In his address EComp Price said:

Companions,

What a tremendous nine months for all of us. So much has been completed in so short a time scale and my sincere thanks go out to all of you.

At my Installation, from the moment that I entered the Chapter, to the end of the evening, I felt very humble, yet uplifted from the immense feeling of true Companionship and unanimity all of one accord, to cherish and support each other and to be a part of our very successful Royal Arch life together.

My entry into the Chapter was a moment long to be remembered and certainly one I will never forget. I very much appreciated the superb support given then and the subsequent support that you have given to the Province, to your Chapters and to me, since that happy day.

My theme was then and will continue to be, one of consolidation of the relevant initiatives and focuses, together in due time, when appropriate,moving into new activities. Thus the main theme from that meeting and now is tender loving care; TLC in short. My ‘Executive’ teams and I have had a period of bonding together, with much success. We have now consolidated and moved forward. The Executive is now much stronger, with a clearer vision of the future of our Province coupled with commitment and drive moving in the same direction, with great enthusiasm.

We have, today, seen the completion of successful periods of senior office by a number of Companions. To all these, I give both the grateful thanks of the Province, together with my own.

We welcome Companion Norman Clark as Companion David Thompson’s successor. 

Companion Thompson is moving his considerable talents from the Office of the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals for the Central Area No 1, to his new and very substantive position as the Chairman of the 2015 Festival.

Companions, time moves on and another Festival Appeal - this time for the RMBI, approaches in the near future. It is my intention to launch that Appeal at the next Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in November. Companion Thompson now has a number of months to work behind the scenes, laying his schemes and planning the next major event within the Province.  Various committees will be formed, appointments made and essential paraphernalia purchased in sufficient time for the formal announcement of the Festival. I do hope that you will extend to Companion Thompson every assistance and encouragement in the task that lies ahead. Having learnt our lessons from the last Festival in 2004, we need to ensure that we “hit the ground running” at the launch on 19 November 2009. 

Companions, you as individuals will have to decide how your various contributions can be afforded. Perhaps I can ask you to consider that the ELMC needs us to continue our essential support? Our care structure is still of the highest Order and thanks are due to you all for the financial support you give, and for the dedicated assistance given by the support staff.

The Chairman and the Board of ELMC have agreed funding for Community Projects throughout the next five years (though clearly and sensibly at a reduced level) commencing in November so that we may concentrate on the RMBI Appeal.   

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