Royal Arch News
On Monday 4 April, Companions of Eleanor Cross Chapter 1764 installed their Three Principals for the ensuing year. E Comp Kevin Corcoran was installed as MEZ, E Comp John Fergusson moved up to Haggai, and E Comp Michael Pepper was duly installed as Joshua. Present in an official capacity was Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman accompanied by Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Steve Seward.
All present appreciated the work by all the Principals, the IPZ, E Comp Merrick Bowles installed his successor in very sincere and warm manner. E Comp Trevor Sherman presented the First Principal's Robes and Sceptres in a most commendable way, followed by E Comp Geoff Willis who presented Haggai's Robes and Sceptres and E Comp Ken Briers who presented Joshua's Robes and Sceptres.
E Comp Jeff Lowe presented E Comp Merrick Bowles with his IPZ Jewel in the most dignified and moving manner.
The evening concluded with a wonderful Festive Board.
Above (left to right): IPZ, E Comp Merrick Bowles, E Comp John Fergusson, E Comp Kevin Corcoran, E Comp Michael
Pepper, Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman, Provincial Asst Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp
Steve Seward, Provincial Grand Principal Sojourner, E Comp Tony Albrecht & E Comp Geoff Willis.
- Written by: John Fergusson
The day was April Fool’s day, but the occasion was anything but.
On 1 April 2016 at Corby Masonic Complex, the Provincial Grand Chapter Team of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire came out in force to the Chapter of St. Giles No. 8736. The evening’s Convocation saw Brother Eben Viljoen exalted into the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch and complete his journey through Pure Antient Masonry to become Companion Eben Viljoen, with a little more “Pomp and Ceremony” than would normally be the case.
At the start of the evening The Three Principals, E Comp Jack C. Summerfield, E Comp Malcolm Atkins and E Comp David Docherty received the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams accompanied by E Comp John Payne, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Also present was the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman, The Second Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp George Clayton and The Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant, along with 18 distinguished Companions holding Grand Chapter Rank and Acting Provincial Rank in a magnificent display of ceremonial splendour.
The Three Principals Of Chapter of St Giles pictured with the Provincial team led by our ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams.
The Three Principals led an excellent ceremony which saw several officers produce some outstanding work. The 1st and 2nd Assistant Sojourners, Comp Garth Coward and Comp Paul McGregor led Companion Viljoen through his exaltation ceremony with great style. The signs were presented by E Comp Arthur Byles followed by the Mystical Lecture, presented in a commendable manner by E Comp Harry Twelvetree, E Comp Mick Wren and E Comp John Webster. It was particularly nice to see the other two Candidates from this season Comp John McMann and Comp Chris Vickers give the readings.
Chapter of St Giles Newest Companiont is pictured above (left to right): E Comp Jack Summerfield, Comp Eben Viljoen
and our ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Wililams
With 80 attending the convocation and over 70 sitting down to an excellent and entertaining Festive Board there was a great sense of occasion. In his reply to his toast Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Wayne Williams advised that he was pleased to see The Chapter of St. Giles continue to go from strength to strength on each of his recent visits to the Corby Chapter, and advised Comp Eben that he will never witness a better ceremony than the one that he had seen that evening. Everyone in attendance had clearly made a WISE decision to attend, and no-one made FOOLS of themselves!
- Written by: John Fergusson
The 2016 Appointments and Promotions to Supreme Grand Chapter Rank have now been published and circulated around Province – they will already be known to many therefore but may I, on behalf of the Royal Arch Province, formally extend congratulations on a First Appointment to:
E Comp George Clayton of Eleanor Cross Chapter in Northampton who received his first appointment to Past Grand Standard Bearer. George is well known to many across the Province as the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal and his contribution to the success of this Royal Arch Province is greatly appreciated.
And a well earned promotion to:
E Comp Michael Coleman of Perseverance Chapter in Kettering on his promotion to Past Grand Sword Bearer. Mike, of course, has been part of the Provincial Executive team since 2011, first as 2nd Provincial Grand Principal and more recently as Deputy Grand Superintendent. Again, his contribution and commitment to the Royal Arch has been exemplary and his promotion is richly deserved.
To them both, I extend my personal congratulations and best wishes from all throughout the Province.
E Comp W E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
ST IVO CHAPTER INSTALLATION – 9th March
On an extremely wet day, the like of which hasn’t been seen for many a year, members of St Ivo Chapter 2684 installed their Three Principals for the ensuing year. E Comp Esmond Edwards, after serving as DC for ten years, had the honour for the third time of being installed as MEZ of this very fine Chapter. Comp Richard Anderson moved up to H and Comp Jeremy Allen was installed as J.
All present appreciated the excellent work by those taking part in the ceremony, the IPZ particularly being commended on the very capable and sincere manner in which he installed his successor. Particularly pleasing was to see Companions David Evans and Barry Smethurst invested as Principal and 1st Ass Sojourners respectively, the 2ndAss being unavoidably absent. So good to see all Sojourners in progression which bodes well for foreseeable future of this vibrant Chapter.
Present in an official capacity was 2nd Provincial Grand Principal George Clayton accompanied by PrAGDC Tony Winn, together with several Grand and Provincial Grand Officers. The evening concluded with an excellent Festive Board, much enjoyed and appreciated by all present on this most enjoyable, yet very stormy evening.
The newly Installed Principals of St Ivo Chapter pictured with the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal
left to right: E Comp Tony Winn, E Comp Richard Anderson, E Comp Esmond Edwards,
E Comp Jeremy Allen and E Comp George Clayton.
- Written by: John Fergusson