The Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Conclave of Essex, held on Saturday,

       1^st. October, 2005 at Freemasons’ Hall, Woodgrange Drive, Southend-on-Sea, Essex at 11. 00 a.m.

Those present are listed on the official attendance sheets together with the names and members of  their Conclaves.

The R. Wy. Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, R. Wy. Bro. Walter Hall accompanied by his Deputy, R. Wy. Bro.George J. Elliott and other
Distinguished guests entered in procession and passed under an Arch of Steel.

They were warmly applauded into the Conclave.
 

R. Wy.Bro. Walter Hall welcomed all present and opened Provincial Grand Conclave.

He was then saluted with Seven under the direction of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and this was duly acknowledged.

Wy. Bro. Ralph Allard, Prov.Grand Counsellor proposed that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday,

30th. June, 2004, having been circulated to all, should be approved.

This was seconded by Wy. Bro. John Pike, Prov.Grand Guide, put to the Brethren and unanimously agreed.

The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler agreed to sign them after the meeting.

The Secretary confirmed that, apart from two apologies for absence, all Provincial Grand Officers were present.

The Roll of the Conclaves was called and the Brethren stood as their respective Conclave was called.

R. Wy. Bro. George J. Elliott. P.G.G., Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then paid tributes to Brethren who had passed to
Higher Glories since the previous meeting.

These were :-

                        Wy. Bro. Joe Holdsworth,                  Edwin George Gregory White Conclave No. 428

                        Wy. Bro. Arnold Zimmerman,            Essex Quadrant Conclave No. 149

                        Wy. Bro. Geoffrey Simpson,              Britannic Conclave of Madeira No. 85

                        Bro. Keith Reekie,                                Britannic Conclave of Madeira No. 85
 

The Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then called Brethren to order as a mark of respect which was followed by the Brethren
singing the hymn ‘The day Thou gavest’.

Our Distinguished Guests were then introduced to the Brethren individually by the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler who
thanked them all for coming to our meeting especially those who had travelled long distances to attend. 

It was a very great honour for the Province that we should be graced by their presence.

V. Wy. Bro. Patrick Wilkins, P.G.Reg., Provincial Grand Treasurer, gave his report on the Statement of Accounts copies of
which had been circulated to all members of the Province. This showed that the Province is in very good shape financially.

He thanked Conclave Secretaries for the prompt manner in which Annual Returns are submitted and dues paid.

He reminded them to provide him with a copy of their Conclave Accounts when submitting their Annual Returns.

The Auditors V. Wy. Bro. Raymond Fretten and Wy. Bro. Geoffrey Jackson, having examined the books, Statement of Accounts and
Balance Sheets for the year ending 31st. December, 2004 confirmed they were correct and in excellent order.

R. Wy. Bro. George Elliott proposed that the accounts be adopted. Wy. Bro. Ralph Allard seconded the proposition which was
put to the Brethren and unanimously agreed.

A vote of thanks was given to our Treasurer for all his hard work in keeping the accounts in perfect order.

R. Wy. Bro. Walter Hall  then announced that V. Wy. Bro. Patrick Wilkins, P.G. Reg., was standing down as Provincial Grand Treasurer
after serving the Province for 15 years.

He thanked V. Wy. Bro. Patrick for his dedication and valuable contribution to the Province which was greatly appreciated.  

He then announced there was only one nomination for Provincial Grand Treasurer namely :- Wy. Bro. Wilfrid E. Horton, P.G.B.B.,
and declared him duly elected.

The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler announced  that there were two nominations for Auditors for the ensuing year namely

V. Wy. Bro. Raymond Fretten and Wy. Bro. Geoffrey Jackson and declared them duly elected.  

The Provincial Grand Recorder presented his report for the year.

The period since the last Provincial Meeting has seen progressive growth and strengthening of our Province with 21 new Inductees and
17 Joining Members during the past year. There were 17 resignations but these were mainly from members who had dual membership of
Conclaves within the Province.
 

The total number of Subscribing Members now stands at 330 which is a net increase of 5%

Every Conclave had been well supported by the Provincial Grand Officers throughout the year and all had received visits from
the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, his Deputy and / or the Provincial Team.
 

The Provincial Recorder thanked all Conclave Secretaries and Wy. Bro. Malvern Williams, Prov. Asst. G. Recorder, for their help and
support throughout the year which was greatly appreciated.

He also paid a tribute to members of the P. G. S. R’s Arch of Steel and announced that Bro Christopher Breeden had been
appointed Commander and Bro. Tom Bannister, Deputy Commander. Congratulations were also extended to Bro. Jonathan Wallis,
Secretary on his appointment as a member of the M. Wy. Grand Supreme Ruler’s Arch of Steel.                                                                                

 He reported on the Provincial Bereavement Fund which was launched in October 2001. This gives immediate financial support to widows,
or the person nominated, of departed Brethren. We currently have 48 members and Conclave Secretaries were requested to encourage Inductees
and Members to join the scheme by contacting  Wy. Bro. Graham Whitehead, Secretary for information and application forms.
 

The Provincial Grand Recorder concluded by saying he had received apologies from Provincial Grand Supreme Rulers, their Deputies
and Recorders who were unable to attend the meeting. All had sent greetings and best wishes to the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler and
Brethren for a happy and successful meeting and these would be passed to the P.G.S.R. after the meeting.

The Provincial Grand Guide, Wy. Bro. John Pike  presented his report to the meeting. He first thanked the four Provincial Grand Visitors who
had conscientiously carried out their duties so well by visiting all  Conclaves in the Province and duly submitting their reports.
These reflected the bond of friendship apparent in every Conclave.
 

He and all Provincial Grand Visitors had been warmly greeted and received a genuine and friendly welcome from members of Conclaves in the Province.
The ceremonies were carried out in a fine manner, well directed and controlled. The role of Visiting Deacons had shown an overall improvement since the issue of guidance notes from Provincial Office. Their reports were full and concise and obvious efforts had been made to contact the Brethren who did not reply to initial enquiries.
 

The use of ritual books during ceremonies was diminishing and many newer members were taking an active part in proceedings by
learning sections of the ritual and becoming more involved. He said that Senior Brethren and past Supreme Rulers could be
relied upon to stand in at short notice when appointed officers were unable to attend so that the Candidate, the most important person,
is afforded a memorable ceremony.
 

New members are joining at a steady rate, with encouraging prospects for the lower membership Conclaves.

He praised the Conclave Secretaries for their hard work and concluded by saying that the Order of the Secret Monitor continues
to provide and maintain the high ideals of Brotherly love and friendship. His report was received with acclaim and thanks.

R.Wy. Bro. Walter Hall then appointed and invested his Provincial Grand Officers for the  ensuing year.

The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then received the Commander and members of  the Arch of Steel and thanked them individually for
carrying out their duties throughout the year.

The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then addressed the meeting. He first thanked everyone for attending, especially the
Distinguished Guests for their ‘unstinting support’, many of whom had travelled long distances to be with us.

He congratulated all members of the Province who had received Provincial Grand Honours and looked forward to working
with and meeting them during the year, particularly at the Provincial Grand Officers Conclave which they were now eligible to join.

He then thanked Provincial Grand Officers of last year for their help and support since his Installation in June 2004.

He said the year had seen significant progress in the Province.

We had seen a good increase in new inductees and had grown our overall numbers in the year.

He was pleased that the paper issued to Visiting Deacons was ‘bearing fruit’ as this is an important feature of our Order.

Also the diminishing use of ritual books in our ceremonies.

The P.G.S.R. said that he intended to continue formal team visits by the Provincial Executive and their officers.

There will be two such visits in the current year.
 

We had also endeavoured to upgrade the importance of charitable giving in the Province and in addition to the Tsunami Appeal
have supported a Riding for the Disabled School near Chelmsford and the Hamilton Court Masonic Housing Association. Nominated
Charities for the ensuing year will be the Essex Air Ambulance and Essex Macmillan Nurses. All Conclaves were urged to support
these worthy causes. It is also intended to support the Craft 2011 Festival over the next six years.
 

He asked Conclave Secretaries to remind members of the benefits in joining the Bereavement Fund.

He then named and congratulated the thirteen members of the Province who had received Grand Conclave rank.

He paid tribute to V. Wy. Bro. Patrick Wilkins who was standing down after fifteen years as Treasurer and   Wy. Bro. Brian Wren
after seven years as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and thanked them on behalf of the Province for their loyal support.
 

In conclusion he thanked R. Wy. Bro. George Elliott, his Deputy and V. Wy. Bro. Gerald Colwell, Prov. Grand Recorder for
their help and assistance and members of the P.G.S.R’s Arch of Steel who accompanied him on all his official visits.

Pursuant to notice of motion on 30th. June, 2004 the Prov.Grand Recorder proposed that the Provincial By-laws as amended be
adopted. This was seconded by V. Wy. Bro. Patrick Wilkins, put to the Brethren and unanimously agreed.
 

Under ‘Any other business’ - V. Wy. Bro. Patrick Wilkins proposed that £250 be donated to the Hamilton Court Masonic Housing Association,
£250 to the Barrow Farm Riding for disabled and £250 to the Southend Masonic Centre Appeal Fund.

This was seconded by Wy. Bro. Geoffrey Jackson, put to the Brethren and unanimously approved.

Alms were collected and amounted to £156. 06.

Nothing more being offered for the good of the Order in general or the Essex Province in particular the Conclave was closed in
perfect harmony and with solemn prayer. The closing hymn and first verse of the National Anthem were sung after which the
Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, accompanied by his Deputy  and  Distinguished guests retired from the Conclave.

Signed............................................R. Wy. Bro. Walter Hall, Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler          Date.....................................