Royal Arch News
We have now circulated to all Chapters details of the recent announcement of Appointments and Promotions to Supreme Grand Chapter Rank for 2018.
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 Derek Pearson of Euston Chapter who was first appointed as our Provincial Grand Almoner in June 2014 and will be reappointed again at our Annual Convocation in June. E Comp Derek has put a tremendous effort into this very important appointment to ensure that our Chapters and their membership thrive. In June 2016 he received further recognition with a promotion to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.
E Comp David Smith of Northampton Chapter who has been our Provincial Grand Treasurer since June 2017 and, like E Comp Derek, will be reappointed at our Annual Convocation in June. Prior to that, he served as Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2012 with some considerable distinction. He is now working very hard to ensure that the Province’s finances are kept in good order.
E Comp Dr. Kevin Williams of Chapter of Installed First Principals No 3422 to Past Grand Standard Bearer. E Comp Kevin is known to many as a Group Officer for Kettering in the Craft and holds Grand Rank as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. He is very active in the Royal Arch in London and holds Senior London Grand Chapter Rank.
To all three, I extend my personal congratulations and very best wishes from us all throughout the Royal Arch Province.
E Comp James Boughton
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Wednesday 28th February 2018, E Comp Jim Boughton was installed as the 13th Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire. The meeting was attended by Companions from Chapters across the Province as well as a number of Grand Superintendents from other Provinces.
This Installation Convocation was honoured by the presence of the ME 2nd Grand Principal, E Comp Russell Race, DL as well as the Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Oliver Lodge. The ME 2nd Grand Principal conducted the Installation ceremony and was assisted by E Comp Peter Kinder, Grand Superintendent of Leicestershire and Rutland, and E Comp Colin Brown, Grand Superintendent of Worcestershire. Once he had been installed, the Grand Superintendent appointed E Comp Neil Handley as 2nd Provincial Grand Principal and reappointed E Comp Mike Coleman as Deputy Grand Superintendent and E Comp Mark Constant as 3rd Provincial Grand Principal.
Deputy Grand Scribe Ezra, E Comp Graham Redman, read the Grand Superintendent’s Patent in his own inimitable way and the Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Oliver Lodge, ensured that the ceremony ran without a hitch.
Once the Installation ceremony was complete, the newly installed Grand Superintendent addressed the Convocation, thanking all those who had come to this special meeting. He spoke of how honoured he is to be leading the Province and reaffirmed how he is looking to build upon the tremendous work of his predecessor as well as supporting the Provincial Grand Master in ensuring that we attract the right men into Freemasonry.
A very enjoyable Festive Board followed the meeting and the Grand Superintendent presented the ME 2nd Grand Principal with a bottle of Kingswell Gin, Marmalade and Chutney with the whole of the Installation team receiving a commemorative glass and bottle of IPA from the resurrected 'Phipps' Brewery as a memento of his Installation Convocation.
All in all and despite the inclement weather, it was a fine day and the beginning of a new chapter for the Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
Our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Jim Boughton, is pictured below with the ME 2nd Grand Principal E Comp Russell Race, DL
The new Provincial Executive is pictured below from left to right: Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal
E Comp Neil Handley, Grand Superintendent, E Comp Jim Boughton & 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Shrove Tuesday or “Pancake Day”, Tuesday 13th February, Bro Jeffrey Eric Conisbee completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry as he was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch, in the Thistle & Rose Chapter No. 6644, in Corby.
The official visitors on that day were The Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant, accompanied by the Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies E Comp Jeffrey Freeman both of whom witnessed a most excellent ceremony. The Deputy Grand Superintendent in Charge, E Comp Michael Coleman was also present.
There was some fine ritual by the Chapter’s Principals, E Comp Chris Goode, E Comp Paul Seaton and E Comp Andy McWilliam. The Principal Sojourners work was impressively taken by E Comp David Docherty and 1st Assistant Comp David Nixon. The Junior Companions assisted greatly as the Setting of the Scene was read by Comp Melvin Garner and the Readings by Comp Paul Hopkins and Comp James Seward.
The signs were presented by E Comp David Hopkins, followed by the Symbolical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by Comps John Neil, David Nixon and E Comp Paul Seaton. The Mystical Lecture was very well presented by E Comp Ken Marris, E Comp Stephen Burton and E Comp Tom Strickland.
As Pancake Day is all about feasting before the fasting, the Corby Masonic Complex Caterers, Six of Eight, did not let us down. All that attended enjoyed a very convivial Festive Board of Companionship.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Friday 9th February 2018, Piscator Chapter enjoyed a first class Installation Convocation. The Chapter was honoured to receive the Deputy Grand Superintendent In Charge, E Comp Mike Coleman who was escorted by E Comp John Payne, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
E Comp Roger Blason was installed as First Principal, E Comp Mike Howells as Second Principal and E Comp Steve James as Third Principal.
After the Principals had invested their Officers for the ensuing year, E Comp Aaron Day was presented with a PZ jewel to mark an excellent year as Piscator Chapter’s First Principal.
The evening was finished off with a superb Festive Board which was enjoyed by all. Our congratulations to the three newly Installed Principals and Officers of the Chapter and we offer them our sincere best wishes for a very happy and enjoyable year ahead.
- Written by: John Fergusson