The Grand Master of Masons in Nova Scotia for 2011-2012 is Most Worshipful Brother Barry S. Imber.

Born in St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London, England, and therefore a “cockney” by birth, Bro. Barry Imber grew up in North London. Attending one of the first Comprehensive Schools in London he was an active member of the drama club and for a summer season was a member of the National Youth Theatre. He studied at the College of Saint Mark and Saint John, in Chelsea, London, UK, obtaining his teacher qualification and his B.Ed from the University of Exeter in Devon, UK, in 1975. He obtained a Certificate for Teachers of the Deaf with Distinction from Manchester University in 1979. After teaching for five years in London and taking Advanced Studies in Speech and Language Development at the Institute of Education, London University, he and his wife emigrated to Nova Scotia, where he took up a position as a teacher at the residential school for the Deaf in Amherst, working for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA). During his early years in Nova Scotia he obtained an M.Ed in the Education of the Deaf from the Université de Moncton, and an M.A. in Educational Administration from St.Mary’s University, Halifax. A certified member of the Canadian Association for Educators of the Deaf and Hard Hearing (CAEDHH), Bro. Barry served terms as Maritime Regional Director, National Director, and editor of the national CAEDHH Magazine. During his tenure with APSEA he worked as a classroom teacher, art teacher, Supervisor of the Atlantic Technical Vocational Centre, Transition Services Coordinator, New Brunswick Provincial Supervisor, Nova Scotia Provincial Supervisor, and finally as Co-Director for Services for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was from this position that he retired in 2010 after 35 years as a teacher of the Deaf. It was in his supervisory position travelling to every corner of the province that he was able to visit every lodge in the Jurisdiction. An active Union member he served on the executive of the Cumberland District Local of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union for a number of years and held the office of Local President for three terms. After moving offices to Halifax, he became the President of the APSEA-DHH sub-local of the Halifax City Local of the NSTU for seven terms and was an active council delegate for thirteen years. On his retirement he received the Nova Scotia Teachers Union Local Service Award, and an Honorary Lifetime Membership as well as an Outstanding Service Award from CAEDHH.

Bro. Barry married Marion Painter while a college student in the UK in 1975. Their home is in Fort Lawrence, just outside of Amherst, an area in which they have lived since arriving in Canada in 1981. They have two children, both “Blue Nosers”; Katherine who lives in Halifax, and Jonathan, a Lieutenant in the Canadian Navy. Jonathan was Raised by his father in Alexandra Lodge No.87 and was the first Lewis to be initiated in this Jurisdiction under the age of 21 years.

Apart from his interest in Masonry, Bro. Barry enjoys playing the trumpet (badly), listening to jazz, reading 18^th-19^th century military history, pulp fiction, collecting model Napoleonic soldiers, malt whisky and travelling.

Lodge Membership: Alexandra Lodge No.87, Amherst. Affiliated member Loge la France No.138.

Initiated: 13th March 1986 Passed: 10th April 1986 Raised: 8th June 1986

Lodge Offices held: Worshipful Master - 1991, 2006 ; Senior Warden - 1990, 2005; Junior Warden - 1989, 2004; Secretary – 2007; Director of Ceremonies - 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003; Senior Deacon - 1988, 1994; Junior Deacon - 1987, 1998; Senior Steward - 1986, 1996.

Grand Lodge Offices held and committee membership: Grand Steward 1994-5; District Deputy Grand Master Cumberland District 2004-5; Grand Lecturer 2006-7, 2007-8; Junior Grand Warden 2008-9; Senior Grand Warden 2009-10; Deputy Grand Master 2010-11; Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Quebec near the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia; Board of General Purposes 2004-5, 2005-6 (alternate), 2009-11; Long Range Planning Committee 2004-5; Committee on the Grand Master’s Address 2005-6; Masonic Education Committee 2005-11, Chair 2006-8; Ad Hoc Committee on the Condition of the Order 2006-7, 2007-8; Ritual Committee 2006-10, Chair 2006-8; Ad Hoc Membership Committee 2007-9; Chair of District Alignment Committee 2009-10; Co-Editor and publisher of the Nova Scotia Freemason 1992-99

Concordant bodies: Cumberland Chapter No.13, Royal Arch; Victoria Lodge of Perfection, Keith Sovereign Chapter Rose Croix (Past Most Wise Sovereign), Nova Scotia Consistory, Halifax Valley, A.A.S.R.; Royal Order of Scotland.