By Ed Thompson, Senior Deacon, Principal Sojourner   9th May 2026

When I picked up W Bro Paul Hillary (the to-be Provincial Grand Treasurer of the Province of Yorkshire North & East Ridings) the day was early and bright. I may have arrived outside of Paul's house at about five past eight in the morning. This was only five minutes after I picked up W Bro Steve Berry who was in good sprits and made for good company in the front of the car. Their close proximity of repsective dwellings made the journey to our desired destination very easy and efficiently done. Our destination, of course, was the Investiture of our new Provincial Grandmaster & Grand Superintendent Mark Iveson (and some of his key team members too) of the Province of Yorkshire North & East Ridings.

The weather was fair on the way to York and W Bro Berry, W Bro Hillary and I arrived at York Racecourse for just gone 9 o' clock. Walking towards the entrance, Paul and I discussed our love (or perhaps chemical reliance) of coffee. A few moments later we had taken the lift up to the top of the Knavesmire Stand, took off to the bar and refreshed ourselves with a cup of the aforementioned beverage and pottered around before this monumental event was due to start.

After getting suited, booted and jeweled up, we made our way downstairs to the first grand occasion - the Investiture of W Bro Mark Iveson as Grand Superintendent (this first occasion was in the Royal Arch Chapter). I will not dilate on much of any ceremony however it was particularly incredible to see something in both the Chapter and Craft Investitures - the active UGLE officers and their level of ritualistic profeciency, most notably the DCs and the Assistant Grandmaster & Past 3rd Grand Principal RW Steven Varley who initally took control of proceedings and later to invest W Bro Iveson.

I mentioned earlier that some of W Bro Iveson's key members were invested too, none more significant to the unit of Technical 5666 than W Bro Dr. Hiten Thaker. He was invested by the new Grand Superintendent as Deputy Grand Superintendent. Myself, W Bros Paul and Steve and other Technical Chapter companions in attendance were proud to be there to see him invested with this high honour in the flesh. For a moment I wanted to shout and cheer but I quickly reminded myself of the formality of this occasion. Hull City were playing in the Championship Play Offs the night before and I perhaps had some latent adrenaline in my system. I held my tongue.

After this ceremony concluded, it was time for lunch. The travelling Technical crew were temporarily seperated. Whilst myself and W Bro Steve were seated with some fine and distinguished brethren from Humber Lodge 57 - assumingly due to us all belonging to lodges South in Province. W Bro Paul however was placed on a different table in the seating plan. "You must've been on one of the important tables", I later remarked. "I don't know why I was but I'm definitely not important. I'm just happy because somebody had wine pre-ordered on ours", Paul replied. I was slightly envious of that but I remembered I was driving and gratefully drank my ol' reliable Guinness 0.0.

The food was very tasty, the company was joyful and before we knew it we all were downstairs again, ready for the next and final occasion - W Bro Iveson's investiture as Provincial Grandmaster.

The ceremony was simlilar in many ways to the Royal Arch Chaper one that preceded it. Now in the Craft, the newly invested PGM RW Bro Mark Iveson invested his Assistant Provincial Grandmasters, Wardens and other key officers in the Provincial Grand Lodge. This ceremony in the Craft was slightly more comprehensive. The Chapter one was intruiging but mainly focused on the investiture of the Three Prinicipals.

RW Bro Mark Iveson

Newly installed Provincial Grandmaster

& Grand Superintendent of Yorkshire North & East Ridings

Overall, all formal business in both ceremonies were filled with grandeur and unbelievably precise ritual - professionalism reigned.

When all was done, we headed back to my car with a slight hint of drizzle. Driving home, W Bro Paul was particularly jolly (thank you to whomever ordered that wine) and we three had enjoyable conversation for the full hour of journey. Unfortunately as I dropped them off, it was now heavily precipating but the warmth and comfort of a home was incoming. This was only a fleeting escape for Paul, however, as he had dog walk duties to fulfil. My late great-grandmother was Danish and I quite like the Scandanavian attitude of 'There is no bad weather, only bad choice of clothing' but I nervously hesitated in reciting that to him as I dropped him off.

We had a great time together. It is always fun to get out and visit, whether that is a Lodge, a Chapter, an Installation, a White Table Event or indeed a large Provincial event as we did today. It was made extra special for Technical 5666 too, by way of W Bro Hiten's investiture as DGS (Deputy Grand Superintendent).

Luckily, it doesn't stop here for Technical Lodge. On 1st August, many more Brethren and Companions are receiving honours and promotions in Freemasonry at the next Provincial Event - we will be supporting them in numbers, with smiles on our faces.