An Address given by Most Distinguished Companion, Ian S Currans, Grand Summus

at the Provincial Grand Senatus of Surrey Virtual Business Meeting on Thursday 16th July 2020

Thank you all for attending in such large numbers. This is the first occasion we have had a Virtual Business Meeting of a Province or District, coupled with an installation in all the Orders in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, we have a staggering turnout from the Grand Officers of the year, from our Provinces and Districts, from the Companions of Surrey and also from those who practise Scarlet Cord Masonry in the United States, in Canada and in Australia. I thank you all. I know for some of you it is early afternoon, late evening or even tomorrow! Special mentions for my good friends Wayne Croft and David Stewart from Australia and Arjun Hotwani from Hong Kong who is celebrating his 81st birthday today. Happy Birthday Grand Vice-Chancellor.

And before proceeding, huge thanks to Chris Eley and Tim Ford for their splendid work in arranging this meeting.

Companions, today marks the retirement of Right Distinguished Companion Louis Keats who has served this Province of Surrey as Provincial Grand Summus for the past five years.

All we can ask of a Provincial or District Grand Summus is to leave office with that Province or District in a stronger position than when he first took charge and this is certainly the case with Louis. Not only does Surrey have larger numbers, it has another Consistory. Ritual standards are higher, as are attendances. Louis has been a hard-working, dedicated and popular leader and we thank him sincerely for all he has done. He is of course moving to the North-East; Surrey will continue to see him but he will be Durham and Northumberland’s gain as well.

The choice of a new Ruler is usually a lengthy process, with much pondering. But in this case, with a former professional wicket-keeper the obvious choice, we weren’t stumped for, err, Long. Arnold, you are a real Surrey man. Born in Cheam, you played for the county between 1960 and 1975 and afterwards captained Sussex. After your retirement from cricket you concentrated on your successful insurance business. You have been married to Barbara for nearly 56 years (not out) and have two sons and one daughter and three grandchildren. You have been a Freemason for 50 years, achieving Grand Rank in virtually everything you do. Probably your greatest distinction so far is having been a wonderful District Grand Master for Surrey in the Royal & Select Masters from 2006-2014.

In Scarlet Cord you were appointed Past Grand Herald at the inauguration of the Order in 2010 and were a Grand Lecturer in 2015 and 2016. You have served the Province as Assistant Provincial Grand Summus and latterly as Deputy Provincial Grand Summus.

You would be the first to acknowledge that you are not in the first flush of youth, so this is not going to be a long innings- but none of them ever were!!! Nevertheless, you have my fullest confidence that this Province will be, appropriately, in safe hands.

M.Dist. Comp. Ian Stanley Currans
Grand Summus
16 July 2020

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