MBF presentation to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Worcestershire and Warwickshire Combine
On Monday 27th April, R. W. Bro. Eric Rymer, Past Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire, together with R. W. Bro Andrew Armbrister, the Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire, accompanied by V. W. Bro Nigel Clemson, Warwickshire’s Past Provincial Grand Charity Steward, visited The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham to make a cheque presentation on behalf of The Mark Benevolent Fund.
The Hospital is one of only three specialist Orthopaedic hospitals in the country. They take referrals for complicated orthopaedic cases from all parts of the country, as well as being the national referral hospital for all cases of bone cancer.
They sought the help of The Mark Benevolent Fund to purchase a new ultrasound scanner. Both provinces supported the application as the hospital lies on their joint Provincial boundary. The Mark Benevolent Fund made the hospital a grant of £35,828 which enabled them to purchase a state-of-the-art GEC Logitech ultrasound scanner.
Dr Hassam Uldin, a consultant Radiologist, explained to the group the advantages of the new equipment, which is replacing a unit over 10 years old. It is half the size of its predecessor and therefore takes up less room in the usual scanner room, but also makes it far more manoeuvrable, enabling consultants to have the ability to move it to wherever it is needed, be it in a theatre or ward or outpatient area. The quality of scans it produces are greatly improved, especially in soft tissue sarcomas (cancers). At present, after being in place for one month, about 20 patients a week are able to benefit from the machine, but this number is increasing.
A plaque recording the donation is being placed at the entrance to the X Ray department.
The initial presentation of the cheque was made to Dr Uldin in the department followed by a formal presentation to the Trust executive.
Installation of a new Deputy & Assistant Provincial Grand Masters
Grand Lodge Appointments for Worcestershire
Grand Lodge Appointments/Promotions
The following Brethren of the Province of Worcestershire will be receiving Grand Rank Appointments or Promotions in June and September 2026:
First Appointments:
W Bro Derek Wyn Owen, P.A.G.D.C.
W Bro Robin Stanton, P.A.G.D.C.
W Bro Gary Vale, P.A.G.D.C.
Promotions:
W Bro Paul Alan Yarnell, P.G.J.O.
Congratulations to all these Brethren, and all others receiving Appointments or Promotions.
Deputy Provincial Grand Master Retires
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Paul Yarnell, has taken the difficult decision to retire
from office earlier than anticipated.
In consequence of Paul’s retirement, I have decided to appoint W Bro Mark Winfield to the office of Deputy
Provincial Grand Master, in succession to Paul, and W Bro Mervyn Cummings to the office of Assistant Provincial
Grand Master.
I am sure you will wish Mark and Merv all the very best as they, respectively, step into big shoes!
Provincial DC's celebrate their birthday
The meeting of the Provincial Directors of Ceremonies Lodge of MMM on Saturday 7th February 2026 was held at Kings Heath Freemasons Hall, and marked the 25th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Lodge.
Dust those little grey brain cells down AND support local charity
The RW Provincial Grand Master invites you and your friends to a CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT in aid of The Acorns Children’s Hospice, to be held on Saturday 14th March at Kidderminster Cricket Club, Chester Road North, Kidderminster.
Teams of four are invited to compete against each other at a cost of only £10 per head which includes a pork roll & chips to fuel those little grey cells.
Full details below.
https://www.worcestershiremarkpgl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Mark-Quiz-Night-Flyer.pdf
M.W.Bro John Herbert Prizeman passes to higher service
It is with great sadness that we have learned the news that M.W.Bro. John Herbert Prizeman passed to higher service at the age of 79. M.W. Bro. John was a determined, kind and humorous Mark Master Mason who gave of his time and energy,
unstintingly, in our service. We will be forever grateful for his labours, his kindness and the brotherhood we shared.
Provincial Grand Lodge 2025 Minutes now available
The minutes of the 2025 Provincial Grand Lodge held in June 2025 are now available to view prior to the General Purposes Committee meeting to be held on Tuesday 21st January 2026
Royal Ark Mariner Annual Assembly 2025
On Monday 8th December, over 1,000 Brethren from Provinces within the UK and Overseas gathered at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, for the Royal Ark Mariner Annual Assembly.
The Presiding Officer was Deputy Grand Master, R W Bro Professor Denovan Keith Wilson.
Once the general business of the meeting was completed, the PO invested in the region of 140 recipients of Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank (RAMGR) from UK Provinces and Overseas.
Within the Province of Worcestershire, three Brethren were the recipients of RAMGR as follows:
W Bro Kerry Parker
W Bro Paul Wong
W Bro Stuart Cameron
The PO then gave a stirring address to the Annual Assembly before it was closed in due form.
The Brethren then retired to a noisy and enjoyable Festive Board.
The Province of Worcestershire was well represented with 24 Brethren attending the Meeting, and 22 attending the Festive Board.
House of Worship Provincial Donations 2026
As in previous years, the RW Provincial Grand Master has confirmed his intention to donate £1,000 to be shared by up to four Houses of Worship in January 2026.
Brethren of the Province are therefore invited to nominate for consideration, a House of Worship with which you have a connection.
Any nominated House of Worship should be a registered charity, and any donation should preferably be directed towards a specific project (or part thereof) , rather than into general funds
(Capped at £250.00 per donation).
The Provincial Executive will review all of the nominations, and the successful Houses of Worship will be announced at the General Purposes Meeting scheduled for 21st January 2026.
Please let me have your nominations at your earliest convenience.
W Bro John Fleming
Provincial Grand Charity Steward
charity@worcestershiremarkpgl.org.uk