New Chairman Team Changes

I am honoured to have been invited by the Rt. W. Provincial Grand Master to succeed Ian Greenwood as Group Chairman, with David Winder as the Group Vice-Chairman. I was delighted that W Bro Geoff Saul accepted my invitation to become Group Secretary.
The retirement of Ian Greenwood as Group Chairman in May, following 16years of continual service to the Preston Group resulted in changes being implemented within our Group structure and I list them for your information.

Vice-Chairman - David Winder’s contribution to the Group as Secretary has provided him with the insight into the Group operation, which will enable him to be a worthy Vice-Chairman to myself and I look forward to working with him in the future.

Group Secretary - Geoff Saul is well known to all, he has excelled in every aspect of Masonry that he has faced, non more so that the recently concluded 2010 Festival when he acted as the Festival Chairman’s right-hand man, providing ongoing records and data relevant to the great achievement this Province demonstrated towards the Festival. I am certain he will discharge all his new duties with credit to the Group.

Group Treasurer – Bob Graham has been the Treasurer for the past 4years and has decided to step down. Consequently this post has now been dispensed with. The ongoing financial operation of the Group will in future become part of the Group Secretaries portfolio. I take this opportunity to thank Bob for all his efforts on your behalf in keeping our accounts in order during his period of tenure.

Group Charity Steward - Howard Linaker continues in this role and I am confident that the skills he demonstrated during the recent 2010 Festival, in assisting the brethren to raise a magnificent sum, bodes well for other charitable ventures the Group may be called upon to support.

Local Care Officer – Owen Jones continues in Office, I know from working with him thus far that his expertise and the confidentiality he applies to his duties is of great benefit to all Almoners.

Group Membership Officer - This is a relative new post, but Michael Threlfall the appointed Officer, is already getting to grips with the responsibilities. I am confident that as the post expands Michael will grow with it and contribute more and more to our well-being. In addition to this role Michael has also taken on board the Group Publicity Officer, this Office was previously known as the Communications Officer, however Province have changed the title, the responsibilities are to ensure we as a Group get as much publicity from our in house activities as possible, which can then be published, on both our own Group web-site and the Provincial web-site. In this regard he will also be responsible for collating and updating all the information contained on the Group web-site, seeking input from all Brethren and Companions.

I thank these brethren not only for what they have done in the past, but also encourage them to face whatever the future may bring with their usual confidence and self-belief.

I have no doubt that the 2010/11 season will be a happy and enjoyable one.

Enjoy your freemasonry

Stan Rigby