On Saturday 22nd April a new Intendant General was to be installed at the Divisional Conclave meeting in Croydon, Surrey and our Intendant General, R.Ill.Kt Steven Groeger, Deputy Intendant General, V.Ill.Kt. Kevin Todd MBE and Divisional Recorder, Ill. Kt. Mark Denton were in attendance at the meeting, along with many other visitors from all over the country.
Following an early start they arrived safely in Croydon and were warmly welcomed by W. Kts. of the Division along with and a nice cup of coffee and a bacon roll which are always welcomed on arrival after a long journey.
The installation of the new Intendant General, Ill. Kt. Simon McCarty, was presided over by the Grand Sovereign, M.Ill.Kt. Graham Flight along with a team of Grand Officers and the Grand Sepulchre Guard., which included our own W.Kt. Paul Jeans (fourth from right).
Attending the installation of a new Intendant General always comes with mixed emotions.
Firstly, the departure of the previous Intendant General, R. Ill. Kt. Robert Hancock, brings with it sadness. R. Ill. Kt Bob had served the Division as their Intendant General for 10 years in an exceptional manner, and he will be greatly missed by all the W.Kts. of the Division. He will also be missed by all the other Intendants General as he was always great company at the other Divisional Conclave meetings which he attended all over the country.
Then comes happiness, with the installation of the new Intendant General, R. Ill. Kt. Simon MacCarthy.
R.Ill. Kt Simon was installed as Intendant General by the Grand Sovereign and afterwards he installed his Deputy Intendant General, Ill. Kt. Andrew Sales, in an exception manner.
The Divisional meeting was then adjourned for luncheon and on leaving Divisional Conclave R.Ill. Kt Simon was congratulated by everyone.
A wonderful luncheon was had by all. As always, great company, excellent conversation and exceptional food.
Following the luncheon, the Grand Sovereign and his team, as well as some of the visitors who had travelled great distances to attend the meeting, departed. The Divisional Conclave meeting was then resumed so that the remainder of the Divisional business, including the investiture of the Divisional officers could be performed.
We all wish R. Ill.Kt. Simon all the best in his new role and look forward to seeing him out and about on the Divisional AGM circuit.
We left Croydon having had a great day out and all arrived home safely, ready to set off to the next Divisional meeting in the East Midlands (Northampton) in a few weeks time.