The following is the text of an email received from the Most Excellent Second Grand Principal, George Pipon Francis, following his visit to the Chapter of Installed First Principals No 3422 on 5 September when he received a cheque for £60,176 in support of the Royal College of Surgeons Appeal.

It is reproduced with the kind permission of both parties.

	Most Excellent Second Grand Principal George Pipon Francis

From: George Francis

Sent: 27 September 2013

To: E Comp Mike Green

Cc: Wayne Williams

Subject: Northants and Hunts Royal Arch Appeal

 

Dear Companion Mike, I am writing to thank you personally for your outstanding work as Charity Steward for N+H on the Royal College of Surgeons Appeal, and to say how much I personally appreciate the huge efforts you and the Companions have made towards what I am sure you agree is such a worthy cause.

 

The Royal Arch is not normally involved in large scale fund raising, as you know, but the Bicentenary has offered us a chance to provide a legacy to the future in a very specific way, which will potentially benefit all of us and our families to a greater or lesser extent over the decades to come. I don’t expect that in the Royal Arch we will have another central campaign of this nature during our respective Masonic careers, so it has been all the more important that this Appeal showed our commitment and generosity in the way that N+H has demonstrated.

 

Thank you for all your hard work and persuasive skills, and those you have motivated to ensure such a successful result; I hope that on 16th October at Supreme G Chapter we can publish a provisional result which will be at least twice our original target, and a tribute to all those key people like yourself who have contributed to such a tremendous outcome. Meanwhile, please enjoy a well earned rest from fund raising, and have some fun with your Royal Arch masonry instead.

 

With many thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you on the 16th or on my next visit to Northants and Hunts.

 

Yours sincerely and fraternally

 

George Francis

Second Grand Principal

 

The following is the text of a letter sent on 23 September 2013 by the MEGS, E Comp Wayne Williams, to the Scribes E of all Holy Royal Arch Chapters in the Province

Our own Provincial celebration came and went so quickly and, inevitably, the memories of such a successful evening at Northampton will soon begin to fade gradually into the mists of time.

But before so doing, I welcome the opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to each and every Companion in this Province for the magnificent support so readily given over the last three years as we set about raising the wonderful sum of £60,176 as our contribution to the Appeal launched by Supreme Grand Chapter in aid of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Two further RCS Research Fellowships will be funded in the name of the Holy Royal Arch to mark our Bicentenary in a more permanent way as the celebrations in London and other Provinces come and go by the end of the year.

For those of our Companions who were at Sheaf Close on 5^th September marking our own Provincial celebration, again my sincere thanks for your attendance which was much appreciated by us all, and not least by the ME Second Grand Principal, E Comp George P Francis, who once again honoured us with his presence in support of such a special occasion for Province.

I have already received a letter of sincere appreciation from the team at the Royal College of Surgeons which I will circulate to all Chapters together with a formal letter of thanks from the Second Grand Principal which will shortly be forwarded from Great Queen Street. Meanwhile, E Comp George Francis was quick to respond in forwarding to us an email in which he quotes:

“It was a great start to the new year for me and such an amazing Appeal result, and indeed, such an evening for the Province. A proper letter will be coming to you shortly, with our grateful thanks and I hope that this can be communicated to the whole Province; every Companion deserves credit.

Thank you again for a memorable evening, a great ceremony and a gigantic result for the Royal College. Well done.”

Companions, once again we have exceeded all expectations of us and once more, we have enhanced the reputation of this Royal Arch Province to even greater heights. The credit is yours entirely and I am just grateful that both I and the Provincial Executive are allowed to share in that success with you. 

Formal letters of thanks will emanate from Supreme Grand Chapter, probably after the Bicentenary celebrations in London on the 16 October.  Meanwhile, the Second Grand Principal, E Comp George Francis has again written to our MEGS stating that

E Comp Nigel Brown GScrE, as Secretary to the Royal College of Surgeons Appeal, will be writing to all Provinces immediately after 16th October but meanwhile I am still absolutely delighted with the huge result you have all achieved in N&H and in the meanwhile I am writing to Mike Green with many thanks again.

In 1996 representatives from the three Chapters in Peterborough decided to set up a more formal committee to primarily raise funds to maintain the highest standard of regalia and equipment used by them. During the early days quiz nights, musical events and many other social occassions were held and funds accumulated for the committee to purchase three new Principal's robes and soon after three new sceptres. At one of the gatherings these were demonstrated by the three Principals of the time.

Following the move to Ellindon in 2001 the committee became more active and planned ahead to improve and upgrade the Chapter room which had started to look tired.  Folllowing the installation of the much needed air conditioning unit and improved lighting it was agreed to produce Honour Boards to record and recognise the Past First Principal's of the three Chapters, St. Peter's 442, Gildenburgh 2533 and Dr Oliver 3964.

A very willing team has assisted in making a Scribe's/Treasurer's Desk, and blocking up disused windows and preparing them for plastering and final decorating. The latter has been professionally executed by Eompanion Robin Johnstone, it also included the White Pedestal.

The re-fixing of the honours boards and dado rails including carpet cleaning and binding are futher tasks which have now been completed during the recent recess.

During this period it was decided to replace the rather dilapidated twelve ensigns.  The services of an expert needlewoman were sought for a quotation for the work involved. Mrs Dorothy Sharman of Empingham proved to be an excellent choice and the work was put in hand. Also at this time a generous legacy was given to the Dr Oliver Chapter by the late E Comp Ron Pywell.  This enabled the committee to recommend the making of the five main banners which have now been completed and are ready for use.

The PJCC would like to place on record their appreciation of the generous co-operation of the board of Directors of Peterborough Masonic Hall Limited and for their assistance and understanding.  They are confident they have a Chapter Room of which they can be truly proud.