Provincial Honours time for simpification

[taylorsman]

I apolgise for bringing up an old chestnut but at the weekend an event incurred which confirmed my long held opinion that the English Provinces should adopt the London Honours System and have, for all but those Officers who actually perform the said Duty, the three Ranks of Provincial Grand Rank, Senior Provincial Grand Rank and Provincial Rank as the Rosette Appointment for those who have not been through the Chair.

I received a phone call on Saturday from a Masonic friend who told me that he had been awarded an Honour from the Province he had joined 10 years before having been WM of a Lodge in that Province 7 years ago. I started to congratulate him but by the tone of his voice he obviously wasn't happy. He told me that they had only given him PPGStB which was lower than the Honour his Mother Province had given him some years ago now. I did tell him that the basis of calculating the number of each Rank of Honour a Province could award has been changed a year or so ago by UGLE and there were fewer to go round than under the old system. No doubt some Past Masters had been disappointed to receive nothing at all this time round and he ought to accept it with a good grace.

However, the thought did occur that if the Provincial System followed that of London Metro GL then such petty distinctions would cease to exist and I feel this reform is long overdue and we can get rid of the convoluted "Past Provicial Junior Grand Teaboy" etc.

Taylorsman Provincial Grand Rank (or if you insist PPAGDC)

[waynecowley]

I couldn't agree more - in fact I had this very conversation with a few brethren at a FB only a week or so ago. There seems to be a growing acceptance of such an approach - though whether the powers-that-be will ever do anything about it is another matter

Wayne

[jmd]

I am personally not against someone being awarded a distinctive rank or special title for special services rendered to Freemasonry. In a context that also recognises but three degrees ('inclusive of the other three: Mark, HRA and Installed Master' ), there is little opportunity to award a 31st or equivalent, so a PPAGDC [Possible Position Alievating General Discontented Confrere ?] or equivalent is useful.

The problem comes when these are 'expected' or regularly given out. I recall once a comment that 'it's our Lodge's turn to have three elevations in Grank Rank... who are we gonna nominate?' - that's the kind of rubbish that makes the deep blue quite shallow.

[lewfinnis]

The 'ladder' of progression is supposed to recognise and reward continued commitment to the Craft (or other order) over time and it is to be hoped that the new UGLE system will do just this, rather than simply reward whoever chauffeurs the ProvGM around most, as has happened in the past!
That said, too many look at the rank itself rather than acknowleding the honour, or they don't realise what is being offered. I know of a Mark GO who, when offered promotion to PPrGSW as a recognition of long service, said 'But I'm a Grand Officer already' until someone gently pointed out that he was being offered the highest honour the Province could give him.
I think the prospect of promotion does inspire some brethren but too many simply think it should reflect long-term membership - wait a few more years and get a higher rank......