Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
A successful grant application to Provincial Grand Charity enabled Cytringan Royal Arch Chapter to present a bumper cheque for £900 to The Kettering & District Charitable Medical Trust on 12 July 2016. On application, the Provincial Grand Charity Trustees kindly supported Cytringan Chapter's £600 donation with a further £300.
The Kettering & District Charitable Medical Trust was set up in 1978, and from donations and legacies, it twice yearly provides money to buy medical equipment in local hospitals, hospices, GP surgeries and the Air Ambulance service. With this money they have over the years purchased ECG machines, Fibro scans, OTC machines, X-ray equipment, blood pressure monitors, dermatoscopes, and even mattresses and wheelchairs.
The cheque was presented by our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, accompanied by E Comp Roger Hutchinson, MEZ of Cytringan Chapter. It was accepted on behalf of the Medical Trust by its Chairman Robert Smith and their treasurer E Comp Gareth Ogden.
MEZ Roger Hutchinson had a serious operation at Kettering Hospital in 2015, which included several weeks of recovery, and it was at his request that the Chapter, with the support of the Companions, should make this donation. Robert Smith expressed his sincere thanks for the donation and confirmed it would be put to good use.
Pictured above (left to right): Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, Robert Smith, E Comp
Roger Hutchinson & E Comp Gareth Ogden.
- Written by: John Fergusson
End of Season Reflections
Another Masonic year has drawn to a close with our Annual Convocation towards the end of June just past. With our new ME Second Grand Principal, E Comp Russell Race, as our principal Guest, it was a fitting end to another thoroughly enjoyable and successful year.
Preparations for the new season 2016/2017 are already well advanced with early focus on our First Principals’ Chapter who stage their first meeting at Peterborough on September 1st. On that occasion, we shall be hosting as our Guest Speaker the Grand Director of Ceremonies for both Supreme Grand Chapter and Grand Lodge, E Comp Oliver Lodge TD. An interesting evening is in store therefore!
Before we embark on the new season ahead and to respond to one or two questions raised recently regarding our positioning in Freemasonry and for the benefit of our younger members, let’s just recap. When the two opposing Grand Lodges (the Antients and the Moderns) came together in December 1813 under the Act of Union, it was declared that Pure Antient Masonry into which we were all initiated consists of just three Degrees and no more – the Degree of the Entered Apprentice, the Degree of the Fellow Craft and the Master Masons’ Degree, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch. Now that’s pretty emphatic! The Holy Royal Arch therefore is the fourth phase of Pure Antient Masonry after the three Degrees of Craft; it is not the completion of the Third Degree as some might innocently have you believe but it is the completion of Pure Antient Masonry, the very completion of Craft itself. Under the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England therefore, the proper course for every candidate’s Masonic journey should always be through the three Craft Degrees of Pure Antient Masonry, to include unquestionably the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch as the fourth phase, perhaps after a short interlude.
Some refer to the fourth regular step in Freemasonry which you will only find in the domain of the Mark Master Masons’ Degree – another fine Order in Freemasonry which comes highly recommended and to which you may wish to aspire in due course. You will find it another advancement on your journey of Masonic discovery.
E Comp Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
Provincial Grand Chapter 2016 Convocation
The annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter on Thursday 23 June 2016 was, yet again, another special occasion. It was, as has become the norm, very well attended and the occasion was graced by the attendance of the ME 2nd Grand Principal, E Comp Russell Race, making his first visit to the Province since his installation in November 2015. There were a further 70 guests from other Provinces including no less than 13 Grand Superintendents.
After the appointments and promotions had been made, the ME 2nd Grand Principal was invited to address the Convocation. During his address, he was particularly keen to stress the importance of membership numbers and that we all need to do our bit to ensure that we look after and retain Companions in our Chapters. He also noted that this Province enjoys a strong, healthy relationship with the Craft and how valuable such a relationship is for the Holy Royal Arch. During the course of his own address, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent thanked all of those Active Provincial Officers who had supported him over the course of this season. He took time express his thanks to E Comp Barry Hadley for his superb contribution in the Provincial office over the last 10 years and wished him well as Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. E Comp Tony Greene stood down as Provincial Grand Treasurer after 11 years and his dedication to ensuring the Province’s finances were well run was acknowledged too. E Comp John Payne, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, and his team were congratulated for the excellent way in which they ensured the Convocation ran smoothly.
The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent advised the Companions present that he had presented his Certificate of Meritorious Service to E Comp Stan Wilford earlier in the week with his Executive team. He spoke very warmly about E Comp Stan and said that this well deserved award reflected an above and beyond contribution over a significant number of years.
During the course of the Festive Board, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent made a special presentation of an engraved Crystal Decanter to the ME 2nd Grand Principal to mark his first visit to the Province.
Below: ME 2nd Grand Principal, E Comp Russell Race, replying to his toast and pictured with our Provincial Executive.
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent’s Certificate of Meritorious Service Award
Presentation to Excellent Companion Stan Wilford – PGStB
On Monday 20 June 2016, on the final run-up to the annual convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter, the MEGS, E Comp Wayne Williams, together with his Executive, was delighted to travel to Wellingborough, in order to present this very special award to E Comp Stan at his home in Wellingborough.
It would be extremely difficult to find a more deserving recipient of this prestigious honour. E Comp Stan’s glittering masonic career began some 65 years ago on being initiated into the John Pyel Lodge No. 5195 in 1952. He then went on to be Exalted into the Wellingborough Chapter No. 737 in 1965. Having been the recipient of a Royal Arch Jubilee Certificate in September 2015, marking his 50 years of exemplary service to the Holy Royal Arch, this award reflects his commitment, dedication, and unfailing encouragement he has always shown to younger and less experienced Companions.
He is admired, respected, and held in such high regard by his peers and indeed by all those who enjoy the privilege of knowing him. On presenting the award, the citation was formally read out by the PrGScE Designate, E Comp David Brown, in a most commendable manner. Thanks to his wife Jessie, this presentation came as a complete surprise to E Comp Stan who clearly enjoyed his very special morning. E Comp Stan, for health reasons, will unfortunately be unable to attend Provincial Grand Chapter, but there is little doubt that he will, on Thursday, be quietly raising a glass of something rather special, in celebration of his richly deserved preferment and, of course, to the very good health of his many friends and Companions.
Pictured below our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams presents E Comp Stan with his certificate and his wife, Jessie,
with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
