August 2023

Provincial Grand Almoner’s Report August 2023,

The Feast of the Transfiguration

Dear Sir Knights,

Where has the summer gone? After a “flaming June” it has been recorded that we have had the wettest July on record, but I believe the forecast is for warmth in the last couple of weeks of August. Perhaps this is what climate change has for us in the UK; not the “Mediterranean weather” as thought but the loss of the Gulf Stream from the melting of the Arctic Ice-cap and thus, cool, wet and windy summers. Never mind, we will endure it with “our British stiff upper lip” and I am pleased to report that I have nothing to report in respect to sickness nor distress.

Masonically we are in the quiet season, with few meetings apart from the occasional Annual Provincial Meeting, I hope that we shall return refreshed from our summer holidays and be eager to resume in the autumn.

Personally, my gardener grandson had the garden looking “spick and span” for the annual family birthday party on the last Sunday in July; we have 8 birthdays in the last week of July and the first week in August and so we have just one big party. A good time was had by all, although I must admit I ‘was greatly relieved by the peace and quiet when they all departed in the early evening, I think am getting too old for this type of celebration.

On that note, I extend my warm fraternal greetings to you all, enjoy the rest of the summer, have pleasant vacations and be ready to return to duty in the autumn.

Until We Meet Again,

Yours, in Humilitas et Caritas

Sir Sydney of Belchamp Walter,

Provincial Grand Almoner 6" August 2023