The Provincial Grand Master has been pleased to appoint the following brethren to the roles shown below. These positions would normally be announced at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at Oakley House on Saturday 26th September 2020, but we thought weâd share the good news with you early.
Provincial Grand Treasurer – Peter Lapage
Bro. Peter Derek Lapage PProvGStwd, 2020 Festival Treasurer, of Cantwara- Byrig Lodge No. 1168 has been appointed to succeed W. Bro. Nick Waller PAGDC who is retiring after a period of 3 years as our Provincial Grand Treasurer.
Peter was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in the town of Livingstone & Victoria Falls in Zambia. He served in the BSA Police, Rhodesia, for 12 years, and retired his commission in 1982. Post service, he qualified as an Accountant and emigrated to the UK with Karin in 2003, where he has his own Accountancy Practice in Canterbury. Peter is an active Scuba Diver and qualified as a Dive Master in 2014.
He was initiated into the Craft in Shamrock Lodge No. 617 (I.C.), District of Zimbabwe, in May 1981, and joined the Christopher Marlowe Lodge No. 8014 (E.C.) in 2016, of which he is the current Master, having been installed in December 2018. Peter was Advanced in Cantwara-Byrig Lodge No. 1168 in 2016. He is currently Senior Warden-designate in the Lodge. He was appointed an active Provincial Grand Steward in 2018.
Provincial Grand Registrar – Robert Stevens
W. Bro. Robert John Stevens PPGJW (Essex) PPGMO of The Lord Harris Lodge No. 1494 has been appointed to succeed W. Bro. Barry Cleaves who is retiring after a period of four years as our Provincial Grand Registrar.
Robert was born in South-East London and he lived in that area until about 17 years ago when he moved to Swanley in Kent. Most of his working life was spent in the Construction Industry where he was the Financial Director and Company Secretary for two medium sized privately-owned companies. Prior to his retirement last year, he was also an active partner in a local manufacturing company. In 1999 he qualified as a Health & Safety Advisor and using those skills he played a key role in developing effective Health & Safety strategies for a number of companies. Robertâs interests include dancing, fundraising for his favourite charities and watching cricket. He is a member of Surrey County Cricket Club.
Robert was initiated in a London Craft Lodge in 1997. He has since been very active in London and Kent, both in the Craft and other orders especially the Mark. Robert was Advanced in Khalsa Royal Oak Tree Lodge No. 1244 (Essex) in 1999. He is currently the Treasurer of The Lord Harris Mark Lodge No. 1494. He was appointed PPGMO in Kent in 2016 and PPGJW in Essex in 2017.
Provincial Assistant Grand Almoner – Colin Walker
Given that the 2020 Festival for the Mark Benevolent Fund closes on 13 June 2020, we shall no longer have a need for a Provincial Assistant Grand Charity Steward role. We are therefore introducing instead a new Provincial Assistant Grand Almoner role to add extra resilience to our welfare team. Lt. Col. Colin Kinnaird Walker OBE MBE PProvGStwd of Crane Lodge No. 1157 has been appointed as the first person to hold this office.
Colin was born and brought up in Scotland. At the age of just 15 he enlisted in the Junior Leaders regiment, Royal Engineers, and then moved into adult military service at the age of 18. He served for many years with 9 Parachute Squadron and visited many countries. The highlight of his career was becoming Regimental Sergeant Major in Ripon, North Yorkshire. He served until he was 55 years old achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, following which he changed his uniform to a suit and became Army Welfare Officer where he remained for a further 12 years.
At sport Colin represented the Army in Cross Country running and was the army veteranâs Marathon Champion in 1994 with a time of 2hrs and 42 minuites. He supports Heart of Midlothian Football Club in Edinburgh but we wonât hold that against him! He was awarded the MBE as a soldier and the OBE as an officer.
Colin was Advanced in Crane Lodge No. 1157 in 2010 and was WM in 2017. He is currently Lodge Charity Steward. Colin is currently an active Provincial Grand Steward having been appointed in 2019.
Secretary to the Provincial Care & Welfare Committee – Chris Clark
The introduction of a Provincial Care & Welfare Committee was announced on 7th May 2020. W. Bro. Christopher Stephen Clark PPGJW of Herne Bay Lodge No. 771 has been appointed as the Secretary to that Committee. He will take up his role with immediate effect.
Chris was born in Skipton, North Yorkshire. He is married to Heather and they have four children and four grandchildren. He joined Kent County Constabulary in 1975, serving at Gillingham, Tunbridge Wells and the Kent Support Group. He transferred to the City of London Police in 1993 and retired from the police service in early 2007. Whilst in the City, he spent 9 years on the firearms team and nearly 4 years on Event Planning. He currently works part-time for Barretts BMW in Canterbury. In his spare time Chris enjoys archery and ornithology.
Chris became a Freemason in 1984 and is a member of Holmesdale Lodge No. 874 (Tunbridge Wells). He was Master in 1997. He was also Master of Edenbridge Lodge No. 7462 in 1999. He was Secretary of Holmesdale Lodge for six years. He has also been ADC, Lodge Almoner and latterly Lodge Mentor for three years. He holds the Craft Provincial rank of PProvGSwdB. In the Mark Degree Chris was Advanced in Medway Lodge No. 811 in 1988 and went through the chair in 1995. He was Lodge Secretary for a total of 13 years. He is currently Secretary of Herne Bay Lodge No. 771; Scribe of King Charles the Martyr R.A.M. Lodge No. 267; a joining member of Thanet R.A.M.; and a member of Kent Installed Mark Mastersâ Lodge No. 999 and Kent Installed Commandersâ Lodge No. 999. He was appointed a PPGJW in 2011 and is a Grand Steward-designate for 2020.
We wish all the post-holders the best of luck in their new roles. We extend sincere thanks to all those who are stepping down for their hard work and commitment and wish them well in their retirement.