It is the time of year for both Scouting and Freemasonry to honour those who have given great service to those organisations. I want to congratulate those receiving honours and awards, as well as reflect on how important it is to recognise those who work so hard for our good causes.
But for Covid-19, yesterday would have been the Annual Meeting for the Mark Province of Derbyshire. For a number of years I organised this meeting. One of the greatest pleasures I had was sending letters to the recipients of those being appointed to or promoted in Provincial grand rank. Most recipients were delighted and many were surprised. The pleasure they experienced when they processed to have their honour conferred lifted everyone at the meeting.
Just occasionally some were disappointed. Often these were the ones who spoke of “expecting promotion.” I think they missed the point. No one has a right to an honour. They are not given for long service and are not automatic. They are given for good service, especially that “over and above the norm”, and are in the gift and prerogative of the fount of honour, whether that be the head of a Masonic Order, the Chief Scout or, in the case of national honours, The Queen. To expect them is presumptuous and ultimately leads to disappointment.
Over the years I have been fortunate to have received many Scouting and Masonic honours and awards. I have been pleased, in fact delighted, in every case, largely because they were unexpected. In fact, in all but one instance they came as a complete surprise. They told me that my work is seen and valued. The effect has been a renewed and even deeper sense of commitment. I have never undertaken any work to get an honour but having been honoured I have tended to give more, so that I may be worthy of the honour.
Today I wrote a letter in support of a nomination for a Queen’s honour for a Freemason who has given many years of great service to Scouting and his community. In my opinion, he deserves wider recognition.
A little while ago someone must have taken the time to nominate me for a Masonic honour. I don’t know who it was and probably never shall. However, on Wednesday I shall receive a Masonic promotion that I never expected would come my way.
This came as a complete surprise and told me that my work (I presume my efforts in relation to membership development) is seen and is valued. That the promotion came from “the centre” means a great deal to me. The response from those who know of my work has been overwhelming and deeply humbling. By the simple act of nominating me, someone (supported of course by those who approved the nomination) has given me a great deal of pleasure and encouraged me to do even more.
So, if you see someone doing good work “over and above the norm”, please take a little time to thank them or, better still, to nominate them for an honour. It is a great way to recognise people and to let them know they are appreciated.
This weekend would have been the National Scout Service at Windsor Castle, to which Queen’s Scouts and recipients of Scouting’s highest honours and awards are invited to attend. This Wednesday and Thursday would have been the Investiture Meetings of United Grand Lodge of England and Supreme Grand Chapter. For the second year running, so many people are missing the big celebration of their awards and honours.
Congratulations to all those Scouts and adult members of Scouting honoured this week by the Chief Scout. Congratulations also to those due to receive appointments to or promotion in grand rank from the Grand Master and First Grand Principal in United Grand Lodge or Supreme Grand Chapter. I hope that you can celebrate, despite not being able to enjoy the big occasion. I know I shall be doing so!
Lastly, a sincere thank you to the unknown Brother who nominated me for my honour. You really don’t know how happy you, by your thoughtful act, have made me.
Onwards and upwards!
W Bro. Tony Harvey, PJGD 
Congratulations on your promotion Tony – very well deserved. I’m not quite sure of the rank though – is that a Grand Deacon badge?
Best wishes,
Matt
Thanks Matt
Yes, I am to be promoted to PJGD on Wednesday.
Tony
Congratulations my brother, you deserve this honour.
Congratulations Tony, I fully support and agree with your comments. To be honoured, is not just for what you may have done, but also for what we hope you will continue to do. Well deserved.
Ron H.
Congratulations on your promotion you must have deserved the honour. Mel Dumsday
Congratulations!!
CONGRATULATIONS, I am sure well deserved.
Keep up the Great Work and enjoy your new position.
Insperational , and hard work does pay off.
Bro. Randy D. Beckley, Hillcrest Lodge # 594
Hamilton B District. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
May the G.A.O.T.U be with you and yours.
Many congratulations to you too Tony. Thank you for all the talks that you have given on so many subjects connected to Freemasonry. We really do appreciate your contribution in helping us think and learn more about the Craft, the Royal Arch and Progressive Orders.
Dear Tony, I congratulate you too and so richly deserved. I agree on the humility aspect and total surprise. That was for me too and the aspect of more service to our wonderful organisation is always there. Congratulations and thanks for all that you do, fraternally, Alan.
My dear Bro. Tony,
I am thrilled to hear of your promotion in Grand Rank. Congratulations, well done. If anyone deserves such recognition, it is surely you!
Thank you Haiko, that is most kind of you.
Tony
My dear Bro. Tony,
I am thrilled to hear of your promotion in Grand Rank. Congratulations, well done. If anyone deserves such recognition, it is surely you!
Haiko Ruperti-Campbell, Cape Town, S.A.
Do not stop Tony. Consider such honor like a next but not last step
Congratulations Bro Tony on a well deserved promotion.
Hi Tony. Many thanks for your congratulations and may I offer you mine too. You have done an enormous amount over a considerable number of years and this reward as a mark of recognition is definitely well earned. I totally agree with your thoughts in the article – it is most satisfying to be recognised and is an encouragement to do more, even though in most cases, that is not the reason for doing it in the first place. Thank you for all that you do, and I look forward to the next time we are able to meet. S&F, Mike
Thank you Mike. Enjoy Wednesday, however you celebrate. Look forward to seeing you as soon as we can. Tony
Tony,great news regarding your honours of being promoted to GRAND RANK,SUCH AN HONOUR WELL DESERVED,BEST WISHES AND HOPE YOU ENJOY A BETTER YEAR HOPING WE ALL GET BACK+RETURN TO OUR FREEMASONRY WE LOVE SO MUCH,ONCE AGAIN WELL DONE,ON BEHALF OF MYSELF+MY WIFE DOROTHY,JOE CRABTREE,NEWBYBRIDGE, FURNESS,WEST LANCASHIRE.
Dear Joe
This so kind and thoughtful of you. Thank you.
Tony
Congratulations Tony, well deserved.
Thank you Geoffrey
Congratulation Tony, it is always good to see the good guys getting promoted.
Thank you Chuck. Congratulations on your preferment today. I look forward to meeting in the future. Tony