The temple was virtually full and around 87 members and visitor in attendance.

The Provincial Grand Summus R.Dist.Comp. Graham Holden, opened the meeting and welcomed the members of Midland Counties together with visitors from 17 other Provinces.

The Companions were also honoured by the presence of the Past Deputy Grand Summus, R.Dist.Comp. Cdr. Charles Jonathan Aspinell, the Primus President of the newest Consistory in the Province, “Invictus No.149”.

Following the re- appointment of V.Dist.Comp. Trevor L. Cavill, PGReg as his Deputy Provincial Grand Summus, and Dist.Comp. Kenneth I. Walchester, PGHer as Assistant Provincial Grand Summus, the Provincial Grand Summus proceeded to appoint and Invest his Provincial Officers of the year.

In his address to the meeting R.Dist.Comp. Graham Holden highlighted that the growth of our Order depends on the support received from our OSM Conclaves, remembering that every candidate into OSM is a potential Candidate for Scarlet Cord.

To aid recruitment a trifold recruitment leaflet has been produced and will be emailed to every member to be used in approaching potential candidates.

He then made a plea to the Presidents and Recorders in the Consistories that early Identification of Ceremonies to be perform will assist in advertising the meeting to encourage visitors to attend and allow the Officers taking part to learn the ritual with less use of ritual books in the Ceremonies.

Last year had seen all the consistories in the Province holding ceremonies at each of their meetings, with 13 companions having been admitted to their 1st Grade, 10 companions to the 2nd Grade, and 14 to their 3rd Grade, and he hoped for an equally successful year going forward.