Royal Arch News
On Valentine’s Day, 36 very brave Royal Arch Freemasons decided to spend this special evening away from their partners and with their Companions instead.
A most adorable evening of Royal Arch masonry was there for all that attended on Tuesday 14 February 2017 at the convocation of Thistle & Rose Chapter, No 6644 which was marked by the official visit of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, accompanied by E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. It was a special evening for E Comp Steve Seward as he witnessed his son Bro James Seward exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch, completing his journey in Pure Antient Masonry and become Comp James Seward.
Also present on the evening were E Comp Mike Coleman, Deputy Grand Superintendent and E Comp John Phillips, Past 3rd Provincial Grand Principal as well as other Excellent Companions of Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter.
The Chapter’s Principals, E Comp David Docherty, E Comp Chris Goode and E Comp Paul Seaton, led their team with some enchanting ritual. The signs were exquisitely presented by E Comp Alex Henderson. Comp David Nixon captivated those present with a solo presentation of the Symbolical Lecture. The Mystical Lecture was then delectably presented by E Comp Ken Marris, E Comp Gordon Brown and E Comp Mike Coleman. The Sojourners' work was enticingly delivered and delightfully shared between all three of them; Comp Willie Docherty, Comp John Fowler were assisted by E Comp Mike Abbott from Perseverance Chapter.
Finally, E Comp Wayne Williams presented Comp John Neal and Comp Stephen Skillen with their Grand Chapter certificates.
This was followed by a scrumptious Burns Supper and festive Board. Could there be a more perfect Valentines night?
We welcome Comp James Seward into the Royal Arch in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
The team (left to right):- E Comp Chris Goode, Haggai, E Comp David Docherty, MEZ, E Comp Wayne Williams,
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Comp James Seward, E Comp Paul Seaton, Joshua & E Comp Steve
Seward, Provinical Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies
- Written by: John Fergusson
Piscator Chapter enjoyed an excellent Installation meeting on Friday 10 February 2017 which was marked by the official visit of E Comp Mark Constant, the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal who was escorted by E Comp Jeff Chambers, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
E Comp Aaron Day was installed as MEZ, E Comp Roger Blason was installed as Haggai and E Comp Mike Howells was installed as Joshua.The quality of the ritual throughout the evening was excellent; The explanation of the robes, MEZ by E Comp David Smith, Haggai by E Comp Dr Christopher Clark and Joshua by E Comp Bob Skidmore were all presented in a very accomplished manner.
The 3rd Provincial Grand Principal presented Comp Bob Cadby with his Grand Chapter Certificate a very enjoyable and informative manner. The evening concluded with a very convivial Festive Board.
We wish the newly installed Principals a very enjoyable year in their respective offices.
The Installation team (left to right):- Back Row: E Comp Roger Blason, Haggai, E Comp Aaron Day, MEZ & E Comp Mike Howells, Joshua
Front Row: E Comp David Smith, Provincial Grand Treasurer, E Comp Bob Skidmore, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer,
E Comp Dr Chris Clark, Provincial Grand Registrar, E Comp Mark Constant, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal &
E Comp Jeff Chambers, Provinical Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies
- Written by: John Fergusson
Friday 3rd February was the first convocation of 2017 for the Chapter of St. Giles No. 8736, in which Bro John Russell was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch, completing his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. The Chapter was honoured to receive a visiting group of Companions from Montagu Chapter No. 466 of Stamford, which is an annual exchange visit between the two Chapters.
The Chapter’s Principals, E Comp Malcolm Atkins, E Comp David Docherty and E Comp John Webster, led their team for an excellent ceremony with some fine ritual. A special note must be made to E Comp David Jackson and E Comp Harry Twelvetree who stood in at short notice for the Principal Sojourner’s role so excellently. The signs were perfectly presented by E Comp David Jackson, followed by the Symbolical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by Comp Coward and E Comp David Docherty. The Mystical Lecture was very well presented by E Comp Harry Twelvetree, E Comp Mick Wren and E Comp John Webster.
Comp Eben Viljoen gave his first Royal Arch Chapter ritual with some style and confidence, as he congratulated Comp John Russell on being exalted into Royal Arch Masonry.
The evening was rounded off by the busiest Companion of the night, E Comp David Jackson as he presented Comp Eben Viljoen with his Grand Chapter Certificate. This was followed by a fantastic Burns Supper festive Board. All in all a Right Royal Arch evening.
We welcome Comp Michael Matthews into the Royal Arch in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
The team (left to right):- E Comp David Docherty, Haggai, E Comp Malcolm Atkins, MEZ,
Comp John Russell & E Comp John Webster, Joshua,
- Written by: John Fergusson
Promotions and Appointments – June 2017: 
The complete list of Companions who I intend to appoint and promote at Provincial Grand Chapter in June has now been widely circulated to Grand Officers and to the Scribe E of each Chapter.
The sharper eyed amongst you will have no doubt noticed that I intend to appoint and invest E Comp Jim Boughton as our new 2nd Provincial Grand Principal as E Comp George Clayton stands down after having given exemplary service to the Royal Arch Province and the Executive over the last three years in particular. Naturally I will talk in greater detail at our Annual Convocation but I will take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to E Comp George who has needed to endure certain minor health issues and now wishes to free up time so that any lingering problem can be addressed properly.
E Comp George was appointed as our 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in 2014 and promoted to Provincial Grand Haggai in the following year. It was a delight to see him receive his first appointment to Supreme Grand Chapter rank as Past Grand Standard Bearer in April of last year to recognise his commitment to the Royal Arch over many years and for his major contribution to Province since 2014.
In particular, he has taken responsibility for improving the Royal Arch’s communication strategy and the increased profile we have achieved on Social Media generally. In this respect, we also acknowledge the considerable input we have received from E Comp John Fergusson and between them, they can be rightly proud of the way in which they have driven the radical overhaul of the Royal Arch Web Site. Furthermore, E Comp George has been responsible for creating a regular flow of interesting news articles from all over the Province through his chosen network of correspondents and to whom we also owe a considerable debt of gratitude.
The support we have received from E Comp George to myself and other members of the Executive has been exemplary; he is a fine Royal Arch Mason and I am delighted (and somewhat relieved) that we will still have the benefit of George’s input after he has retired in all matters of Social Media to include our Web Site, Twitter, Facebook and to which I collectively and affectionately refer to as my old favourite, the Intertwit!
E Comp Jim Boughton needs no introduction of course – well known to us all as a Grand Officer both in the Craft and the Royal Arch and having recently completed his tenure as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, an office which he held and served with great distinction. He was exalted into Pemberton Chapter in Rushden in September 1987 and became First Principal of Pemberton Chapter in May 1996 before which he became a joining Member of Whytewell Chapter in October 1990 and progressed to the First Principal’s Chair in 1995.
In 2003, he was appointed active Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah and received his appointment as Past Grand Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter in 2009. Undoubtedly, he will bring a wealth of experience to the Royal Arch Executive and the Province in general and we will all share in his passion and in his energy for the Supreme Degree.
To all those Companions across the Province who will be promoted and appointed at our Annual Convocation in June, I congratulate you all on behalf of the Executive. Your preferment is deserved and well earned; enjoy your special day when it eventually arrives – I know I shall!
Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson