Provincial Grand Almoner’s Report February 2024

Dear Sir Knights,

What a month it has been — storms, rain, freezing and now mild and there are still a couple of months of winter to go. Christmas and New Year seem long past, in 10 days it will be Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

Meetings of the various Degrees and Companion Orders are coming thick and fast. It appears that the fear of the Pestilence is fading because I have found that attendance is rising and Candidates are once more coming along. It has been good to meet again with Knights, Brothers and Companions whom, understandably, we have not seen for the past few years (sorry for the commercial -but do keep up to date with your vaccine boosters )

With the more clement weather, my grandson has been able to start again in the garden. His main task has to repair the ravages of “Brock the Badger” My neighbour has re-enforced the fence and we are both refilling the enormous holes, I have had to lower the sleepers in a raised bed because much to our surprise, Brock has been managing to climb over the fence in addition to his

tunnelling! Daffodils are making their appearance as are catkins on the trees. The flock of pigeons and doves seems to be double in numbers and the pair of crows regular visitors.

We are apparently a healthy Band of Knights, apart from the knight whose anticipated operation was again postponed; but as all Almoners know, we are the last to learn of anything amiss!

I now take my leave and in anticipation of the Lenten Season “ Pax Vobiscum”

Yours in Humilitas et Caritas

Sir Sydney of Belchamp Walter,

Provincial Grand Almoner 4th February 2024