The Provincial Grand Master of Wessex, ADDRESS Brethren I wish to thank you all for attending here today, this the 8th Annual Assembly of the Province of Wessex – I am acutely aware of several competing meetings today, including Provincial Meetings, which has caused something of a dilemma for those who have commitments in office or receiving honours in in other Orders, and would otherwise have been here today. I plan to look at a possible change of date for next year’s Annual Assembly. I have already welcomed our distinguished guests, a special delight to have their company today, and I now wish to extend my thanks to the individual Courts and the members for your welcome and hospitality given to me and my Deputy since my Installation in December last year. It has been a busy but satisfying 5 months since my Installation, which was preceded by the impressive Cyningston 10/90 celebrations at Kingston on 7 November. Those of you who were able to attend will be aware how special this occasion was. I am delighted to witness the commitment and hard work demonstrated by all the Courts in introducing the new ritual, and particularly the standards achieved – the Ceremonies have been a pleasure to see. My Deputy, Keith Waters, my Provincial Grand Secretary, Barry Chalkley, and I have visited all Courts in the Province since December and it is my intention to repeat this exercise over the next few months. The family of the Wessex is my prime concern and I hope that you are all aware that I and my team aim to be approachable and are all happy to discuss any issues or concerns. At the last Provincial Assembly, mention was made of considerations given for a new Court in the Province, and the initial work in this respect undertaken by W. Bro. Mervyn Western. To build on W. Bro. Mervyn’s arrangements, I have asked my Deputy to continue this work and we have hopes of being able to give you further details of the progress in this area before the end of the year. We have a number of enthusiastic members on board to take this forward, without detriment to the existing Courts – however there are protocols to be followed before I can give further details. My congratulations to all those officers that I have had the pleasure to appoint or reappoint today, and I hope that you will derive much satisfaction from your ranks and the support to the Province. Here I would like to extend my thanks to the Officers for the last year who have been most helpful and supportive. I wish to give my personal thanks to my executive team for their support and commitment in what has been a busy time. My Deputy, Keith Waters, for his company and wise counsel My Eminent Prior, Mike Williams for his sincere and comfortable approach to his position. My Provincial Grand Secretary, Barry Chalkley for the extensive work undertaken, and keeping me fully informed with progress – Barry I sincerely hope that your load will now be much reduced following this first meeting – but again my sincere thanks. Brethren, a meeting such as today does not just happen, much work is undertaken behind the scenes. My Provincial Grand Treasurer, Mike Daniels, for his eye for detail and ensuring that all is well on the financial front. My Provincial GDC, Craig Cox, for his eye for detail and supporting me on my official visits, and for today’s ceremonial. I should like to finish by saying that I am extremely proud to be your PGM and I look forward to our future meetings in your company. I wish you all well. Roger Freeman PGM