Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 06 February 2017

Promotions and Appointments – June 2017:

The complete list of Companions who I intend to appoint and promote at Provincial Grand Chapter in June has now been widely circulated to Grand Officers and to the Scribe E of each Chapter.

The sharper eyed amongst you will have no doubt noticed that I intend to appoint and invest E Comp Jim Boughton as our new 2nd Provincial Grand Principal as E Comp George Clayton stands down after having given exemplary service to the Royal Arch Province and the Executive over the last three years in particular. Naturally I will talk in greater detail at our Annual Convocation but I will take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to E Comp George who has needed to endure certain minor health issues and now wishes to free up time so that any lingering problem can be addressed properly.

E Comp George was appointed as our 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in 2014 and promoted to Provincial Grand Haggai in the following year. It was a delight to see him receive his first appointment to Supreme Grand Chapter rank as Past Grand Standard Bearer in April of last year to recognise his commitment to the Royal Arch over many years and for his major contribution to Province since 2014.

In particular, he has taken responsibility for improving the Royal Arch’s communication strategy and the increased profile we have achieved on Social Media generally. In this respect, we also acknowledge the considerable input we have received from E Comp John Fergusson and between them, they can be rightly proud of the way in which they have driven the radical overhaul of the Royal Arch Web Site. Furthermore, E Comp George has been responsible for creating a regular flow of interesting news articles from all over the Province through his chosen network of correspondents and to whom we also owe a considerable debt of gratitude.

The support we have received from E Comp George to myself and other members of the Executive has been exemplary; he is a fine Royal Arch Mason and I am delighted (and somewhat relieved) that we will still have the benefit of George’s input after he has retired in all matters of Social Media to include our Web Site, Twitter, Facebook and to which I collectively and affectionately refer to as my old favourite, the Intertwit!

E Comp Jim Boughton needs no introduction of course – well known to us all as a Grand Officer both in the Craft and the Royal Arch and having recently completed his tenure as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, an office which he held and served with great distinction. He was exalted into Pemberton Chapter in Rushden in September 1987 and became First Principal of Pemberton Chapter in May 1996 before which he became a joining Member of Whytewell Chapter in October 1990 and progressed to the First Principal’s Chair in 1995.

In 2003, he was appointed active Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah and received his appointment as Past Grand Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter in 2009. Undoubtedly, he will bring a wealth of experience to the Royal Arch Executive and the Province in general and we will all share in his passion and in his energy for the Supreme Degree.

To all those Companions across the Province who will be promoted and appointed at our Annual Convocation in June, I congratulate you all on behalf of the Executive. Your preferment is deserved and well earned; enjoy your special day when it eventually arrives – I know I shall!

Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 05 February 2017

On Sunday the 15th of January 2017, The Corby Masonic Players, who are Freemasons or family and friends thereof, put on another show of their latest production, Jack & the Beanstalk, for the local community. 

This was a special extra performance of the pantomime to kick off the Tercentenary events that the Corby Freemasons have planned. This free performance proved very popular with a hunded and sixty adults and children filling the Masonic Hall.

The audience members had no connection with the Masonic community - their attendance was as a result of local advertising. Every child received a festive selection box and free drinks/snacks were distributed to everyone that attended during the interval.

The Corby Masonic Players had previously held two other packed shows for Corby Freemasons, their families and friends. During each of these performances a raffle was held, which raised a total of £332 for Teddies for Loving Care.

WBro Jack C. Summerfield, the director and Panto Dame, said, “We have been putting-on an annual pantomime since 2006, but this is the first year that we opened our doors to the non-Masonic community”. He added, “The feedback has been fantastic. Everyone left with a smile on their face and hopefully a positive memory of Freemasonry.”

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 05 February 2017

During his year as the Worshipful Master of Coritani Lodge - one of the five Masonic Lodges which meet in Daventry - WBro Max Reynolds held a number of social and sporting events to raise funds in support of several national and local charities which are close to his family's heart. One such charity is Breast Cancer Care.

Max's wife, Muriel, considers herself fortunate to be a survivor of breast cancer having undergone a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery almost eight years ago. Max and Muriel were therefore very pleased to be able to present a cheque for £1,500 to the local area representative of Breast Cancer Care, Nikki Swindell.

Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 01 February 2017

W Bro Peter Manning is Chairman of the Group organising the Classic 300 Car Runs in the Midlands area this year, some of which will pass through our Province. The Classic 300 Event, is part of the celebrations this year; a collection of Classic Car Runs on Sundays, spread between May and September. The details can all be found on the website by clicking on this link https://www.classic300.org.uk/about These are open to all masons as well as their friends and families using vehicles which are pre 1997 or modern classics of special interest.

On registration for the sum of £25, each entrant will receive a unique Numbered Car Plaque and entitlement to enter any of the 17 runs being organised throughout the country, as well as a memento of the main event. Registration also entitles the entrant to take part in the Official Start, at Windsor Castle on 21st May, when HRH the Duke of Kent will be flagging us off. The Official Finish, will take place at Brooklands on the 1st October.

Each run will take a standard Classic Car Run format, starting, passing and finishing at places of motoring interest; there will also be an easy to follow dedicated tulip road book giving directions. Click here for an electronic flyer giving details of the routes and for those who may be interested, it has the details of how to get involved.

This is the only National Tercentenary Event being held as others are Provincial based. As such it is viewed by UGLE as one that should get maximum support. 

Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 21 January 2017

Abington Chapter exalated Bro Michael Matthews on Monday 18 January 2017 and he became Comp Michael Matthews thus completing his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. The evening was marked by the official visit of E Comp Wayne Williams, Grand Superintendent and supported by the attendance of the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant escorted by E Comp Jeff Chambers, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. 

The ceremony was performed in an excellent manner with the Chapter's Principals leading by example, however, they were supported by E Comp Pat Harris as Principal Sojourner and the Mystical Lecture was dellivered in an accomplished manner by Comp Neil Sheppard, Comp Reuben Freeman and Comp Gene David. E Comp David Brown, Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra presented the signs in a very assured manner.

The evening concluded with a memorable Festive Board to welcome Comp Michael Matthews into the Royal Arch. 

We welcome Comp Michael Matthews into the Royal Arch in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire. 

The team (left to right):- E Comp Jeff Chambers, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Michael Branch, Comp
Michael Matthews, E Comp John Booth, Haggai, MEZ, E Comp David Watson, Joshua, E Comp Steve Webb, E Comp Wayne
Williams, Grand Superintendent & E Comp Mark Constant, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal

Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 20 January 2017

Chapter of Fidelity's Installation Convocation on Monday 16 January 2017 was marked by the official visit of E Comp Mark Constant, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal and supported by the attendance of two Grand Superintendents, our very own E Comp Wayne Williams and E Comp Ian Hopgood, Most Excellent Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Berkshire, they were escorted by E Comp Alex Henderson, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. E Comp Ian was attending as a guest of the newly installed First Principal, E Comp Simon Laws. 

E Comp Simon Laws was installed as MEZ by E Comp Russ Dickinson in a fine and accomplished manner, E Comp Terry Oldfield was installed as Haggai and E Comp Richard Brice was installed as Joshua.The quality of the ritual throughout the evening was excellent; and the evening concluded with a memorable Festive Board. 

We wish the newly installed Principals a very enjoyable year in their respective offices.

The Installation team (left to right):- E Comp Wayne Williams, Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mark Constant, 3rd Provincial Grand
Principal, E Comp Ian Hopgood, Grand Superintendent (Berkshire), E Comp Graham Minett, Provincial Grand Sojourner,
Haggai, E Comp Terry Oldfield,  MEZ, E Comp Simon Laws, Joshua, E Comp Richard Brice & E Comp Alex
Henderson, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies