Royal Arch News
Companions All,
Where does the time go – the last 12 months seem to have sped by so quickly and here we are again, approaching another Festive Season with Christmas just a matter of a few days away. So, on behalf of your Royal Arch Provincial Executive, may I take this opportunity to extend to you, to your families and to your nearest and dearest our best wishes for a Happy and Peaceful Christmas, and most importantly, for a healthy and prosperous New Year. As 2015 draws to a close, we can look back on what has been another successful and happy year for the Holy Royal Arch.
We can reflect on the record attendance we enjoyed at the Annual Convocation in June, an attendance only to be bettered by those of you who were so supportive of the visit by the Bristol Demonstration Team in September – and what a night that turned out to be. Yes, a very rewarding year made possible only by your collective and individual support, by your enthusiasm and your commitment for the Order. With my sincere thanks to you all therefore, I shall now look forward to catching up with you again during the course of 2016.
Meanwhile, enjoy the Festive season, have a great time in the company of your loved ones and may TTALGMH smile down upon you.
E Comp Wayne Edward Williams
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Friday 11 December, Cytringan Chapter, following a successful grant application to Provincial Grand Charity, donated £500 each to Lakelands Hospice, Corby and Cransley Hospice, Kettering. At the same time the Grand Charity Grants Scheme awarded a further £1000 to Lakelands Hospice.
The cheques were presented by our Grand Superintendent E Comp Wayne Williams, accompanied by E Comp Roger Hutchinson, MEZ and E Comp Andy Adamson, IPZ of Cytringan Chapter. Paul Marlow, fundraising manager at Lakeland Day Care Hospice and the Rev.Dr. John Smith a senior member at Cransley Hospice accepted the cheques, and afterwards gave our masonic members a brief history of their hospice, the particular service, and care offered to the local community. E.Comp Wayne Williams expressed his admiration to all those doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers who dedicated their skills to the hospices.
Lakelands Hospice has sent a lovely letter of thanks which can be read here
The picture on the left shows our Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams presenting the cheque to Cransley Hospice supported by E Comp Roger Hutchinson (back left) and E Comp Andy Adamson (back right)
- Written by: John Fergusson
The 24th Regular Installation meeting of this very distinguished Chapter was held on Thursday 26 November which saw the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, E Comp Wayne Williams, Installed into the First Principal's Chair, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of Bedfordshire, E Comp Bob Lovesey was installed as H and Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of Suffolk, E Comp. David Boswell was installed as J. 
Pictured above from left to right: E Comp Bob Lovesey, E Comp Graham Redman, E Comp Wayne Williams & E Comp David Boswell
Membership of this prestigious Chapter is restricted to Grand Superintendents and their Deputies only. A most interesting and informative address was given by E Comp Graham Redman, Deputy Grand Scribe E, much to the delight of all present.
Our congratulations and best wishes go to these three newly Installed Principals and other Officers, for a happy and enjoyable term in office. Congratulations are due also to E Comp Mike Coleman, Deputy Grand Superintendent of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire on being one of three newly elected members of this fine Chapter.
Pictured above right: Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman
- Written by: John Fergusson
Following his 10 very successful years in office, E Comp George Pipon Francis retired on 10th November.
To mark this special occasion, a retirement dinner was held at Freemasons' Hall in London. The invited guests were all those Grand Superintendents that the ME 2nd Grand Principal had installed during his tenure. With the exception of two who were unavoidably absent, all others, which included E Comp Wayne Williams, Grand Superintendent of the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, were in attendance. Collectively this group was known as ‘George’s Boys’. 
On arrival at the Private Apartment, the invited guests enjoyed a Champagne Reception where they were then joined by E Comp George together with his successor, ME 2nd Grand Principal Designate, E Comp Russell Race. All went on to enjoy a delightful dinner, prepared by Chef Franco, in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, which, while tinged with sadness that ME 2nd Grand Principal was retiring, celebrated his many achievements over ten very successful years.
On behalf of all those present, E Comp George was presented with a beautifully inscribed crystal bowl by E Comp Graham Glazier, Grand Superintendent of Dorset, as a token of their appreciation and affection. E Comp John Saint, Grand Superintendent of Warwickshire, and the most senior Grand Superintendent present, then went on to propose a toast which reflected on the many achievements of the ME Second Grand Principal, and in particular his huge contribution in raising the profile of the Holy Royal Arch to the high levels it enjoys today.
E Comp George Pipon Francis (left) is pictured below with the ME 2nd Grand Principal Designate, E Comp Russell Race.
- Written by: John Fergusson