“WOW!” exclaimed the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro David Stanford, upon re-entering the lodge. He had just escorted the Provincial Grand Master, RW David F Macey and numerous other distinguished guests and visitors of Grand and Provincial rank, out of the lodge room.
We had just witnessed a very special occasion being only the fourth time in the history of the Province of Warwickshire that such a presentation has been made. W Bro. Michael Roper-Hall, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, Certificate of Merit, received a certificate and badge from the PGM to mark his 70th year as an active Freemason.
The PGM sat in the centre of the lodge with the very modest Michael, reminiscing for the benefit of members and visitors Michael’s life and times, skilfully extracting an astonishing history of personal, academic, military and Masonic achievements. At the end of the interview the PGM expressed but one regret, “I only wish I could present you with another Provincial Grand Master’s Certificate of Merit. You deserve it! But if you want to express it as CM² that’s fine by me!”
There followed a flawless and entertaining presentation of the first degree tracing board by the PGM and Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro Philip Hall.
One would now expect that the very busy Provincial Grand Master had exhausted his repertoire for the day, but none of it, he proceeded to present four Grand Lodge certificates to those recent initiates of the University of Birmingham Lodge who were fortunate enough to be present on the day.
All of this was presided over by our Worshipful Master Alberto, who is believed to be the youngest serving Master in England having been installed at the age of 23.
Is it any wonder that the Provincial DC’s first words were, “WOW!”?
Ron Parker