Royal Arch News
E Comp Neil Handley To Be Appointed 2nd Provincial Grand Principal
E Comp Jim Boughton, Grand Superintendent (Designate), has been delighted to appoint E Comp Neil Handley as 2nd Provincial Grand Principal at his Installation Convocation on 28th February 2018.
E Comp Neil was initiated into Freemasonry in December 1980 in Pax Magna Lodge and became a joining member of Perseverance Lodge No 213 in Norfolk in 1984 where he progressed through the offices to become Worshipful Master of in 1990. He completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry when he was exalted into Chapter of Perseverance in the Province of Norfolk in May 1993 and became the Chapter’s First Principal in March 1997.
In 2002, he became a joining member of Dr Oliver Chapter in Peterborough and became the Chapter’s First Principal in October 2013. His Provincial Grand Chapter appointments include being Provincial Grand Treasurer for the Province of Norfolk from 1999-2000 and Provincial Grand Registrar in this Province from 2014-15. Additionally, he is a Director of Peterborough Masonic Hall Ltd and Treasurer of the Peterborough Joint Chapters Committee.
In his professional life, he was a banker and worked within retail banking over 30 years. He has been married to Terri for 46 years. A qualified bowls coach (both indoor and outdoor) as well as being a keen armchair based supporter of Notts County.
- Written by: John Fergusson
The late E Comp Ken G Bacon, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent, PGSwdB:
We are saddened to announce that on the morning of Saturday 6th January, E Comp Ken Bacon passed peacefully to the Grand Chapter Above.
He had been unwell for some considerable time; his widow, Joan, who has endured her own health problems over the last few years continues to reside in residential care in Kettering.
We remember E Comp Ken as our Deputy Grand Superintendent between the years of 2000-2006 prior to which he served Province as our PrGScribe E for five years. He was a loyal servant to the Royal Arch Province and to E Comp Peter Kitson in particular during his time as our Grand Superintendent. E Comp Ken will be remembered fondly by all those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.
In the Craft, he was initiated into St Crispin Lodge No: 5627 in March 1971, progressed through the various offices until made a Grand Officer in 2004 as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. He was exalted into St Crispin Chapter No: 5627 in May 1975, progressing through the various Provincial offices in the Royal Arch from PPrGStB in 1987 until attaining the high office of Deputy Grand Superintendent in the year 2000. Ken will be remembered with affection for his relaxed and approachable demeanour in all that he did. He was always ready to share the best of companionship with Companions, young and old, and whilst his active involvement, both in the Craft and the Royal Arch, has been somewhat restricted over recent years for obvious reasons, he will be sorely missed by us all.
Outside of Freemasonry, E Comp Ken was very much involved in public and political life in Kettering. He served as a councillor and was Mayor in 1980. He was also a councillor of St Peter and St Paul Church, where it's well known that he continued attending even when life proved difficult for him. Football was another passion for E Comp Ken and he played at United Counties Level and was the League Secretary in the 1970s. He was also a keen fan of Kettering Football Club ("The Poppies").
We extend our sincere condolences to Mrs Bacon and to her family. May E Comp Ken now rest in peace.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Companions,
It’s that time of the year again and once more we rapidly approach the Festive Season with the challenges of a New Year quickly to follow. And I suppose that challenges they will certainly be in the first couple of months of 2018 as I now prepare to stand down from office as at 31st January and arrangements are made, both locally and within Supreme Grand Chapter, for the installation of my successor, E Comp Jim Boughton.
Jim is so well known to you and although I say it myself, he will prove an inspired choice. He and I have worked together before and I can’t recommend him to you highly enough.
But again and perhaps for the final time in my present role, I now resort to the Social Media – be it Website, Facebook or Twitter – to wish you all and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas and, most importantly, a healthy New Year.
I don’t accept all this nonsense and political correctness – for some 2000 years we have always referred to this special time of the year as CHRISTMAS and long may it continue (winter holiday my foot!) – our doors are open for anyone to join us as we celebrate a very special event that took place so long ago in a far and distant land. But may TTALGMH bring peace and goodwill to that region.
But at Christmas, when the grandchildren are asleep, the dogs have been walked and presents have been opened, it’s a good time to reflect on what we have all accomplished in the Royal Arch over the last 12 months or so and what we might expect in the year ahead. With batteries recharged and with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, let’s make it another successful year for the Supreme Degree, especially here in Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
The success of this Province is down to you, my friends – each and everyone of you - and on behalf of my colleagues on the Provincial Executive, may I thank you for your wonderful support as we share with you the very best of Companionship and friendship.
To you and your nearest and dearest, a very happy and peaceful Christmas and I’m sure that we’ll all meet up again very soon.
E Comp Wayne Williams
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
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