Please read below, Tom's own words of his very special day and we offer him our wholehearted congratulations!
"As most of you will be aware, I now have the great honour to be the RWPGM of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of London. The Mark Degree ranks after the Craft and Royal Arch in terms of number of Lodges and Memberships and is therefore a significant force in the various Progressive Orders which make up the whole family of Freemasonry. London has nearly 200 Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges and comprises some 3,000 Brethren.
My Installation, as the photograph shows, was held at Freemasons Hall in Great Queen Street on 11th July and I had the awesome privilege of occupying that Throne which HRH the Duke of Kent sits upon when he presides over UGLE Meetings as our Grand Master. It was quite an emotional moment – especially when I looked out over a sea of over 1,100 faces! Amongst those present were 8 of my companions from Scotland, who have been to Neleus Meetings in the past; Peter Reader, Barry Ford, Clive Gavin, Nick Holden, John Stribling and probably a good few other names you will recognise as visitors to 3062.
It was a long day too. Rehearsals etc from 8.30; Investiture at 11 am; Lunch in the Connaught Rooms at 1.30pm; back to Grand Temple at 4pm for the regular Provincial business meeting (I invested and shook hands with some 200 Officers!); and then at 6pm I entertained 80 of my nearest and dearest at a buffet supper in the Freemasons Arms. I think I got to bed around 1am but was up and out at 11am to see the Scottish contingent off home at Kings Cross on the 12 noon train.
As you will have guessed, life has got just a tad busier than usual but at the moment I have still got the diary under control and still can look after Neleus’ finances. Oh and take Eunice away on holiday from time to time too!"