E.Comp Simon J. Francis, ProvGSN

In 2022 I was afforded the honour and privilege of being appointed as the Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah for the Royal Arch Province of South Wales. This honour follows on from serving as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies over the last three years visiting many Chapters and Masonic Centres throughout the Province and I now look forward to a further year of travelling the Province in my new role.

I was initiated into Sketty Hall Lodge No. 8752 in 1992 and served as its Master in 2004. In Provincial Grand Lodge I was appointed as Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2010, Provincial Grand Mentor from 2015 – 2017 and then Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2018. I count myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to activity serve the Craft Province on three occasions meeting so many of the Brethren and having so many great memories. In 2020 in Grand Lodge I had the honour of being appointed to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

In Royal Arch I was exalted into R. P. St. John Charles Chapter in 1995 and was installed as 1st Principal in 2011 and again in 2014. In Provincial Grand Chapter I was appointed to Provincial Grand Standard Bearer in 2014 and, as already mentioned, I was appointed Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2019, a position I held for three years.

I have also been very fortunate to have served with active provincial ranks in both Mark Masonry as Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and Knight Templar as the Provincial Priors Banner Bearer.

I was very proud to have served as a trustee on the Masonic Benevolent Fund of South Wales, a position I held for four years, where I witnessed the fantastic work that this funds carries out on behalf of us all. I have also been an Area representative for the Friends of the Albert Edward Prince of wales Court for many years and again witness the great work that is carried out for the benefit of the residence.

During the 2021 Festival I was a member of the Events Committee, responsible for the organisation of many functions throughout the Province including Gala Evenings in both Cardiff and Swansea and the Festival Finale at the City Stadium Cardiff. During the festival, I organised and took part in two sponsored cycle rides, the first ‘The Tour of the Province’ where we visited all the masonic centres in the Province over 3 consecutive days covering over 260 miles and the second was the ‘Home from Home’ ride, cycling from the RMBI home in Llandudno to the home in Porthcawl, a total of 175 miles, in one day. Both rides raised a total of over £17,000 for the festival.

I now look to the year ahead as Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah and hope I have the opportunity of your company and companionship at your Chapter Convocation very soon.