Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter took place at a sunny York Racecourse on Saturday 1 August 2026 - Yorkshire Day!

The well attended events (Provincial Grand Chapter in the morning followed by lunch, then Provincial Grand Lodge)  saw the investiture of the new Provincial teams as well as the presentation of the Kirwan Awards and  Festival 29 Update from the Freemason's Charity from W Bro Howard Wilson PSGD.

During the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, the annual Kirwan Awards for Outstanding Service to the Community were made. As previously communicated to all brethren,  Invictus Lodge won the Lodge/Chapter Award, with Ayton Lodge commended. The Individual Award went to W Bro Tony Wedlake, Old Guisborian Lodge, with W Bro Richard Godley, Lion Lodge, highly commended and W Bro Antony Wood, Sykes Lodge commended. In a new category of Lodges and Chapters Working Together, recipients were Wilberforce Lodge, Humber IM Lodge, Ridings Tablers Lodge, Constitutional Lodge, Beverlonian Lodge, Wilberforce Chapter, Ridings Tabler’s Chapter, Constitutional Chapter. Congratulations to all winners.

During the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge,
the RW Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren:

Brethren,

It is a great privilege to address you today at my first Provincial Grand Lodge as your Provincial Grand Master.

When I accepted this office, I spoke of building a Province that is open, supportive and forward-looking. Change in Freemasonry is never achieved overnight, but I am encouraged that, together, we are already laying strong foundations for the future.

I could hardly have wished for a more fitting occasion than Yorkshire Day. It is a celebration of pride, place and belonging, qualities that resonate deeply in Freemasonry. We are shaped by our Lodges, our friendships and our shared history, and as custodians of our traditions, we have both the privilege and the responsibility of passing them on stronger than we found them.

Brethren, before I continue, I extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished guests, who have travelled from neighbouring Provinces and from the many Orders represented here today. You have already been formally introduced by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and his Team, and I do not intend to repeat those introductions, but I do want you to know how much we value your presence, it is greatly appreciated. Your attendance is a mark of the friendship that exists between our Provinces and throughout our wider Masonic family, and I thank each of you for joining us on this special occasion.

I also extend a warm welcome to the Heads of the many other Masonic Orders represented here today. Those Orders draw their membership from Craft Freemasons, and we should never regard them as separate from us. A strong Craft strengthens the whole Masonic family, and we should continue to support and encourage one another.

Brethren of the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings, please join me in giving all our distinguished guests a warm and hearty Yorkshire North and East welcome.

The first few weeks of my term have been spent listening, learning and then acting. Today marks a fresh start, not change for its own sake, but a renewed approach built upon the excellent work already being undertaken throughout the Province. Every new beginning gives us the opportunity to ask whether what we do is clear, useful and proportionate, whether our Lodges feel supported, and whether we are making Freemasonry enjoyable, meaningful and sustainable for the future.

The themes I want us to carry forward are straightforward: practical improvement, renewed enjoyment, visible service and confidence in our future. I want a Province that is well governed but not weighed down, properly safeguarded but never joyless, respectful of tradition without becoming static, and serious in its values while remaining warm in its friendships.

Above all, we must remember that we are not simply here to do Freemasonry, we are here to be Freemasons. That is reflected not only in our ceremonies, but in the way we welcome visitors, mentor new Brethren, support struggling Lodges, care for those in need and speak positively about our Craft beyond our Lodge rooms.

Our Membership Challenge remains at the forefront of our work and, in many respects, it is the thread that runs through everything we do. Every improvement we make to governance, every effort to support our Lodge officers, every investment in mentoring, community engagement, enjoyable meetings and welcoming festive boards has the same purpose: to create a Province where Brethren want to remain, where former members might wish to return, and where good men will want to join us. Membership is not a separate initiative; it is the natural outcome of getting Freemasonry right.

If our Lodges are to thrive and our Membership Challenge is to succeed, Freemasonry must remain worthwhile, welcoming and enjoyable. If we become the Province we aspire to be, membership will follow. The future will not be secured by slogans but by good meetings, good ritual, careful mentoring, warm festive boards and Brethren who are proud to speak naturally and confidently about what Freemasonry offers: friendship, integrity, respect and service.

Alongside that, good governance matters. It is not an end in itself, nor is it the enemy of enjoyment, it makes enjoyment safer. The work being undertaken by your Provincial team to review policies, guidance and responsibilities is designed to support, not burden, our Lodges. It protects our members, our charities, our reputation and the future of the Province.

Equally important is supporting those who serve. Whether Treasurer, Secretary, Almoner, Charity Steward or Account Examiner, Brethren deserve practical guidance and accessible training. Our recent financial workshop, attended by more than forty Brethren, demonstrated just how valuable that support can be. It also showed the willingness of Brethren to learn from one another, and where appropriate we will continue to extend that support across other Masonic Orders because many of the challenges we face are shared.

The same principle applies to our Active Provincial Officers. Active office should mean active service. Provincial Officers should be visible, approachable and supportive across the Province, strengthening the links between Province and Lodge through their presence rather than inspection.

At a recent meeting with our Grand Officers, we discussed how their considerable experience and knowledge can continue to add value across the Province. Their role is not simply defined by the office they hold, but by the example they set and the influence they can have on others.

We spoke particularly about the importance of demonstrating our Masonic values in everything we do: showing respect for one another, supporting our fellow Brethren and creating the kind of environment in which people feel valued and encouraged.

We also discussed the important part they can play in helping newer Craft members understand that their Masonic journey does not end in the Craft. Through encouragement, conversation and personal example, experienced Brethren can help others appreciate the opportunities that exist within our wider Masonic family and understand the principle of one organisation, one journey, including the natural progression to the Royal Arch. Experienced Brethren are not simply holders of rank; they are custodians of the values, culture and future of Freemasonry.

This is not about pressure or expectation. It is about sharing experience, offering encouragement and ensuring that every Brother has the opportunity to discover the full richness of Freemasonry.

Our commitment to service also extends beyond Freemasonry. Charity is about far more than financial giving; it is about contributing our time, skills and experience to the communities in which we meet. Our Masonic halls are an important part of that future. Across the Province we are reviewing their governance, ownership and long-term sustainability to ensure they remain vibrant centres for Freemasonry and valuable community assets. This work will take time, but it is essential if we are to leave our successors a sustainable inheritance.

That ambition aligns closely with UGLE's new Centenary Hall Stone Appeal, which seeks to help local Masonic halls flourish by strengthening their connection with the communities they serve. I simply ask Brethren to keep an open mind as this important initiative develops.

It is also encouraging to see Lodges finding renewed identity through shared interests. Phoenix, Burlington and the recently consecrated Semper Paratus Lodge demonstrate that Freemasonry can remain firmly rooted in tradition while presenting itself in ways that resonate with today's members. Not every Lodge needs a particular theme, but every Lodge should understand its identity, its purpose and what makes Brethren look forward to attending.

Earlier today, in Provincial Grand Chapter, I spoke of the Royal Arch as part of one Masonic journey. I make the same point here. Craft and Chapter strengthen one another, just as the wider Masonic Orders strengthen the Craft. We are one Masonic family, and we should continue to work together in that spirit.

I was delighted recently to meet with the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark, Paul Barham, to discuss how we can strengthen our partnership for the benefit of Freemasonry. It was a positive and constructive meeting, and I look forward to building on that relationship in the months and years ahead.

Finally, we have heard today from our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Martin Eggermont, in his role as our CE and F29 Lead.

Martin, thank you to you and your team for the dedication and energy you continue to bring to this important work. F29 will play a significant part in shaping the future of our Province, and I know the Brethren will join me in thanking you for your leadership and commitment.

Brethren, there are occasions when we recognise service to the Province that has taken place quietly, consistently and without any expectation of recognition. Today is one of those occasions.

For several years, W. Bro. John Davies has organised and overseen the provision of PSA testing at our Provincial meetings, including at my recent Investiture. Through his dedication and determination, hundreds of Brethren have taken the opportunity to be tested, many who might otherwise never have done so.

As a direct result of those testing events, a significant number of our members have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or other prostate conditions at an early stage, enabling them to receive treatment and support much sooner than might otherwise have been the case. There can be little doubt that John's commitment has had a profound and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of Brethren throughout this Province and, in doing so, has undoubtedly helped to save lives.

Just as importantly, he has played a leading role in raising awareness of a disease that affects so many men, encouraging us to take our health seriously and reminding us that looking after one another is one of the finest expressions of our Masonic principles.

It is therefore my great pleasure to present W. Bro. John Davies with the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Service to Freemasonry, in recognition of his exceptional commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Brethren of this Province and for his outstanding efforts in raising awareness of prostate cancer.

 W. Bro. John, on behalf of every member of this Province, thank you for your continued commitment, your tireless hard work and your compassion. Your efforts have made a real difference to the lives of many of our Brethren and their families, and this Province is deeply grateful for everything you have done and continue to do.

Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, please would you present W.Bro. John Davies to me.

It gives me enormous pleasure to present you with the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Service to Freemasonry. Congratulations, and thank you.

Brethren, as I draw to a close, I want to thank everyone who has helped make today possible. Provincial meetings do not simply happen, they are the result of careful planning and a great deal of unseen effort.

My sincere thanks go to the Secretariat, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team, and everyone who has managed the arrangements, administration and hospitality. Much of your work goes unnoticed, but it is deeply appreciated.

In many ways, that unseen work reflects what Province should do best: quietly providing the support that allows our Lodges and Chapters to flourish in friendship, ceremony, learning, service and enjoyment. That is our purpose, not bureaucracy or change for its own sake, but support, protection and confidence.

On this Yorkshire Day, let us be proud of our Province without becoming complacent. Let us honour our traditions while embracing the future, strengthen our Lodges and Chapters, serve our communities and move forward together as one Province.

Above all, let us not simply do Freemasonry, let us be Freemasons.

Thank you, Brethren. Enjoy the rest of the day, travel home safely, and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

During the meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter,
the ME Grand Superintendent addressed the Companions:

Companions,

It is a great privilege to address you today for the first time as your Grand Superintendent.

I could hardly have wished for a more fitting occasion than Yorkshire Day. It is a celebration of pride, place and belonging, qualities that resonate deeply within the Royal Arch. We are shaped by our Chapters, our friendships and our shared history, and as custodians of this wonderful Order we have both the privilege and the responsibility of passing it on stronger than we found it.

Before I continue, I extend a very warm welcome to our visiting Grand Superintendents and to all our distinguished guests. You have already been formally introduced by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and his Team, and I do not intend to repeat those introductions, but I do want you to know how much we value your presence. Your attendance reflects the friendship that exists between our Provinces and throughout our wider Masonic family, and I thank each of you for joining us on this special occasion.

I am especially grateful to my fellow Grand Superintendents for their friendship and support. Your presence today means a great deal to me personally and to this Province.

I also extend a warm welcome to our Grand Officers, Provincial Officers, Acting Officers, First Principals, Past First Principals and, perhaps most importantly, those Companions attending Provincial Grand Chapter for the very first time. Whether you are a longstanding Companion or attending for the first time, you are all most warmly welcome.

Companions of the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings, please join me in giving all our distinguished guests a warm and heartfelt Yorkshire welcome.

Today marks a new beginning, not simply for me, but for our Province. New beginnings give us the opportunity to reflect on what we do well, where we can improve and, above all, how we can better support our Chapters and one another.

That support must always be practical. It is not about change for its own sake or unnecessary bureaucracy. It is about creating the conditions in which Chapters flourish, well governed, well supported and, above all, enjoyable.

Because enjoyment matters.

The Royal Arch is profound in its teaching, beautiful in its ceremony and unique in its symbolism. Yet it should also be a place of warmth, friendship and genuine companionship. Reverence and enjoyment are not opposites; indeed, the strongest Chapters are those where both are found together. We should want every Companion to arrive looking forward to the evening and to leave already anticipating the next meeting.

In recent years, Supreme Grand Chapter and UGLE have been clear in their message: Craft and Royal Arch are not separate destinations. They are one organisation and one journey.

That simple truth should also shape the way we approach our Membership Challenge. Success is measured not only by welcoming good men into Freemasonry, but by helping every Brother enjoy the full richness of his Masonic journey.

The Royal Arch is not an optional extra or something to be mentioned only after a Brother has served the Chair. It is the natural continuation of a Mason's journey, completing and enriching what began in the Craft.

That is why we should speak about Chapter with confidence, not as recruiters, but as Companions sharing something we genuinely value. The most persuasive invitation is never a script; it is our own enthusiasm. When we speak about the friendships we have made, the ceremonies we have experienced and the enjoyment we find in Chapter, others naturally become curious.

For many of us, the Royal Arch has deepened our understanding of what we first discovered in the Craft. It has given us a wider perspective, stronger friendships and a greater appreciation of the journey we share. That is something worth explaining and, importantly, something worth experiencing.

Our responsibility, therefore, is not simply to encourage more Brethren to join Chapter. It is to ensure that when they do join, they discover something truly worthwhile.

A good Chapter does not thrive because names appear on a summons. It thrives because Companions feel welcomed, involved and valued. It thrives because ceremonies are prepared with care, responsibilities are shared and the atmosphere is one of genuine friendship. A Chapter should never feel like an obligation reluctantly added to a busy diary, it should feel like a place of belonging.

Province has an important role in supporting that ambition. Whether through practical guidance, workshops or simply being available to help, our purpose is to make life easier for Chapters, not more complicated.

At a recent meeting with our Grand Officers, we discussed how their considerable experience, knowledge and understanding could be used to support Chapters across the Province. Those who have served in positions of responsibility have much to offer, not simply through advice, but through encouragement, mentoring and a willingness to share what they have learned.

This is not about Province standing at a distance and telling Chapters what to do. Province is not there simply to oversee Chapters; it is there to support, encourage and enable them. It is about recognising the wealth of experience within our own Masonic family and using that experience to help one another succeed.

This also gives our Grand Officers a continued and valuable role beyond their formal appointments. Their experience, perspective and understanding remain important assets to the Province, and I hope they will see opportunities to use those qualities in helping our Chapters flourish.

Good governance is not an end in itself. It provides the confidence and stability that allow Chapters to flourish. It protects our members, supports those who carry responsibility and ensures that the Royal Arch remains strong for future generations.

We must also recognise that many Companions serve in other Orders, meet in the same buildings and rely upon the same dedicated volunteers. Where we can share knowledge and support one another, we should do so willingly. That is not a distraction from our purpose, it is good Masonic neighbourliness and reflects the wider family to which we all belong. I have very recently met with the Provincial Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire Mark Masons, R.W. Bro. Paul Barham and over the coming months we will be working together to promote Freemasonry.

One of the phrases I have used frequently in recent months is that our task is not simply to do Freemasonry, but to be Freemasons.

That principle applies very strongly to the Royal Arch.

We strengthen Chapter not simply by holding meetings, but by being good Companions: welcoming visitors, encouraging those who are unsure, supporting those who carry responsibility, noticing those who are absent and ensuring that every Companion feels part of something worthwhile.

We strengthen it by the way we behave before the meeting, during the meeting, at the festive board and long after the evening has ended.

The Royal Arch should never be reduced to administration, ritual or attendance alone. Those things matter, but at its heart Chapter is about companionship, completion, shared discovery and belonging.
As we look ahead, I ask every Chapter in this Province to consider some simple questions:

• Are we welcoming?
• Are we well prepared?
• Do we involve newer Companions?
• Do we speak confidently about the Royal Arch?
• Do we make the most of our meetings?
• Do we enjoy being together?

These are not complicated questions, but they are important ones.

If we make our Chapters places of meaning, friendship and good order, then we will have something real and valuable to offer. Confidence and growth will follow naturally.

Companions, on this Yorkshire Day, let us be proud of our Province without becoming complacent. Let us honour our traditions while ensuring they remain relevant for those who follow us. Let us strengthen our Chapters, support one another and move forward together as one Province, one organisation and one journey.

Let us speak of the Royal Arch with confidence, clarity and warmth.

Let us make our Chapters places where Companions are pleased to arrive and reluctant to leave.

And let us remember that our task is not merely to do Freemasonry, but to be Freemasons.

Thank you, Companions.

Thank you to W Bros John Rees and Chris Ansell for these photographs from the day: