Royal Arch News
Our Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra has circulated an announcement to all our Chapters and the appointment was confirmed at Quarterly Communication on Wednesday 13th December 2017, we now know that E Comp James Boughton will be appointed as Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire, succeeding E Comp Wayne Williams who steps down on 31st January 2018.
E Comp James’ journey in Freemasonry began in 1985 when he was initiated into Heigham Lodge in Rushden and became Worshipful Master in 1992. His journey in the Craft culminated in being appointed as Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 2012, an appointment which he served with great success for four years and became very well known to all across our Province.
The importance of the Royal Arch was not wasted on him and it was in 1987 that E Comp James completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry when he was exalted into Pemberton Chapter and three years later he became a joining member of Whytewell Chapter, passing through the Chairs of both Chapters between 1993 and 1997. He served both Chapters as Assistant Director of Ceremonies and then Director of Ceremonies. In 1998, he received a first appointment in Provincial Grand Chapter when he became Past Provincial Grand Registrar and then in 2003, he was appointed Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah which he served with some considerable distinction. After a short break from his appointment as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, our Grand Superintendent invited E Comp James to become the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal in June 2017; it was a challenge that he relished and has taken on with his customary energy and passion.
E Comp James said, "I am looking forward to this new challenge, to encourage others to join us in experiencing the joys of the Supreme Degree of the Royal Arch, the culmination of Pure Ancient Freemasonry. It will not be an easy task to follow in the footsteps of E Comp Wayne, however, I am looking to build on the tremendous work that he has done for the Royal Arch over the last ten years"
On the appointment of his successor, E Comp Wayne said "January 31st will be a sad day for me personally but I have the comfort and satisfaction of knowing that my successor is a true Royal Arch Mason through and through. Jim and I have known each other for some 50 years plus, our Masonic careers have followed the same course in recent years and I have no doubts whatsoever that he will prove a very worthy Grand Superintendent. He will continue to take the Royal Arch Province forward with the help and the support I know that he will receive"
- Written by: John Fergusson
What better way to recover from the coldest night of the year than to be in the warmth and Companionship of Royal Arch Masons. Bro James Robertson Dickson, a Master Mason of Thistle and Rose Lodge 6644 completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry on 12th December 2017 when he was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch in the Thistle and Rose Chapter No 6644.
The Chapter’s Principals; E Comp Chris Goode, E Comp Paul Seaton and E Comp Andrew McWilliam, led their team on their First Exaltation together. A special note must be made to EComp Graham Roger and EComp David Docherty who stood in at short notice for the Principal Sojourner’s role. E Comp Alex Henderson presented the signs with great confidence. This was followed on this occasion, by the Historical Lecture, which was presented in an exemplary style by E Comp Graham Roger and Comp Paul Hopkins. The Mystical Lecture was a very fine presentation by E Comp Ken Marris, E Comp Gordon Brown and E Comp Mike Coleman. There followed a very “festive” festive Board.
If there are any other Master Masons out there in the cold, looking to complete their journey in Pure Antient Masonry, look no further than the warmth and companionship of the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch.
Below the exaltee is welcomed by the Three Principals: Left to right; E Comp Paul Seaton, Comp James Robertson Dickson, E Comp Chris Goode, and E Comp Andrew McWilliam.
- Written by: John Fergusson
1st December 2017 saw Bro Bartlomiej Krogulec complete his journey in Pure Antient Masonry when he was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch in the Chapter of St. Giles No. 8736.
The Chapter’s Principals, E Comp David Docherty, E Comp Malcolm Atkins and E Comp Garth Coward, led their team with some fine ritual. A special note must be made to E Comp Billy Glover who stood in at short notice for the Principal Sojourner’s role so excellently. The signs were perfectly presented by E Comp Arthur Byles, followed by the Historical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by E Comp David Jackson, Comp Chris Vickers and E Comp Derrick Stringer. The Mystical Lecture was very well presented by E Comp Ken Marris, E Comp Gordon Brown and E Comp David Jackson.
The evening was rounded off when E Comp Ken Marris presented Comp Andrew Bloice and Comp Yakub Caratella with their Grand Chapter Certificates. This was followed by a fantastic Christmas Supper festive Board.
Below Comp Krogulec is welcomed by the Three Principals: Left to right; E Comp Malcolm Atkins, Comp Bartlomiej Krogulec, E Comp David Docherty, and E Comp Garth Coward.
- Written by: John Fergusson
As 7th May 2007 will be remembered as the start of a new era so 31st January 2018 will be remembered as the day the curtain came down on the tenure of E Comp Wayne Edward Williams as the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire. He was only the 12th Grand Superintendent of this Province.
By his own admission, his Royal Arch career prior to May 2007 had been somewhat less than spectacular – his focus had invariably been on his Craft involvements as Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Secretary. By contrast, during his tenure as Grand Superintendent, his achievements have been more than spectacular. In those early days when speaking to Craft Masons who were not Companions, he would often remind them that he knew who they were and where they lived; the phrase has become embedded in the Province and that there are few who would not associate the expression with the Grand Superintendent.
As leader of the Royal Arch Province, he brought his inimitable energy and enthusiasm to bear in everything that he did for the Order, keeping his promise from his Installation that he would take the Royal Arch forward by a process of evolution rather than revolution and that “What you see is what you get!”
Memorable moments, there have been quite a few…
In May 2011, our Grand Superintendent was appointed as one of two sitting Grand Superintendents to the Committee of General Purposes of Supreme Grand Chapter which was a tremendous honour both for him and the Province.
At the Convocation of Installed First Principals, the Province was able to present a cheque for £65,000 to the Second Grand Principal, E Comp George Francis, as part of the Royal College of Surgeons appeal during the Royal Arch Bicentenary. This was a fundraising effort that our Grand Superintendent spearheaded with his usual passion which was instrumental in securing such an outstanding achievement.
His excellent relationship with his counterpart in the Province of Bristol, E Comp Alan Vaughan, was central to bring a very memorable demonstration of the Ceremony of the Veils to this Province for what was a memorable evening for all those in attendance - it qualified under the daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.
Piscator Chapter moved from London during his time in charge, following the move of Piscator Lodge a few years earlier. He has ensured that they have been made to feel at home from the start and his faith has been repaid by the manner in which the Chapter is moving from strength to strength.
On a personal note, he was honoured to become the First Principal of Probity Chapter Chapter of Probity in the Province of Cambridgeshire – membership of this prestigious Chapter is restricted to Grand Superintendents , their Deputies and other senior Royal Arch Masons predominantly based in the Eastern Provinces. He is currently First Principal of the Peace and Harmony Chapter in the Province of Warwickshire which serves a similar purpose for the Royal Arch Provinces in the West Midlands and beyond.
Technology has held no fear for our Grand Superintendent as he has taken to Twitter or as he prefers to call it Intertwit to spread the Royal Arch message.
One of his major achievements, is rewriting and producing a Welcome To Royal Arch Brochure which is given to all Exaltees; this took many rewrites but it is so good at helping the new Exaltee start to understand the Royal Arch that it has been adopted by other Provinces. This brochure is coupled with the informative Next Step For A Master Mason leaflet which helps to explain to the Master Mason why the Royal Arch is the completion of their journey in Pure Antient Masonry.
He has been served by 2 Deputy Grand Superintendents (E Comp David Jackson and E Comp Michael Coleman), 4 Second Provincial Grand Principals (E Comp Terry Roy, E Comp Michael Coleman, E Comp George Clayton and E Comp Jim Boughton) and 5 Third Provincial Grand Principals (E Comp Trevor Cooke, E Comp Roger Wood, E Comp John Phillips, E Comp George Clayton and E Comp Mark Constant). To them all, he expresses his sincere thanks for their help, commitment and support throughout. Without them, the journey would not have been so enjoyable
The Royal Arch Province will be forever grateful and appreciative of the tremendous contribution and efforts of E Comp Wayne Williams as its Grand Superintendent. We wish you a very enjoyable retirement and thank you once again.
- Written by: John Fergusson