Royal Arch News
Perseverance Chapter 455 Convocation – 29 February 2016
Leap Years come around once every four years, and on Leap Year Night, Monday 29 February, those present at Perseverance Chapter No 455, witnessed a convocation the like of which would surely not be seen again for at least another four years. The evening comprised firstly, of a wonderful exaltation ceremony in which Brother Mark Whitehead completed his journey through Pure Antient Freemasonry, then secondly by Comp Pat Montgomery being belatedly installed as MEZ. Present in an official capacity was the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, accompanied by Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. E Comp John Payne. Also in attendance were the Deputy Grand Superintendent. E Comp Mike Coleman, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal. E Comp George Clayton, together with a good contingent of Grand and Provincial Grand Officers.
The Exaltation. The Three Principals, E Comp Bob Watts, E Comp Brian Willis and E Comp Balbir Lotay led an excellent ceremony which saw several officers produce outstanding work. The Principal Sojourner, E Comp Tony Albrecht along with 1st Assistant Sojourner, Comp Malcolm Taylor-Griffiths together with 2nd Assistant Sojourner Comp Peter Robinson led Bro Whitehead through his exaltation ceremony in a most exemplary manner. The signs were then presented by E Comp William Caswell, followed by the Mystical Lecture, presented with great style and flair, by E Comp Mike Coleman, E Comp John Wills and E Comp Phil Litchfield.
Above our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams is pictured with the Principals of the Chapter
The Installation. It was so good to see that E Comp Pat Montgomery was now sufficiently well to be belatedly installed as MEZ following a sudden illness that had prevented him being able to attend his original planned installation in November 2015. Last year’s MEZ, E Comp Bob Watts, having extended his term of office for a few months, went on to install his successor, E Comp Pat, with great warmth and brilliance before finally being installed as IPZ. E Comp Tony Albrecht went on to do a terrific job of presenting the Robes and Sceptre to the newly installed MEZ in a most excellent fashion.
A thoroughly entertaining Festive Board followed which was enjoyed by all, and at which the MEGS E Comp Wayne Williams formally welcomed Perseverance Chapter’s newest Companion, now, Companion Mark Whitehead, into the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.
Above: Our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams talks with Comp Mark Whitehead, Perseverance Chapter's newest member
This Chapter really made the best use of the extra day in the month of February, so much so that we all need to make note of the next time that they will hold a meeting on 29 February ….. 2044!
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro David Burton, in his capacity as Second Principal in Gildenburg Chapter No 2533 meets with E Comp Nick Cesare, MEZ of Gildenburg Chapter in a dress rehearsal for the next meeting of the Chapter at Ellindon Masonic Hall in Peterborough. At this next meeting, the Chapter will welcome E Comp George Clayton, Second Provincial Grand Principal on his first official visit to Gildenburg Chapter.
- Written by: Rob Taylor
At the invitation of the Centre with Unity Chapter No: 1637, our Royal Arch Demonstration Team performed “How and Why the Royal Arch” at the Harrow District Masonic Centre on Thursday 25 February. They were accompanied by our own Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams. The team from Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire were warmly welcomed on arrival by the Pro Provincial Grand Master and ME Grand Superintendent of Middlesex, E Comp Alastair Mason, and members of his Executive.
The Chapter meeting was well advanced but when concluded, over 70 Companions and invited Brethren then retired to the adjacent Temple in which our demonstration was presented and delivered to a very receptive and appreciative audience. Questions were later addressed by the two Grand Superintendents present before we all retired to an excellent Craft Festive Board. Our Team of E Comps Owen Davison, Barry Weigleb, Steve Squires, Trevor Cook, Hywel Parry-Jones, Peter Baker and Bob Watts are to be congratulated on their informative, yet highly entertaining performance which, from later feedback received, did a great deal to raise the profile of the Holy Royal Arch in general and stimulate a better awareness amongst those non-Royal Arch Masons present in particular.
Our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams pictured above with E Comp Alastair Mason – Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent and Pro Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Middlesex
- Written by: John Fergusson
DR OLIVER CHAPTER No. 3964
On 23 February 2016, Dr Oliver Chapter in Peterborough was honoured by the presence of the Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant, escorted by Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Tony Wynn. They witnessed the Exaltation of W Bro Clive Lane into the Holy Royal Arch who has now completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry and become Comp Clive Lane.
The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams was also present in a private capacity, fulfilling a promise he had previously made to Comp Lane.
Pictured below from left to right: E Comp Tom Webster, E Comp Paul Hoffmann, E Comp Wayne Williams, Comp Clive Lane, E Comp Mark Constant, E Comp Malcolm Pegg, E Comp Tony Wynn.
- Written by: John Fergusson