can at times be arduous and sometimes even irritating to our partners. Whilst is not usual to refer to any brother by name there are two brethren, presently acting as secretaries, whom I must particularly thank - Worshipful Brothers Barry Chalkley and David Attwater who both stepped in when the secretaries of their Courts resigned. My personal thanks plus those of the Province and the Courts are extended. I am conscious that there will have been occasions that; despatching my duties as provincial secretary; I often intrude into your personal and private time so I request you to thank the ladies for so permitting. I reiterate my comment last year that I am aware that many – probably most - of my requests will have appeared to be pedantic and nit-picking but that is because Grand Court insist that I operate within … not only the Statutes of the Order … but the secretarial handbook! This will apply to my successor and his! Finally Provincial Grand Master I must reiterate some of my words from last year and thank you Sir for the trust you have placed in me and the considerable latitude you permitted throughout the past three years. I have enjoyed working with you on behalf of the Province and this splendid Order and my further thanks, once again, to you and your Deputy for your company during the numerous visits we have made to other parts of the country. In discharging the duties necessary to the office of Provincial Grand Secretary I trust that I have served to your satisfaction and not failed the Province, the Order, or any Brother with whom I have needed to work. W.Bro. Mervyn S Western, KSM, Grand High Almoner Provincial Grand Secretary