The Annual Meeting of the District Grand Council of Dorset, Hampshire, and Isle of Wight took place on Saturday the 29th of August at the Brook House Masonic Centre in Botley. District Grand Council was honoured by the presence of the Grand Master, M.Ill.Comp. Kessick John Jones who was here to install the District Grand Master Designate, V.Ill.Comp. Peter Robert Dack, P.G.Lect.
There was a large contingent from Surrey attending to support the District Grand Master Designate. Our District Grand Master, Deputy District Grand Master, and Principal Conductor of the Work ; along with Ill.Comps. Jack Love, Ian Smith, and Chris Eley; and on the Grand Team, V.Ill.Comp. Leslie Grout, G.Lect., our District Grand Chaplain; V.Ill.Comp. Robert Scott, G.Org., P.G.Lect., our District Grand Organist; and Ill.Comp. Mark Donovan, G.Man., although not on the installation team that day.
From 9.30 am the Companions of the District and their guests started arriving for coffee and bacon butties, while the Grand Director of Ceremonies and the Companions of the Escort were busy rehearsing the ceremonial. It was good to see so many Companions from other Districts who came along to support the District of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and of course our Grand Master and his team.
There were also many heads and executive members of other Orders in Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight attending to support the District Grand Master Designate, V.Ill.Comp. Peter Dack. By 10.50 am everyone was seated in the Temple. Just after 10.55 am the Brethren were called to order by Ill.Comp, Mark Gannaway, P.G.Cond,C., the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, to receive the Presiding Officer, R.Ill.Comp. George Deacon, who opened District Grand Council in form.
District Grand Council received the Grand Master, M.Ill.Comp. Kessick J Jones, the Installing Officer, escorted by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, R.Ill.Comp. Graham Seeman. The Grand Master appointed his Officers to assist him in the ceremony and was then saluted with eleven under the direction of the Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Installing Officer addressed the Companions and asked the District Recorder to call the Roll of Councils in the District. The Installing Officer addressed the brethren on the purpose of the meeting, to install V.Ill.Comp. Peter Dack as the District Grand Master for Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
The Grand Director of Ceremonies and appointed Companions retired in procession, re-entered the Council and introduced the District Grand Master Designate. The Installing Officer called upon the Grand Recorder to read the Patent of Appointment and then addressed the District Grand Master Designate on the nature of his duties and the qualifications for the office. After the Grand Chaplain had offered a prayer the District Grand Master Designate took his Obligation and was invested and installed in the Chair by the Grand Master. R.Ill.Comp. Peter Dack was then proclaimed and saluted under the direction of the Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The District Grand Master announced the appointment of Ill.Comp. Simon Lancaster, P.G.Cond.C, as Deputy District Grand Master and Ill.Comp. Clive Egerton, P.G.Capt.G., as District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work. They were introduced to the District Grand Master, Obligated, Invested, Proclaimed and Installed.
The District Grand Master addressed the Grand Master thanking him and his team for making this such a special day, not only for himself but all the Companions of the District of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight. The Grand Master said it was a delight to install R.Ill.Comp. Peter and wished him and the Companions of the District of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight every success for the future. The Grand Master and his Assisting Officers then retired in procession.
Before approving the minutes of the previous meeting those present remembered the Companions who had passed to the Grand Council Above since the last Annual Meeting. After the regular business of District Grand Council had been concluded, he appointed and invested the District Grand Officers for 2026-2027. The District Grand Master addressed District Grand Council. He thanked all the guests and members for attending and helping to make this a very special day. The District Grand Master closed District Grand Council and, accompanied by the Executive, Right Illustrious Companions, and other Distinguished Guests, retired from District Grand Council.
We then enjoyed some refreshments and the opportunity to catch up with some old friends. After refreshments we were called into lunch at the Brook House Masonic Centre. There was a most convivial atmosphere in the dining room. The Grand Master and the District Grand Master took wine with all the Companions. In proposing the toast to the Grand Master, the District Grand Master presented M.Ill.Comp. Kessick J Jones with a small gift in appreciation of his support of the District of Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight. He also presented the Grand Director of Ceremonies, R.Ill.Comp. Graham Seeman with a small gift. He then had much pleasure in presenting V.Ill.Comp. Jonathan Whitaker, Provincial Grand Master of the Craft Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight with a donation of £2,500 towards his 2027 MCF Festival; and R.Ill.Comp. George Deacon with a donation toward his charity, Maggie’s Southampton, of £1,000. It was a long but truly memorable day.