On Tuesday 18th December 2018 the Province of Sussex came together to Dedicate a Provincial Standard; to confer Provincial Appointments and Promotions on several Brethren and to Dedicate a Memorial Window.
The original Provincial Standard which had been in use sincere the early 1920’s had seen better days and had not been used for several years. Thanks to the exceptional skill of Mrs Daphne Dedman, wife of the Province Charity Steward, W. Bro Paul Dedman, this Standard has now been completely renovated and will be seen around the Province. Mrs Dedman had also been able to recover some parts of the original Standard and it is truly a work of art.
2018 is a very significant year marking the end of the First World War. To recognise this event, RWBro Christopher Moore, Provincial Grand Master gave permission for a Memorial Window to be commissioned and to be installed at 25 Queens Road, the home of Sussex Freemasonry. Mr Ian Shearer of Baldwin Studios in Eastbourne was commissioned to design and make the Memorial Window. In a most impressive and moving Ceremony the Provincial Grand Chaplain delivered a highly charged and thought-provoking Oration at the end of which the Last Post was sounded and both Provincial Standards were lowered as a mark of respect to those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Memorial Window has been installed on the top processional corridor of 25 Queens Road and during the day natural light will be able to shine through whilst at night cleverly designed lighting will illuminate the magnificent colours.
Mrs Daphne Dedman and Mr Ian Shearer were invited to attend the post meeting Festive Board so that the thanks of the Province could be properly recorded. Pictured from left to right is W. Bro Maurice Adams, Deputy Provincial Grand Master with the refurbished Provincial Standard, Mr Ian Shearer who designed and crafted the Memorial Window, Mrs Daphne Dedman and RWBro Chis Moore Provincial Grand Master