After the special red regalia of a Provincial Grand Steward, perhaps the most coveted Masonic accessory is the white wand of a Provincial Director of Ceremonies. Each year, four new Provincial Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies are appointed, keen to follow in the footsteps of many illustrious brethren and maintain the high standard and traditions of those who have gone before them.

Compared to many of the acting provincial officers, the brother proudly bearing that white stick, the unique badge of his office, has a very different and prescribed role. There to formally escort the presiding officer, he is also there to ensure that everything (hopefully) goes according to plan. In the unusual event of the presiding officer needing a gentle reminder of the next word in his address, his escort is poised to provide it. Indeed, our excellent team of Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies learn all three addresses so that, should it be required, they can step in to deliver them.

Many of you will visit lodges in other Provinces and will have seen how installation meetings are conducted. We can be rightly proud of the manner in which our Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies undertake their duties. A great deal of thought goes into the selection process to ensure that the right brother is chosen – after all, we are not all Directors of Ceremonies! As with many Stewards, Provincial Directors of Ceremonies (DCs) often go on to hold very high office and it is testament to that selection process that they do so.

All present at the recent annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge saw the outgoing team of DCs complete their special year and the new team start another. We saw the Provincial Grand Master invest them with their new collars but, unlike in a normal lodge installation, he did not present them with that special badge of office – their wands! Brethren, this is usually a more private affair that takes place at the very end of the day. I am pleased to report that, on this occasion, I was present to witness the handover. As you can see from the photos, some were very conducive but, for others, it was a little harder to prise the fingers of their predecessors from their wands!