Outgoing City Grand Master says thank you

Thanking the officers and brethren for their co-operation, support and unstinting support during his five-years in office, Mr Wray particularly paid tribute to the work of the Deputy City Grand Master, James Hetherington, and said he was “delighted” that Bro Hetherington had been appointed to the post of the new City Grand Master.

“In wishing him all the best I want to say that I know he will move the City Grand Lodge on to another level,” Mr Wray said.

Reflecting on his tenure at the top, Mr Wray said:

“When I took over the City Grand Lodge it was in need of leadership to bring it into a more modern outlook, but that had to be achieved without detracting from the historic and cultural principles of the organisation. I believe I have achieved this and the City Grand Lodge is in a better place now than when I took it over,” he said.

“I certainly think as an organisation we are more forward looking; forward thinking, and we now occupy a very good place within the Grand Lodge of Ireland and I am happy to say that upon handing over we can proudly attest that we are one of the best City or County Lodges anywhere in Ireland, and that is down to the hard work and dedication of the team which worked with me over the past five years,” he said.

Mr Wray said the members of the City Grand Lodge were always looking for new ideas to push the organisation forward, and in doing so have increasingly sought to involve all sections of the community, and bring them on board.

“We recognise that there are still areas where there are people who do not share our views, nevertheless, we remain committed to working with the community on every level to achieve civil and religious liberty for all,” he said.

“IN stepping down as City of Londonderry Grand Master I want to take this opportunity to wish my successor James all the very best as he takes over as Grand Master and I want to assure him of my support and continued friendship as he settles into the post.

“I know that he will do well as he takes the City Lodge forward and I am looking forward to serving with him during the UK City of Culture year in 2013, when I know the City Grand Lodge brethren at every level will be pulling out the stops to ensure that the City Grand Lodge is shown off to its best advantage with a programme of activities and events that will underscore the positive attributes of the City Grand Orange Lodge and the important contribution the organisation makes to the life of the city,” he said.

Although Mr Wray has stepped back as City Grand Master, he has since been appointed to the demanding role of Press and Public Relations Officer for the City Grand Orange Lodge as the city gears up for its year as UK City of Culture.