Awards, Appointments and Charity at Warwickshire's Annual Provincial Meetings
Warwickshire Freemasons gathered at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on Saturday 6 June 2026 for their Annual Provincial Grand Chapter Convocation and Provincial Grand Lodge Meetings.
Now in its third year at the popular venue, the day brought together members from across the Province for a celebration of achievement, recognition and charitable giving.
The morning commenced with the Annual Provincial Grand Chapter Convocation, where the Provincial Grand Superintendent, Philip Hall, appointed and invested his officers for the coming year.
During the meeting, David Mander was presented with a Provincial Grand Superintendent’s Certificate of Merit in recognition of his outstanding service.
The Provincial Grand Master announced the introduction of a “Community Champions Award” to be presented annually to Brethren who are active in their local community. 28 excellent nominations were received from across the province and successful brethren receive an engraved tankard and a cheque for £2,000 for the chosen charity.
The first award was presented to Harry Black. At 99 years of age, Harry is a Second World War naval veteran and has dedicated over 60 years of his life to helping those less fortunate than himself. This commitment to his local community has led to him being awarded “The Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2022 and also Medal of Merit from the German Bundestag in 2003.
During his 60 years of community service he has supported The RNLI, Air Ambulance, the homeless charity Shelter, the Salvation Army and Birmingham Children’s Hospital as well as many local charities such as foodbanks and youth groups.
His latest project has involved him in providing First Aid and Bleed Kits, which are deployed locally, following the tragic stabbing and death of young boy in Hall Green.
Harris is a member of St Andrews Chapter No. 4056 and his chosen charity, not suprisingly given his Naval background, was “Shirley Sea Cadets
Following the Convocation, members enjoyed a splendid lunch, during which the Grand Superintendent presented a further two cheques of £2,000 to additional Community Champions Awards were presented to Bro. Patrick Breen is a Fellowcraft from Abbey Lodge 432 and Bro. Lewis Marks a Master Mason from Dunsmore Lodge 6642.
Patrick is only at the start of his masonic journey having just been passed to the degree of a fellow craft. He runs a day service for adults with a learning disability, providing care and support for some of the most vulnerable people in Warwickshire. He also acts as a volunteer advocate at “Solihull Action” supporting young people and their families.
Finally his work in the community involves being a blood biker delivering essential blood and samples for the NHS across the Midlands.
His chosen charity is Guide Dogs.
Lewis is an electrical installer by trade and uses these skills and uses these skills in volunteering for the charity “Our Jay” installing defibrillators in Rugby and the wider area. To date these defibrillators have saved over 30 lives in Rugby alone.
The charity was started by a mother who’s young son died from a heart attack, who would have had a much better chance of survival if a defibrillator had been readily available.
Lewis’s chosen charity is “Our Jay”.
The afternoon Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting saw Philip Hall, in his role as Provincial Grand Master, appoint and invest his Provincial Grand Lodge officers for the forthcoming year.
Provincial Grand Master’s Certificate of Merit was awarded to Martin Parrack in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the Let’s Talk Team over many years. Christopher Grove also received a Certificate of Merit for his unstinting support and dedication to Warwickshire Freemasonry.
These awards are among the Province’s highest honours and are rarely bestowed. With the three presentations made this year, only eight living recipients now hold the distinction.
In his address to the Province, Philip Hall announced that Warwickshire Freemasons have now raised an impressive £600,000 towards the Warwickshire Tercentenary Appeal in support of Fisher House Birmingham.
Fisher House was selected as the Province’s Tercentenary Appeal beneficiary because of its inspirational work providing a “home away from home” for the families and loved ones of military personnel and veterans receiving treatment at the Centre for Defence Medicine, based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The charity’s work aligns closely with the Province’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and supporting those who serve.
During his address, the Provincial Grand Master also highlighted the outstanding work being undertaken by Warwickshire’s Communications and Membership Teams. He praised the Province’s innovative social media campaigns and continually developing website, which together have generated more than 4,000 enquiries from prospective members.
Philip Hall explained that every enquiry received is personally followed up by the Membership team, ensuring that interested individuals are given support and guidance throughout their journey into Freemasonry. The success of this approach is now being reflected in the Province’s membership figures, which are beginning to show growth.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of these efforts, the Provincial Grand Master revealed that, in the previous 90 days alone, 94 prospective members had been successfully matched with Lodges across Warwickshire. He thanked both teams for their dedication and commitment, noting that their work is helping to secure a vibrant future for Freemasonry in the Province.
The day’s charitable presentations continued with donations towards the Appeal. The Lodge of Impartiality presented £7,037, while Dennis Freshwater, representing the Order of the Secret Monitor, donated a further £1,000, presented memorably in the form of a giant Monopoly-style banknote.
The Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire, Stephen Wyer, then presented a cheque for £17,000 on behalf of Worcestershire Freemasons, demonstrating the wider support being shown for the appeal.
Beyond the awards and charitable giving, the day also highlighted one of Freemasonry’s greatest strengths: family.
Richard Freakley reflected on the meeting, noting how he watched his brother perform his duties as Provincial Chapter Director of Ceremonies with great professionalism. He also observed a father seeing his son promoted to Deputy Director of Ceremonies while that same son watched his father occupy the Senior Warden’s chair. Elsewhere, another father proudly witnessed his son being reappointed as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master while hearing his own contribution recognised in the Provincial Grand Master’s address.
Adding to these family connections, Warwickshire’s official photographer, Simon Grove, captured the moment his father, Christopher Grove, received his Certificate of Merit.
The day served as a powerful reminder that Freemasonry is far more than meetings and ceremonies. It is a community built on friendship, family, service and charity. With significant charitable milestones achieved, deserving members recognised, and a new team of Provincial officers invested, Warwickshire Freemasons can look forward with confidence to another successful year ahead.