PROVINCIAL GRAND SCRIBE EZRA – ANNUAL REPORT – November 2025

Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companions, and Companions, I have much pleasure in
submitting, for your consideration and approval, my Annual Report on the activities of the Royal Arch in the
Province of Devonshire.
It has once again been a busy year with many changes in the relationship between the Royal Arch and the Craft.
That relationship has always been there although much subdued, but it is again coming to the fore. There is
now only one fee to be paid for an Initiate into Freemasonry which also covers his Exaltation into the Royal
Arch, and it is hoped this should encourage more to join the Royal Arch as it is an integral part of a Freemasons
journey.
As a Province, the biggest visible change in the relationship is that in April our Provincial Grand Master RWBro
Nicholas A, Ball was installed as our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, bringing both the Craft and the
Royal Arch under his direction. This is something that both UGLE and SGC are quite keen to see happen as it
brings us under a one journey, one organisation approach. At the same time our new Grand Superintendent
installed E. Comp Andrew W A Vodden MBE as our Second Grand Principal and E. Comp Gavin T. Caldwell as our
Third Grand Principal. The early signs have been encouraging, and the new Executive have been warmly
welcomed throughout the province.
On the 1st May of this year a number of Companions attended the Supreme Grand Chapter Annual Investiture
to support Companions of our Province receiving preferment. Our congratulations go to E. Comp Arthur
Blamey, E. Comp David Dawson and E. Comp Chris Hodgson on receiving a First Appointment to Past Grand
Standard Bearer. I thank all those who travelled to London to support them and our Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent at the Investiture and the subsequent lunch. It was, as it always is, an enjoyable occasion and I
would encourage all Companions to make the journey for a unique experience.
Also, in May many Freemasons from across Devon Cornwall and Somerset came together at Exeter Cathedral
with their friends and family to join with the rulers of the Craft and Royal Arch form all three Provinces in a
Thanksgiving service and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. We were also joined by
representatives of both UGLE and SGC. All Freemasons attending were encouraged to wear either their Craft or
Royal Arch regalia, again further proof of the close relationship between the two orders and demonstrating to
the general public that Freemasonry is open and honest about their membership and relationship with the
Church.
In July of this year all Chapter Scribes and DC’s were invited to attend a seminar in Exeter at which they were
given a presentation on the Royal Arch in Devonshire and about how the Craft and the Royal Arch in
Devonshire are working closer together under the banner of One Journey, One Organisation.
There was also the opportunity to update the Chapter Scribes on the latest forms and procedures for SGC.
This was well received and is likely to be repeated next year.
Throughout the year the emphasis from the United Grand lodge of England is still on the membership
challenge. This message has been consistently emphasised by both the old and the new Executive and Chapters
informed of how they may meet that challenge.
Companions, during the past year we have had 35 Exaltee’s, 17 joining members and 3 re-Joiners, this is due to
Chapters striving to not only stabilise but increase their membership, unfortunately due to Deaths and
resignations, mainly because of old age and ill health, we are only maintaining the status quo. Our biggest
membership age group is 71-80 with those 60-70 not far behind, However, I am confident that the hard work
will continue, and the Executive will support chapters as much as they can in their initiatives to gain new
members.
During the past year we also had Hauley Chapter surrendering their warrant. Sadly, this was because they
found that they were no longer viable as a Chapter.
Portal was launched earlier this year and is the membership platform for UGLE and SGC. Portal introduces
enhanced privacy controls, enabling you to manage your personal data within your own profile and view
your current memberships and view your masonic career within a unified user-friendly system. In time
Portal will expand to include summonses and information from your Chapter Scribes or Lodge Secretaries.
To register on a desktop or laptop, use this link  or on amobile phone use this link Onceyou are on the webpage, follow the instructions below to create your account.
In time Portal will expand to include summonses and information from your Chapter Scribes or Lodge
Secretaries.
Once again it is my sad duty to inform you that we have lost some 30 of our Companions to the Grand Chapter
above. They have all been valued members of their respective Chapters and of this Province. Our thoughts and
prayers go to their relatives and to the companions of their Chapters.
As usual there are many to thank for their support of the Province, not least the Grand and Active Provincial
Officers of this year. Once again, their commitment has been outstanding in support of not only the Executive
but also the Chapters of Devonshire.
The ‘Grand Sanhedrin’ for their continued and unwavering support and the Provincial Grand Treasurer, E. Comp
Peter Bartlett for his hard work in keeping us financially viable.
Again, my grateful thanks must go to the many ‘unseen’ helpers at the Annual Convocation. Without them the
occasion would not run as smoothly they are essential to the success of the event.
I must also give thanks to the Scribe Ezra of each of the Chapters in our Province; they continue to be of great
support and help with the administration of the Province and their Chapters.
Last and not least I thank my Assistant Grand Scribe Ezra, E. Comp Simon Glanfield for his assistance and support
throughout the year. His help has been invaluable
And finally, to the Companions of this wonderful Province of Devonshire, I thank you for the warm welcome that
I have received when visiting your Chapters and look forward to serving you for a further year.
E. Comp Chris Taylor PGStB
Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra
1st November 2025