Provincial News
- Written by: Simon Key
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A wonderful day was enjoyed at Grand Lodge on Saturday the 25th March 2017 by over 1,200 Masons, partners and friends from around the Province to launch our Tercentenary celebrations.
View from the front of the Grand Temple prior to the commencement of the 2nd Degree Ceremony (click picture to view full size)
The day started in the Grand Temple with a fascinating presentation by Diane Clements, Library and Museum Director, providing an overview of events covering the 300 years since the formation of The United Grand Lodge of England and also the history of the magnificent Freemasons Hall building.
Diane Clements, UGLE Library and Museum Director, giving her presentation
In the afternoon, a superb Second Degree ceremony was conducted in the Grand Temple under the banner of The Three Counties Lodge number 9278 and included 29 Worshipful Masters of the year from our Lodges. This was a significant event for the Province as it was the largest ceremony ever to take place in our history.
Panoramic view of the Grand Temple prior to the commencement of the Tercentenary 2nd Degree Ceremony (click picture to view full-size)
The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes, commented -
The fantastic support from all around the Province helped to make this a truly unique day and one that will remain in our memories for years to come. I would like to thank all members of the Tercentenary organising committee for their hard work and in particular, WBros William Diggins, Andy Moore and Chris Mullen. We now look forward to our next major event, with the Peterborough Parade and Cathedral Service in June.
The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes; Past Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Brian Smith; Past Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Barrie Hall; Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Trevor Boswell; Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, WBro David Burton and WBro Charles Bennett; Past Assistant Grand Master and Master of The Three Counties Lodge, WBro Norman Pope; Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro Owen Davison; together with the Tercentenary Masters and candidate, Bro Luke Howard (click picture to view full-size)
- Written by: John Fergusson
Montagu Chapter in Stamford hosted a fine Convocation on Monday 6 March 2017 at which our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, was the official visitor and he was escorted by E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. Our Grand Superintendent, was supported by his full Executive team along with other officers of Superme Grand Chapter and Active Provinicial Grand Chapter officers. The Chapter was further honoured by the presence of the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal from the Province of Lincolnshire, E Comp John Peters.
This was the evening that W Bro Rod Wadsley was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch and so completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. The Chapter’s Principals, E Comp John Scholes, E Comp Maurice Egglestone and E Comp Alan Muhley, led their team for an excellent ceremony with some fine ritual.Comp Stuart Winn was presented with his Supreme Grand Chapter Certificate by our Grand Superintendent.
There was a wonderful atmosphere both in the Chapter Room and at a sumptuous Festive Board.
We welcome Comp Rod Wadsley into the Royal Arch in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
The Principals of Montagu Chapter are pictured above with the Exaltee, Comp Rod Wadsley along with the many
distinguished guests led by our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams.
Some more informaiton is provided for thoses brethren and guests attending the Grand Lodge Visit, on 25th March 2017.
- Provincial Ties can be worn on the day
- All Worshipful Masters can wear their WM Collars
- Full Dress Regalia for Grand Officers and Provincial Officers
- Cloakrooms will be opened from 10 am and access is available all through the day.
- Buffet will be served in several sittings during the day, with early dining priority given to guests booked into any show or event elsewhere in London.
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The breakdown of the day, is below.
10:00 - Tower Entrance to be opened to admit brethren, partners and guests. Cloak rooms will be open, and access is available throughout the day.
10:45 - All Brethren & guests to be seated in the Grand Temple, upper and lower levels.
11:00 - Introduction by the Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Max Bayes
11:05 - A lecture will be delivered by UGLE Staff (Approx 45 mins)
11:50 - Closing remarks by W.Bro W Diggins
12:00 - Exit Grand Temple
12:15 - onwards - Buffet in the Gallery Suite and Old Board Room; timing and sittings to be announced
13:45 - Rehearsal for all Brethren involved in ceremony in the Grand Temple
15:15 - Brethren to take their seats in the Grand Temple, Lower level only
15:30 - Second Degree Ceremony
17:30 - Exit Grand Temple
18:00 - Exit Grand Lodge.
18:00 - 18:30 - Coaches depart - further details will be given on the day.
WBro Frank Munns was presented with a 50-year certificate at a 2nd Degree Passing Ceremony held by Dr Field Lodge No. 8158 on Monday the 13th of March 2017.
From left, WBro Norman Pope PAsstProvGM, WBro William Diggins ProvAGSec; WBro Scott Austin, Master of Dr Field Lodge; WBro Frank Munns PPJGW, WBro Bob Allison PAGDC
Frank was born on the 15th of October 1937, and was initiated Into Gunnersbury Manor Lodge, No 5351 on the 11th of March 1967, at the age of 29. Frank progressed through the lodge offices in the usual way and attained the chair in 1980. He spent some five years as Secretary. Frank became a joining member of The Manor of Worcesters Lodge No 5687 in February 1992, meeting four times a year at Southgate, and attained the Chair in 1994. He also acted as Tyler in 1996. He was ADC from 1998 to 2000 and DC for two periods from 2001 to 2004 and again in 2008, leaving his duties as DC to again become JW in 2009 and SW in 2010.
After a spell in Liverpool, work moved him to Northampton 1982. Frank chose to join Dr Field Lodge in November 2015 when he resigned from his London Lodge in Southgate in the July of that year to spend all his time in Northampton.
Frank was honoured by the Province of Middlesex by promotion to Provincial Grand Rank as PPAGDC in 1987, PPJGD in 1990, PPDepGReg in 2000 and now holds the rank of PPJGW since 2010.
We hope Frank will have many more happy years to enjoy the Craft in Dr Field Lodge and this Province, and wish him well.
- Written by: John Fergusson
At the Provincial Grand Charity AGM on Saturday 11 March 2017, I announced the details of the Appointments and Promotions to Grand Rank for 2017 and, on behalf of the Province, I extend our sincere congratulations on First Appointments to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to :
W.Bro Michael Charles Alexander Caseman-Jones – Waynflete Lodge No 4452
W Bro Michael has been our Provincial Grand Secretary since May 2015, having previously served as the Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary. As many of you know, he works tirelessly to ensure the Provincial Secretariat and our Province is run with military precision.
W.Bro John Henry Hitchin – Old Kimboltonians' Lodge No 7204
W Bro John is a very busy Freemason and is well known to many because he was the Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2011/12, an appointment that he served with some considerable distinction. Equally, others may know him as he serves as Honorary Organist to many Lodges in the Province.
Our congratulations are also extended to the following Brethren for their respective Reappointment and Promotions
VW Bro James Henry Newman, OBE – Old Wellingburian Lodge No 5570 has been reappointed as Deputy President of the Masonic Charitable Foundation which is quite naturally a source of great pride to this Province, however, it also recognises the excellent contribution he has made to that organisation in particular.
W Bro Charles Anthony Bennett – De La Pre Lodge No 1911, our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, has been honoured with a promotion from Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to Past Senior Grand Deacon as he completes a very successful first year as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
W Bro Robert Leonard Allison – Dr Field Lodge No 8158 has been promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon which is very well deserved and reflects the unstinting contribution that he has made to the Northampton centre since his appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1999.
Left to Right: VW Bro James Newman, Asst PGM, W Bro Charles Bennett & W Bro Bob Allison
I look forward to being with them when receive their preferment at the Annual Investiture at Grand Lodge in April 2017.
RW Bro Max Bayes
Provincial Grand Master
- Written by: John Fergusson
We have now circulated to all Chapters details of the recent announcement of Appointments and Promotions to Supreme Grand Chapter Rank for 2017.
Many Companions will have already been notified or advised within the last day or two but may I on behalf of the Royal Arch Province extend formal congratulations on First Appointment to Past Grand Standard Bearer on behalf of us all to:
E Comp Mark R Constant of Euston Chapter who was first promoted as our Third Provincial Grand Principal in June 2015 and will be re-appointed again at our Annual Convocation in June of this year. E Comp Mark is well known and respected throughout the Province – a worthy addition to the Provincial Team and has been of great support, contributing a great deal to the success of this Royal Arch Province throughout.
We are indeed grateful to him; he is well worthy of this further recognition.
E Comp John A Payne of Cytringan Chapter who has been our Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies since June 2015. Prior to that, he served Province as both Deputy GDC and Assistant GDC and as such, he is well known throughout the Province therefore. A popular Companion with all Royal Arch members with a fine sense of humour, yet a strict disciplinarian when it comes to the protocols and accuracy of our ceremonial work.
His recognition at Supreme Grand Chapter rank is richly deserved.
We can also formally recognise the Promotion of E Comp Dr Bob Beeton of Chicheley Chapter to the Supreme Grand Chapter Rank of PGStB. He was first appointed as a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in April 2006 and whilst not enjoying the best of health in more recent times, he has served the Royal Arch Province magnificently over the last 10/11 years and for that, we have been extremely grateful.
E Comp Bob also carries the Craft Grand Rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon – promoted in 2012 from PAGDC which he had held since 1994.
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To all three, I extend my personal congratulations and very best wishes from us all throughout the Royal Arch Province.
E Comp Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent