Somerset Provincial Royal Arch and Craft Annual meeting 2025

One Journey, One Organisation One Complete Freemason, was truly the way at the recent meetings at the Webbington Hotel, for the Annual Somerset Provincial Conclave, followed by the Annual Somerset General meeting. With over 200 attending the conclave, they witnessed Andy Wade be appointed as Third Grand Principal, as well as many others getting their first active rank in Royal Arch and promotions.

Ray then thanked David Maddern for all his hard work over the past two years as the previous Third Principal and awarded him his past Jewel and collar.

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendant Ray Guthrie then delivered his address to the Companions. Please read below:

Then it was a quick change and the Somerset Provincial Craft AGM took place, with over 400 Brethren in attendance and nearly 400 staying for lunch, it was a busy time for the organisers and staff at the hotel, but the transition was seemless.

After opening the meeting, the first order of the day was to thank VW Bro Ben Batley for all his hard work over the years, first as an APGM then as the DPGM. Ben thanked everyone for attending, to what he said was basically his retirement party! Ben did say it had been an honour to serve the Province all these years and wished good luck to his successor the former Provincial Secretary Mike Greedy.

The provincial Grand Master Ray Guthrie thanked all of the visitors from other Provinces for coming, then went on to appoint his officers for the ensuing year as well as the usual annual promotions.

Ray then gave his annual address to the Brethren, which can be read below:

This was the first time that both the annual meetings of both Royal Arch and Craft Masonry were held on the same day and proved to be a resounding success!

Photos from the day …

Thanks for the images to Chris James and Les Pickersgill

Article written by Ian Evans.