On a slightly damp and chilly Saturday morning the Intendant General, R. Ill. Kt. Steven Groeger, the Deputy Intendant General, V. Ill. Kt. Kevin Todd and the Divisional Recorder, Ill. Kt. Mark Denton, made their way to Croydon to attend the Divisional Conclave meeting for the Division of Surrey.
The journey to Croydon was thankfully very uneventful and we arrived nice and early, giving us plenty of time for some well needed coffee and bacon sandwiches. The usual welcoming and friendly banter between all the visiting knights and members of the Division took place which relaxed us even more and we were then ready for the meeting.
The visiting Intendants General formed up and processed into the Divisional Conclave meeting to applause from all those attending.
The Intendant General, R. Ill. Kt. Simon McCarthy then entered in procession, accompanied by his Divisional Officers.
The Divisional Conclave meeting was opened and the Intendant General proceeded with the agenda items.
This was a special occasion as we were to see the appointment and investiture of a new Deputy Intendant General. R. Ill. Kt. Simon thanked the the outgoing Deputy Intendant General, Ill. Kt. Andrew Sales for all the hard work and effort he had given in that office over many years. The Intendant General was then pleased to announce that P. Kt. Mark Donovan was to be the new Deputy Intendant General and he then proceeded to admit, obligate, invest and install him. P.Kt. Mark was then proclaimed and saluted by the members of the Division and he responded accordingly.
The Intendant General then proceeded to appoint and invest all the other Divisional Officers, which included a new Divisional Recorder. The existing Recorder, Ill. Kt. Chris Craddock was standing down having served nine years in that office during which he had served under two Intendants General. We wish him all the best in his retirement from that office and we will miss him on the circuit.
The remainder of the Divisional meeting was then performed and we then retired to some more friendly banter at the bar before proceeding to have a wonderful after-proceedings meal, with you guessed it, more friendly banter.
Another uneventful journey was had on the way back, although it was in rain this time, but we all got home safely. We always enjoy these trips out to Divisional meetings and can’t wait for the next one so we can be with all our friends and colleagues again.