E. Comp Philip Bevan, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals

Proudly born and brought up in Cwm Rhondda, Phil joined the local Constabulary serving some some 36 years as a police officer and latterly as a member of support staff. Serving across South Wales in a variety of roles and concluding with a posting to the Home Office as a member of HMIC working across the UK.

Educationally, attended Rhondda County Grammar School and as a mature student graduated from the then University Of Glamorgan with honours in Police Studies.

Always having a professional interest in tackling domestic violence in society as a member of the police service and extending into his last professional role as Head of Community Safety in RCT, Phil has been on the Board of Trustees of Womens’ Aid RCT since 2013 and since 2018 holding the somewhat unique position as the first male Chair. The organisation has developed its services to include male victims. Phil is immensely proud of the dedication and professionalism his staff and their achievements.

Masonically Phil remains indebted to two revered but sadly passed Brethren – Brandon Jordan and Fred Upshall who paved the way for him into St Gwynno Lodge, Pontyclun in 1982 where he continues to hold office as Chaplain having served in most positions and taken the Chair on two occasions.

In 1983 the Naunton Davies Chapter welcomed Phil as a member. Resigning in 20.., Talygarn Chapter beckoned where his passion for the HRA took off leading him through all offices and Chairs and eventually to 12 years as Scribe E from which he retired in 2023.

At a Provincial level Phil was PGA in the Craft for almost 5 years which he considers ‘the most fascinating and challenging job’ and particularly throughout the pandemic which resulted in the award of a Grand Master’s Certificate of Commendation for which he is deeply grateful.

Successfully combining the role of PGA of HRA together, Phil is pleased to have experienced an improving confidence across the Province in the way that help and support can be delivered to our needy Brethren and dependants.

His appointment as PAGStB to UGLE in 2021 was a bitter sweet achievement. A great honour but he was not invested with his collar thanks to Covid restrictions!

An active member of several Craft Lodges, he is a founder member of the recently consecrated St John Of Jerusalem as Almoner. A role he also holds in the Lodge Of Benevolence. He also belongs to Hendre Lodge and recently became an honorary member of Talygarn Lodge.

In the HRA, he is a founder member and DC of Cwm Rhondda Chapter. He also joined the Hendre Chapter and is actively applying for membership of the Lord Swansea Chapter.

His researches have extended to the Progressive Orders and he holds Grand Rank in the Allied Masonic Degrees where he is the current District Grand DC. He is a Mark Mason and Royal Ark Mariner. Recently he joined Royal and Select Masters.

He is so looking forward to the future and his new appointment and Phil claims ‘It has only taken me 40 years to become an overnight success in Masonry! Keep the faith Brethren