Tuesday 12th November 2024 saw the consecration of our new court in Herefordshire, the Court of Harold Godwinson No. 99, who is more commonly known as King Harold II (of Hastings). The name of the Court being particularly pertinent to Herefordshire and the Province of Wessex in that at various times Harold was both Earl of Hereford and Earl of Wessex. The Consecration Officer was our Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro Keith R D Waters, who had been given special permission by the M W Grand Master to perform the ceremony.
The first step in the consecration was the Instruction of 11 of the 16 Unique Founders at Tewkesbury on Thursday 7th November, where the Provincial Grand Master for Wessex, R W Bro Keith R D Waters, opened Provincial Grand Court immediately following the meeting of Theocsbury Court, all offices being filled by the current active Provincial Grand Officers with the exception of the Provincial Grand Guard which was occupied by W Bro Graeme Clark, the current Worshipful Master of Bricgstowe Court.
The Consecration Meeting on 12th November was preceded by the Instruction of another of the Unique Founders, Bro Brian Morris. Again, the Provincial team performed the ceremony and, having been instructed into the Order, Bro Brian was able to join his fellow Uniques in the consecration ceremony and was later appointed Captain of the Guards! Rapid promotion indeed.
With 28 Founders from numerous Craft Provinces, including Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Somerset, Bristol, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Monmouthshire, Shropshire and South Wales, this promises to be a truly cosmopolitan Court. Its Primus Master is R W Bro John Evans JP, a South Wales craft mason, the Provincial Grand Master for the Athelstan Province of Magonsaetan.
The whole ceremony took place in the delightful setting of The Paddocks Hotel in Symonds Yat near to Ross on Wye, in Herefordshire. With over 60 Athelstan masons in attendance, including visitors from as far afield as Kent and Sussex, it was a joyous occasion, the whole evening being rounded off by a sumptuous meal served by the very friendly and welcoming staff of the hotel.
Consecration Lecture by the Provincial Eminent Grand Prior, W & Em Bro Peter Hartland >>>>