The Grand Primo
Brother Terry Billingham ROH.
Dudley & District Provincial Grand Lodge
I think it would be fair to say that when any Brother attends Grand Lodge for the first time the idea that he could ever become a Grand Lodge Officer, let alone Grand Primo, is one which never enters his head. The world of the Quarterly meetings is something completely alien and it takes a few mee4tings before you get a real feel for this new atmosphere. Unless your Province throws you in at the deep end, with a motion to propose or a point of view to express in some debate, you will have that time. The chance to meet and talk to some of the “old sweats” and, contrary to some opinions, they are an approachable and friendly crew. After all they have, at some time in their past, been in the same position as you.
I was no different, having been initiated in the Netherton Lodge No 3645 of the Dudley & District Province in 1977 and gaining all my degrees there, As a Certified Primo I started to attend Provincial Grand Lodge, the first daunting step up the ladder. In 1979 I had my first office in PGL as P.G. Alderman of Juniper and my involvement, in this Order we all love, just grew and grew. A succession of senior positions within the Province followed. In 1981 it was President of Examining Council (which I held again last year), 1982 President of the Benevolent Board and as a PGL Trustee a position I still hold. I am also now Secretary of the Bridgewater my “Apprenticeship” the Dudley Province nominated me for a Grand Lodge Office. In December 1995, the Grand Primo Elect Bro Jack Hook ROH, announcing his “team” for 1996, read out my name, as, appropriately, Grand Alderman of Juniper. Only then did I realise just how much more would be expected of me, more ceremonies, investitures and social functions to attend. Thankfully I had the wholehearted support of my family, but more of that later.
From 2000 to 2002 I served my first spell on the Grand Lodge Management Committee, another eye opener, at times hard work, but satisfying to be in a position to put something back into the Order. I returned to Management in 2008 until my election in 2009 as Deputy Grand Primo for 2010.
At this time, three months into my tenure as Grand Primo I find myself pondering , as I’m sure all my predecessors have done, where have the last ninety days of my life one. Returning to my family, I hesitate to embarrass them, but without their support and belief in what I have done within the Order I would not be in the position I now hold as Grand Primo. They are the ones who keep me firmly anchored in life. Carole and I have been married for 47 years, we have had three wonderful daughters and four grandchildren a great recipe for taking you out of yourself and down to earth with a bump. We did sadly suffer the death of one daughter some 15 years ago, an experience no parent should have to go through. However the family bond is strong and that with the support and understand of the extended family of the Buffs has helped us recover.
I look forward to serving each and every one of you, to the best of my ability, for the rest of my term as your Grand Primo and beyond.
Fraternally
Bro Terry Billingham R.O.H
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The Deputy Grand Primo
Brother Alan Egan R.O.H
I was initiated in the Black Eagle Lodge no 8830 (now Black Eagle-FN Lodge), Western Germany No 4 Province, while serving with the Royal Corps of Signals in BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) and stationed at RAF Wildenrath. Just a few months later I was back in the UK at Catterick on a technical upgrading course.
At Catterick I was fortunate to live next door to another Buff, Bro Alan Penny and we bother passed Examining Council under Darlington & District PGL, but as happens so often in service life, I was posted again before I could be raised to the Second Degree. However my new Lodge in the Shetland Isles, the Viking Lodge No 9807, Grand Lodge Direct, thought me worthy and on 20th October 1975 I was inducted as a Certified Primo. Some three years later they also conferred Knighthood on me.
A second tour of duty in Germany saw me become City Secretary of the Friendly Zeco, Park and Key & Chain Lodges, the first of which raised me to Roll of Honour. Although the unit to which I was posted was regularly out on manoeuvres for weeks at a time I enjoyed working my through Provincial Grand Lodge until 1988 I became Provincial Grand Primo of Bielefeld & District, Western Germany No 6 Province. Once again in the UK, 1991 found me affiliating to the Coleford & District Lodge No 10609, Provincial Grand Lodge and ROH Assembly. I was very fortunate to be elected as Provincial Grand Primo 2006 and have also served the Province as President of Examining Council, Knights Chapter and Roll of Honour Assembly.
At the December 2000 meeting of Grand Lodge in Hull, I was delighted to find that I had been successful in my bid to become a Grand Lodge Officer, when I was presented with the collar of Grand Tyler 2001 and in 2004 at the December meeting in Salisbury I was again very pleased to be elected to serve as a member of the Grand Lodge Management Committee.
As a very gregarious person I enjoy the company of anyone who will put up with me and the RAOB provides me with all the company I need, however, for something a little different, I do take part in the local Shove Halfpenny League on a Monday, where I play for the Timsbury Royal British Legion and enjoy the company of all members of all the teams in the league.
My interests have changed little over the years and now that Marion and I have grandchildren I find that I consider them and look forward to their company more and more. Family is still the most important aspect of my life followed very closely by the RAOB.
I work as a project manager in the Ministry of Defence, work I thoroughly enjoy, and must admit to looking forward, on a daily basis, to getting up, going to work and carrying out my duties. I also enjoy the regular meetings with outside contacts and contractors, whilst acting on behalf of the MOD.
I am looking forward with trepidation but much excitement to the next three years
Fraternally
Bro Alan Egan R.O.H
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Grand Chamberlain
Brother Brian Sutcliffe ROH
Bro Brian was initiated in the Granett Lodge No 3631, Bradford, on 15th April 1997 and it was in his Mother Lodge he received all his further degrees. In 2006 he was President of Bradford Knights Chapter. He became Knight’s President, Knight Secretary and Provincial Grand Primo Huddersfield Province in 2007. This did not mean he had given up his allegiance to Bradford as in 2012 he was their Roll of Honour President and is the Provincial Grand Primo for the current year. Bro Brain is says that he enjoys visiting Lodges whenever possible and has accumulated quite a number of affiliations along the way.
Occupation: Maintenance Manager/ Purchasing
Bro Brain served with the Royal Corps of Transport attaining the rank of Lance Corporal.
Hobbies: Pipe Bands (Ex Player) & Buffs
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Grand Tyler
Brother Robert David Goodwin ROH
Bro David was initiated in the Sir John Farrant Lodge No 282, in the Grimsby Province of the Grand Council and gained his second degree there. In July 1997 he inter-affiliated to the Donna Nook Lodge No 9003 (GLE) also in Grimsby, his 3rd and 4th degrees came in that Lodge. He is also a member of the oldest Lodge in the Province the Prince Alfred Fitties No 50. In 2006 he was Provincial Grand Primo, 2008 he was Pres of ROH Assembly, 2009 Pres. Kts Chapter and 2010- Pres Ex Co. In 2009 he received a Grand Patron (Family & Community Chest) Jewel.
Occupation: Rigging Supervisor (Retired)
Hobbies: Buffing, Bird Watching & getting away in his mobile home with his wife Ann.
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Grand Constable
Brother Keith Hood ROH
Bro Keith was initiated on 13th November 1989 in the Harry Upcher Lodge No 3553, Cromer and received his 2nd degree there. Relocated to Reading and the Royal George V Lodge no 3148 where he received his further degrees. Was Provincial Grand Primo Reading 2003 and held office as President of Examining Council, Knights Chapter and ROH Assembly. Returned to Cromer in 2004 and in 2008 became PGP of that Province. Also repeated the holding of the Presidencies in Cromer.
Occupation: Semi retired
Military Service: 24 years Royal Navy retiring as Chief Petty Officer, received Admiral’s Commendation for saving life at sea. Holds three campaign medals and LS & GCM.
Hobbies: Buffing, Charity work, Skydiving, Gardening, Snooker & Pool
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Grand Registrar
Brother Keith Bland ROH
Bro Keith was initiated in 1975, in the Earl Percy Lodge No 62, No Durham and gained his 2nd & 3rd degrees there, his 4th being in the Calrendon 3993, W Herts. All ceremonies being conducted by his late father Bro Syd Bland ROH. He has held office as PGP- 2001, Pres Ex Co – 2001, Pres Kts Chapter -2008 and of ROH Assembly -2009 all in W Herts. In 2007 he became Prov Grand Secretary and still holds that position.
Occupation: 3rd line engineer in IT support team for Fujitsu
Hobbies: Sky Diving (over 1100 jump), Precision Kite Flying; computer and motorcycling.
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Grand Alderman of Juniper
Brother Richard J Ried ROH
Bro Ric, as he is better known, was initiated in the Winston Churchill Lodge No 8717, W G No 8 Province on the 8th July 1978. He then joined the Swan Lodge No 9845, Monmouthshire, where he gained his further advancement. He was Provincial Grand Primo 1994 and has been President of Examining council twice, Knights President twice and ROH Assembly President three times. He is currently Secretary of the Swan Lodge, Examining Council and PGL. This year he is the Chairman of the South Wales Area Social Committee. Bro Ric has been married to Angel since 1975.
Occupation: Self Employed, Business partner
Hobbies: Photography, walking, caravanning, Buffs, and a West Ham Supporter.
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Grand Alderman of Benevolence
Brother Stephen R O’Connor ROH
It is regretted that no information was received by the BQJ to allow the pen picture to be compiled.
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Grand Minstrel
Brother Peter B Commons ROH
Bro Peter was initiated, on 11th December 1988, in the Pride of Dinnington Lodge No 4176, Sheffield and earned his further degrees in that Lodge. Entering PGL in 1993, he gained his first collar in 1998 and went on to become Provincial Grand Primo 2001. He has also held Presidency in Examining Council (2003) and ROH Assembly (2007). After a spell as Assistant PG Secretary he took over in 2002, when the late Bro Tom Hale ROH, GLO, 1998, died, however at the end of 2005 he resigned due to work commitments. He currently attends Escareld Lodge No 4. Bro Peter is a member of the Yorkshire Social Committee and was their President in 2007.
Occupation: HGV Driver
Hobbies: Buffing, Playing Golf (Not very Well), Bird watching, camping and travelling.
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Grand Waiter
Brother Thomas Colclough ROH
Bro Tommy was initiated in 1987 in the now defunct Phoenix Transvaal Lodge No 3656 in the Southampton Province. In his time he has been Provincial Grand Primo twice, President of Knights Chapter twice and has held the Presidency of Roll of Honour Assembly and Examining Council.
Occupation: Self Employed Businessman
Hobbies: Parachuting, Rally Driving, Long-Distance Driving and Buffing.
