Ex Comp Michael Sydney Snowball, MA DipTh was appointed and installed as Third Provincial Grand Principal on 26th August 2009

He was exalted into Universities Chapter No 2352 and served as their
First Principal in 1995 and 1998

In 2000 he was appointed to the office of
Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah

In 2007 he was appointed to the office of Past Grand Standard Bearer

Michael was born at Whickham on Tyneside, but lived all his life in Felling just outside of Gateshead until his Ordination.  He was educated at Dame Allan’s Boys School, Newcastle.  Leaving school he trained as a Cost Accountant with the British Federation of Master Printers, until he went to Durham University to train as a priest in the Church of England.  He married Cynthia in 1971 and they have two children, Naomi and Rachel, and two grandchildren, Emily and Joseph

Soon to retire (September 15th 2009) from his role as a parish priest at Brompton with Deighton, North Yorkshire, Michael is well known throughout the Province of Durham from many years service as a Chaplain in the Craft and other Masonic orders

In the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham he was Assistant Provincial Grand Chaplain in 1990 and 1991, Deputy Chaplain from 1992 to 2002, and since his appointment in 2003 has been the Provincial Grand Chaplain, a position he still holds

In Grand Lodge he was appointed Past Assistant Grand Chaplain in 2003

In the Mark Degree he was Assistant and Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain from 19984 to 2001, and since 2002 has been the Provincial Grand Chaplain

In the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons he was appointed Assistant Grand Chaplain in 2002, and held the office of Deputy Chaplain from 2007 to 2009, an office that took him all over this country as well as abroad

Michael is also a Knight Templar, a 30th Degree Rose Croix Mason,
a W Knight of the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St. John the Evangelist, in which order he is Divisional High Prelate, a member of the Royal and Select Masters, as well as being a Holder of Grand Rank in the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariner

Outside of Freemasonry, Michael’s interests have included Long Distance Walking, Athletics, and Rugby.  He likes going to the theatre, especially to see and hear the spectacle of Opera, of which he is an avid supporter

Having always held Royal Arch Masonry in high esteem, indeed, as his love in Masonry, Michael is looking forward to the years that lie ahead, to the challenges that face Royal Arch Masonry at this time, and hopes that he can instil some of his love and enthusiasm for the Order that it may grow and go from strength to strength