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I have now come to the end of my first Masonic season as the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire, and I have to look back at my diary to try and work out where all the time has gone. This last happened when I was Master of my mother lodge in 1979-1980, and I well remember that, before I knew it, I was installing my successor.

There were two significant highlights during the month.

The first highlight was undoubtedly the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, held on 11 May. We planned and managed the day as efficiently and effectively as possible, which meant that rehearsals only began in the afternoon, thereby avoiding any commitment in the morning and also not having lunch. The meeting began at 3.30 pm and ended at 6.00 pm, meaning that, in just two-and-a-half-hours, we had completed all our many items of business and, more importantly, I had invested nearly 300 celebrants. That said, we will continue to review our practice and procedure so as to produce the best possible result.

I have to say that, in my first year, the investiture of Brethren and Companions, who had been appointed and promoted in Provincial Grand Lodge and in Provincial Grand Chapter, has been very special and satisfying to me. Indeed, I felt an empathy with each celebrant and I have come to realise, even more, how very important the investiture is to both the celebrants, to the Province and to me. I decided to invest every brother and every companion with his own collar because I felt that it added that all important and personal dimension to the honour.

The second highlight was the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity Annual Festival, held at Southport on 9 May. My wife and I have attended all the Festivals and we both felt that this year’s Festival was one of the best. The event promotes so much joy and pleasure to so many and, indeed, in response to the most entertaining tribute band ‘The Overtures’, Julie and I joined the many who danced the evening away. At the end, it was as if no one wanted to go home. The Festival has achieved an infectious formula, and this was so brilliantly demonstrated at the outset by the versatile and talented Gary Livini and his violin. And……it raises much for charity in the process.

The month of May has been a busy month for me, but, as always, I have been ably supported by Geoffrey Lee, the Provincial Grand Secretary, and his team. In particular, the five-year rolling plan for the Province has now been signed off and circulated, and it will soon be posted on our Provincial Website. Importantly, I have appointed John Wingfield as the Provincial Membership Officer and Derek Hunt as the Provincial Publicity Officer. They and their respective teams will play very important roles in helping to promote and develop our Freemasonry. Lastly, I have re-visited the subject of mentoring, realising that it is no good promoting and developing our Freemasonry if we do not retain our candidates. I have plans for our mentoring programme, which I will announce in the coming Masonic season.

I look upon the months of June, July and August as a period of rest and recovery, as we recharge our batteries for the next Masonic season. Although, this will be my approach, many of the Brethren will be working hard to prepare for and run the Provincial Clay Pigeon Shooting National Competition, the Provincial Bowling Finals and the Provincial Golf Finals. My next diary will appear at the end of September, when I will undoubtedly wish to comment upon these important events.

It is important that you all summer well and then come back next season with enthusiasm and vigour. I send you all my best wishes.

Peter Hosker