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Provincial Charity Steward
P r o v i n c ia l C h a ri t y S t e w a r d

MEET THE NEW PROVINCIAL GRAND
M E E T T H E N E W P R O V IN C I A L G R A N D
CHARITY STEWARD
C HAR I T Y S T EW AR D
by W.Bro. David Badger
b y W . B r o . D a v i d B a d g e r
From his beginnings in Dagenham, Chris Hicks left university as a scientist after studying
biology with microbiology, with the aim of curing people. But he soon realised he was
better at selling the drugs rather than discovering them! This led to a 40-plus-year
career in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry.
Chris was initiated into Thomas Ralling Lodge 2508 in May 1995, the first candidate
following the Lodge’s Centenary, by his uncle, Bill Emmerson. He has yet to miss a
meeting, having notched up 107.

He was Worshipful Master in 2001 and again in 2019, the Lodge’s 125th Anniversary, and
due to Covid suspensions, he remained in the Chair until this year. He was appointed a
Provincial Grand Steward in 2003 and received the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand
Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) in 2016.
In the Royal Arch, Chris was Exalted into Thomas Ralling Chapter 2508 in March 1999
and was 1st Principal in the Chapter’s Centenary Year of 2007 when he was appointed
as a Provincial Grand Steward. He was appointed to Grand Rank as PAGDC in 2020.

In other orders, Chris was Advanced and Elevated in Boleyn Castle 998 Mark and Royal
Ark Mariners (RAM) Lodges in 2003. He was appointed ADC in Grand
Mark in 2020 and received RAM Grand Rank in 2016. In Royal and Select
Masters, he was Chosen as a Select Master in Langdon Hills Council 208 in
2009 and became a Grand Manciple in 2019. He also holds 30th Degree in
Rose Croix via De Vere Chapter 831, and is in the Royal Order of Scotland,
Province of North Thames.

As a side note, Chris is involved in the “Ancient and Noble Order of the Mystic Shrine”, more commonly known as the
Shriners and was the UK Shine Club Recorder. This order is also all about charity, and the Shriners run 27 hospitals free
for children in the US, Canada and Philippines. In his “spare time”, Chris is a qualified cricket umpire and an average
club cricketer.

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A Ch
A Charity Phoenix Arises from the Ashes of Burntwood
In Hutton, on Tuesday 6th April, the new Charity Stewards Lodge arose like a Phoenix from the ashes, to be called Burntwood
Lodge (The Charity Stewards’ Lodge) No. 8016. And, with 14 Essex Charity Stewards joining on day one, the transformation
was complete.
The new joining members were treated to a wonderful Installation from the Burntwood team as Marc Gunnell installed his
nephew, Antony Gunnell, into the chair of the newly named lodge. And the ceremony happened under the watchful eye of
the new WM’s father, Chris Gunnell, the Lodge Secretary. So, a Brother (brother and uncle) Installed Brother (nephew and son)
with a Brother (brother and father) watching on!
Now “the Charity Stewards Lodge” can progress and develop, enabling the new Provincial
Charity Steward team to disseminate news, information and ideas to their counterparts in
Lodges and Chapters right across the Province.
The Lodge will continue to meet at Hutton this year, but in 2023, will start to travel around
Essex. At each meeting, there will be opportunities to hear of new initiatives, ideas and ways
to raise funds. There will also be presentations from charities, as well as news of the MCF and
Provincial initiatives.
The Lodge is looking for more joining members, and there is at least another half-dozen who
have expressed a wish to join. Being part of the Lodge will allow brethren to be part of an
exciting new initiative in the Province and put them at the forefront of Charity projects.
All Charity Stewards will be invited to attend all its meetings as self-payers. Summonses will
be sent to them around three weeks prior, and planned agenda items will be publicised well in
advance for any other interested brethren.
The next meeting of Burntwood Lodge (the Charity Stewards’ Lodge) will be on Tuesday 7th
June at Hutton.
The Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Chris Hicks, will give an update on the 2022 Festival,
the Provincial Ukraine Appeal and other initiatives for the year, and there will be a presentation
from a local charity.
So keep an eye out for future topics, and Summonses from the Charity Stewards Lodge!