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E Comp William Caswell becomes IPZ of New Warwickshire Chapter

A Royal Arch Mason of this Province has played a prominent role in the consecration of a new Chapter, the Old Bromsgrovians Chapter No 5743, in the Province of Worcestershire.

E Comp William Caswell, immediate past Zerubbabel of Perseverance Chapter No 455, is the first Third Principal of Old Bromsgrovians Chapter.

For further information and news of this consecration click here.

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Presentation of Jubilee Certificate to E Comp Stanley Simms

On 24th September 2007 Excellent Companion Stanley Simms celebrated the 50th anniversary of his Exaltation into Royal Arch Masonry.

The occasion was marked the following day at a Convocation of the Socrates Chapter No 373 when the Third Provincial Grand Principal, Excellent Companion Trevor Cooke, presented him with the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent’s Jubilee Certificate.

Before making the presentation the Third Provincial Grand Principal said,

“Excellent Companion Stanley’s contribution and commitment to Royal Arch Masonry is outstanding, let alone his involvement in the Craft and numerous side degrees.
In Socrates Chapter he was MEZ in 1972 & 1977 and Scribe E for ten years. As a member of the Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Chapter of First Principals he served as Scribe E, Treasurer and held the offices of Third, Second and First Principal.

Excellent Companion Stanley held the Acting Provincial ranks of Assistant Scribe E, Scribe Nehemiah and was Second Provincial Grand Principal for 2 years. He was honoured with appointment to Grand Rank in 1990 as PGStB and promoted in 1996 to PAGSoj.

Companions, that is a record to be proud of and I congratulate Excellent Companion Stanley on his achievement.”

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Presentation of Jubilee Certificate to E Comp Pat Marlow

One of the first duties of our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, following his installation was to sign but two Jubilee Certificates.

The first was presented to E Comp Pat Marlow by the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp David Jackson at a meeting of the St Crispin Chapter 5627 in Kettering on Friday 18 May.

Pat Marlow

l to r E Comp Pat Marlow, E Comp David Jackson (Deputy Grand Superintendent),
E Comp Ivan Greaves (Provincial Grand Scribe E)

Pat had been exalted on Thursday 23rd May 1957 in front of 26 members and 12 visitors when the alms collection had amounted to £3.14.4d.

Noting that his certificate was being presented 'early' he vowed to take very good care of himself over the following five days!

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Presentation of Jubilee Certificate to E Comp Desmond Jones

The second Jubilee Certificate was presented by E Comp Wayne Williams on his first visit to his own Northampton Chapter 360 as Grand Superintendent on Thursday 24 May.

E Comp Desmond Jones was the recipient. He had been initiated into the Pomfret Lodge 360 in 1954 and exalted into the Northampton Chapter 360 in 1957.

Since that time in a glittering Masonic career he has held the highest offices in many different Orders - Red Cross of Constantine, Mark, Royal Ark Mariners, the Ancient and Accepted Rite, Knights Templar, Knights of Malta, Royal and Select Masters, Knight Templar Priests and the Order of the Secret Monitor.

Desmond Jones

l to r E Comp Wayne Williams (Grand Superintendent), E Comp Desmond Jones, Comp Norman Sidey

In thanking the Grand Superintendent for his presentation Desmond made a presentation to the Chapter of a number books and artefacts dating back over many years.

Although he regularly visits Northampton, Desmond now lives in Cirencester where he is deeply involved in Freemasonry - and a director of the local Masonic Hall.

Both the Grand Superintendent and E Comp Desmond Jones were delighted to witness the exaltation of Bro Norman Sidey of the Lodge of Harmony 9048.

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Installation of E Comp Wayne Williams as the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent

Well over 300 Companions attended the combined Installation and Provincial Grand Chapter Convocation on 10 May 2007 at Freemasons’ Hall, Northampton.

Twelve Grand Superintendents and 51 guests representing 15 Provinces witnessed ME Comp George Pipon Francis, Second Grand Principal, install E Comp Wayne Williams, PPrGSwdB, as the ME Grand Superintendent in and over the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire. The ME Grand Superintendent then conducted the business of Provincial Grand Chapter.

Installing Officer

l to r E Comp David Jackson (Deputy Grand Superintendent) E Comp Terry Roy (Second Provincial Grand Principal) E Comp Wayne Williams (Grand Superintendent) Installing officer, ME Comp George Francis (Second Grand Principal) and E Comp Trevor Cooke (Third Provincial Grand Principal)

In his address to the Companions, the ME Grand Superintendent said, "Today is a day I shall never forget. It represents a milestone not only for me personally but for the Province. I pay tribute to the ME Second Grand Principal and his team for a most excellent installation ceremony and to my predecessor for all his hard work. I promise you, Companions, that I will give this job my all. I look forward to working with you in taking the Holy Royal Arch forward by a process of evolution rather than revolution."

MEGS Companions congratulate the Installing Officer and newly installed Provincial Executive

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Retirement of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Peter Kitson, will retired from office on Monday 23 April 2007. The Most Excellent The First Grand Principal was pleased to appoint E Comp Wayne Edward Williams, PPrGSwdB, as Grand Superintendent in and over the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire with effect from Monday 23 April 2007.

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Northampton Chapter No 360 Banner Dedication

The Northampton Chapter No. 360 has been in existence for 153 years, so it is a compliment to its Companions that they should still be leading the way. In a fabulous Ceremony, on Thursday, 24 November 2006, they revealed a Banner for their Chapter, which is understood to be the first in the Province.

The Ceremony started with E Comp David Smith giving a talk on how the idea was conceived and how the Banner was finally produced. There followed a magnificient Dedication Ceremony led by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E Comp Peter Kitson, supported by all the Provincial Principals, many Supreme Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter Officers.

Banner Dedication

The Third Grand Principal, E Comp Michael Coleman, gave a magnificent oration regarding the importance of Banners throughout History and related some of these to his own experiences, even back to his time as a Scout Banner holder. At this point he referred to his time in shorts and a necker as a young lad of just ten (perish the thought).

The evening concluded with an inspiring address from the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent and the Banner was paraded out in true pageantry style.

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Donation to MacMillan Nurses

At his Craft Lodge Ladies' Festival on Saturday, 18 November 2006, and on behalf of St John's Chapter No 3972, Comp Gerry Crawford presented to the Northamptonshire branch of MacMillan Nurses a cheque for £200. (On the same occasion he presented two other cheques; one from Grey Friars Lodge for £1,000 and one from the Craft Provincial Grand Charity for £1,000.)

The cheques were gratefully received on behalf of MacMillan Nurses by their County Chairman, Lady Morton, who sincerely thanked all who had contributed and assured us that the money would be spent in the County.

At the Convocation of Socrates Chapter No 373 in Huntingdon, on Tuesday, 26 September, E Comp Trevor Gibbs PAGDC PPrGSoj is to receive a Certificate marking his 50 years as a member of the Holy Royal Arch. This will be presented by the Second Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Terry Roy PAGDC.

The Principals would like to see as many of you there as can possible to join in this very special celebration.

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent has also been been pleased to appoint E Comp Robin Hitchcock as the new Provincial Almoner. He will work closely with the Provincial Grand Almoner to ensure their work is fully co-ordinated.

E Comp Peter Kitson has also been been pleased to appoint E Comp David Bell as the new Provincial Charity Steward.

His role is to build up a fund to enable the Holy Royal Arch to be able to make a significant donation to a specific charity (eg the Tsunami Appeal). He will work closely with the Provincial Grand Charity Steward to ensure their work is fully co-ordinated.

During August, the Provincial Grand Scribe E, E Comp Trevor Cooke, held two briefing meetings for Chapter Scribes E – one at Corby Masonic Centre and the other at Freemasons’ Hall, Northampton. All the Chapter Scribes attended and many of their assistants - forty-four in all. The purpose of the meeting was to outline the many changes that are taking place in the administration of the Province.

Scribes E at meeting

Opening the meeting the Provincial Scribe E outlined the Provincial Office work schedule and time frame, drawing particular attention to the need for Chapter Scribes to submit Returns on time and the impact of failing to do so.

He then moved on to explain the work currently being carried out on the Adelphi (Grand Lodge/Grand Chapter) database, the reasons for moving from the local database to a national database and the impact of this on the Provincial Office workload.

Before closing the meeting the Provincial Grand Scribe E introduced the newly appointed Provincial Grand Charity Steward, E Comp David Bell, and the Provincial Grand Almoner, E Comp Robin Hitchcock and each gave an overview of their role.

The Provincial Scribe E said

On Thursday 22nd June. at the busiest Annual Convocation for some years, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson invested a new Provincial Executive

In his address to the Convocation. the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent noted that the Province was in very good heart and, bucking the national trend, had again managed a modest increase in membership. He was pleased to note that all Chapters had embraced the revised Ritual and that the quality of their work was impressive. He was also very encouraged by the numbers of candidates coming forward for Exaltation and by the attendance levels in Chapters.
He congratulated E Comp Derek Young (Deputy Provincial Grand Master) and E Comp Dr Bob Beeton on their First Appointments to past rank in Supreme Grand Chapter.

E Comp Peter Kitson presented a set of engraved crystal whisky glasses to the retiring Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Ken Bacon and paid tribute to him for his dedicated service to Provincial Grand Chapter over the last eleven years - first as Provincial Grand Scribe E from June 1995 and then as his very able Deputy from June 2000. He wished Ken many years of health and happiness to enjoy the many invitations he will no doubt get to visit Chapters as Past Deputy Grand Superintendent.

The Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson with the Past Grand Superintendent E Comp Richard Sandbach and the newly installed members of the Executive

During the Annual Convocation, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson presented his Certificate of Merit to E Comp Alister Hurford of St Peter's Chapter No 442.

The Most Excellent First Grand Principal has recently announced the appointment and promotion of a number of Companions in this Province. They are

The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, the UK's leading helicopter Emergency Medical Service, based at Coventry Airport, is delighted to announce that on 30th June the Royal Arch Masons of Warwickshire presented a donation of £25,000 to the Charity.

Representatives from the Charity, the

Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance Service, the Chairman of the Warwickshire County Council, the Chairman of the Warwick District Council and guests from the Freemasons will be in attendance. Our special guest was Richard Wallis, the Grand Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Warwickshire.

Richard Wallis, the Grand Superintendent (the head) of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Warwickshire (one of the orders of Freemasonry) said :

"I am delighted to be able to hand over this donation of £25,000 from the Royal Arch Freemasons of Warwickshire to support this worthwhile and live saving cause and to enable it to continue to serve the communities of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire in such a vital, caring and dedicated manner. We are extremely grateful for all that they do and are conscious of the many lives that they save when even minutes are critical for each patient. This donation has been achieved in just two short years thanks to the generosity of the 1650 Royal Arch Masons in my Province and I am pleased to acknowledge their unstinting support for this and many other non-Masonic causes.

Freemasons do not ask the public for contributions. All the money they collect for charity comes from their own pockets."

Mrs Jo Payne, the Fundraising Manager from the Charity said "We are entirely reliant upon donations. We are extremely grateful to the Freemasons for their generosity especially acknowledging that this sum represents many individual contributions."

Any Chapter in the Province which is intending to have a talk or lecture at a forthcoming meeting is asked to inform the Provincial Grand Scribe E by e-mail the details which can then be advertised on this page. This will help those members of the Royal Arch to have an opportunity to attend.

Any Companions who have prepared lectures are invited to send a copy to the Provincial Office.

The Convocation St John's Chapter on Wednesday, 15 February 2006 was a very special occasion for at least three reasons. Bro Richard Stokes of Towcestrian Lodge No 9510 was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch and the Chapter was pleased to receive an official visit from our Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Ken Bacon. By a happy coincidence, on that very day and date 50 years ago - Wednesday, 15 February 1956 - the most senior Companion of St John's Chapter, E Comp Alan Stewart, was exalted into the Chapter. Although not in the best of health and now living in the Isle of Man, E Comp Alan was able to be present.

To mark the occasion, E Comp Bacon was pleased to present to him a 50 years Certificate and lapel badge. In thanking both the Deputy Grand Superintendent and the Chapter, E Comp Alan said the occasion was very special for him. He said he particularly thought of a Companion whose name is on the Warrant of the Chapter and was one of its founders - E Comp Alan's father.

When he made the presentation, the Deputy Grand Superintendent gave a resume of E Comp Alan's masonic career. Born in Northampton in 1929, E Comp Stewart became a successful accountant in Northampton. He is a member of many Lodges and Orders.

He as initiated into St John’s Lodge No 3972 in 1954 becoming its Worshipful Master in 1966. He is the most senior member of St.John’s Chapter No 3972 being exalted in 1956 and becoming its MEZ in 1971.

Visit of Third Grand Principal to Provincial Chapter of First Principals No 3422

The Provincial Chapter of First Principals No 3422 was delighted to receive The Reverend Canon Neil Collings, Third Grand Principal, as principal guest at its Installation Convocation on Friday 22 April 2005.

Some 117 members and guests, including E Comp Richard Wallis, Grand Superintendent of Warwickshire, gathered to see our own Grand Superintendent present E Comp Nicolas Hart to be inducted as MEZ by E Comp Vic Bashford.

The Third Grand Principal then gave a most interesting and thought provoking talk entitled ‘A Future for the Royal Arch’, which enthralled all present.

This photograph shows, left to right, Excellent Companions John Mapley (H), Peter Kitson, Nicolas Hart (MEZ), The Reverend Canon Neil Collings and Jeff Lowe (J)

At the Installation of the new Grand Superintendent for Norfolk in Norwich on Thursday 6 October, 2005 Supreme Grand Chapter invited E Comp Peter Kitson to deputise for the Third Grand Principal who was otherwise detained.

It’s not everyone who gets to wear the ermine trimmed robes………!

25 years on and it seemed just like yesterday - at least it did for three Consecrating Officers in the persons of E Comps Richard Sandbach (who, as the then Grand Superintendent, granted permission for the formation of the Chapter) Albert Shepherd and George Short and three Founder Members in the persons of E Comps (brothers) Bill and George Rutherford and David Jackson - Second Provincial Grand Principal.
The celebrations were lead by the Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson, accompanied by the Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Terry Roy and ten Officers of Provincial Grand Chapter.

E Comps Byles, Marston and Blackwood have the honour of being MEZ, H and J respectively in this very special year.

The 2005 Provincial Grand Chapter Alms collection of £1,080 was donated to the Provincial Grand Charity.

The 2004 introduction of the new Holy Royal Arch Exaltation Ritual and demonstration by the Provincial Executive in Northampton is now supported by music and chants on CDs.

A band (excuse the pun) of excellent and worthy Companions passionate about enhancing the singing of Hymns and Chants in Chapter produced the CD’s, cross referenced with sheet music and the new Provincial Grand Chapter booklet. Copies have been sent to all Chapters in the Province.

If you wish to have an mp3 version please email the webmaster.

The first CD (sample of first track) is to assist during rehearsal and the second is for use in Chapter on those rare occasions when there is no Organist.

This photograph shows E Comp Peter Kitson and E Comp Peter Dawson (then Provincial Grand Treasurer) presenting a £1,000 cheque to the late Mr Peter Spencer (previously local organiser of the children’s charity, Helping Hands) the proceeds of the Alms collection at the 2004 Provincial Grand Chapter.

Tragically Mr Spencer died suddenly earlier this year - doing what he loved best - taking disadvantaged children on an outing.

Provincial Grand Chapter also donated £1000 to the Tsunami Appeal.

The approval by Supreme Grand Chapter of the new Holy Royal Arch Exaltation Ritual was swiftly followed by a demonstration given by the Provincial Executive in Northampton in December 2004, when none other than the Provincial Grand Master (then VWBro Nicolas Hart) acted as Candidate!

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson said,

“This revised working, initiated by our own Past Grand Superintendent, E Comp Richard Sandbach, was ten years in the making and it is gratifying to note how quickly it has been accepted and adopted by all Chapters in the Province, I am so delighted. It brings the ceremony of Exaltation to life and makes it much more meaningful and relevant to the Candidate on the night. It is much more ‘user friendly’ and I have no doubt it will do much to encourage membership of the Royal Arch when our members are discussing it with young members of the Craft”

Provincial Ritual Book

Provincial Grand Chapter printed a booklet containing the new ritual in its entirety.

Copies are available from Chapter Scribe E’s and from the Provincial Office priced £2.

New Holy Royal Arch Ritual books containing the new ritual are now also available from the usual sources.