Royal Arch News
The second Temple at Sheaf Close was virtually full as Northampton Chapter No: 360 greeted E Comp Desmond Jones back to Northampton for our regular meeting on Thursday 23rd November 2017. E Comp Desmond has long since moved to Cirencester and has become a regular attender also in the Province of Gloucestershire. But as our longest standing IPZ, exalted in May 1957, he still attends his mother Chapter in Northampton for any special or celebratory occasion and is always assured of a warm welcome by all present. Thursday 23rd November was one such occasion as we marked his 60 years as a subscribing member of Northampton Chapter No: 360, acknowledging that we were a little late in any formal recognition but timing had prevented any earlier meeting. We were however set to make good.
The ME Grand Superintendent was delighted to make the formal presentation of a Diamond Jubilee Certificate to E Comp Desmond, who is now in his 87th year, referring to his long Masonic career in Northampton and in Northampton Chapter in particular. He also reflected on the distinguished careers of Desmond’s younger Brother, E Comp Brian Jones who passed to the Grand Chapter Above some 4 years ago and his father, the late E Comp Clifford Jones - a leading light in Northampton Freemasonry for many a year.
By way of added recognition and as a total surprise to E Comp Desmond, the Grand Superintendent also took the opportunity to award E Comp Desmond his “Certificate of Meritorious Service” to further recognise an outstanding commitment to the Royal Arch in this Province and beyond and to Northampton Chapter No: 360 in particular for over 60½ years. E Comp Desmond responded beautifully with a tear in his eye and was delighted to respond further at the Festive Board by taking wine with all Companions present. It was a great occasion for Northampton Chapter and E Comp Desmond, accompanied by his Companions from Gloucestershire, returned to his home in Cirencester a very happy Companion, much loved by us all, and one held in the highest esteem here in Northampton.
Pictured Left to Right: E Comp Mark Constant, Provincial 3rd Grand Principal, E Comp Max Bayes, Provincial Grand Master,
E Comp Wayne Williams, Grand Superintendent, E Comp Desmond Jones, E Comp Jim Boughton, Provincial 2nd Grand Principal
& E Comp Mike Coleman, Deputy Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Companions of the Royal Arch Province will already be aware that on Saturday 4th November the first of three planned PSA Testing sessions was held in Northampton under the auspices of the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust. The ME Grand Superintendent has been pleased to promote this initiative in recognition of the wonderful support he has received throughout Province and the generous contributions made to the Royal Arch Provincial Charity over recent years.
No less than 125 Companions/ Brethren and their Guests were in attendance on the Saturday morning at Sheaf Close for our first Testing session with further initiatives planned for Peterborough and Kettering/Corby in the early part of 2018.
The ME Grand Superintendent was delighted with the response and the support shown at Northampton with participants from the Northampton, Daventry and Towcester areas and can confidently look forward to similar responses for any future Testing sessions to come. He expressed his grateful thanks to E Comp Mike Green, our Provincial Grand Charity Steward and E Comp David Smith, Provincial Grand Treasurer, for their tireless efforts in bringing our proposals to a very successful conclusion at Northampton. E Comp Mike has worked with the initiative for the last 12/18 months and deserves our special thanks.
Companions in other parts of the Province will be advised in due course as and when future tests are planned in their locality. We all hope that some form of re-assurance and a degree of comfort will be given to all participants who take advantage of the testing initiative and will help to point us all in the right direction should any further advice or guidance be required.
- Written by: John Fergusson
It has been confirmed by W Bro Gerry Crawford, Provincial Grand Charity Steward, that the very first donation to the 2024 MCF Festival Relief Chest has been made by Piscator Chapter No: 7557 in the marvellous sum of close to £4,000.
Congratulations to the Principals and Companions for such a tremendous contribution which sets the standard for others who might wish to emulate and follow “as their circumstances in life may fairly warrant”. Good luck!
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Most Excellent The First Grand Principal, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, KG, has been pleased to award a number of Royal Arch Grand rank Appointments and Promotions to celebrate his fifty years as Head of the Royal Arch.
Two Companions in the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire are to be so Honoured.
First Appointment
E Comp David Arthur BROWN, Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra to the Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer, (PGStB)
E Comp David was Exalted in to Abington Chapter 8041 on 28th March 1995. He was installed as MEZ in 2007 and has since served the Chapter as ADC and DC. He joined the Province’s Chapter of Installed 1st Principals in 2009 and has served as its ADC since 2012. E Comp David was appointed Active ProvAGDC in 2010, ProvAGSE in 2012, ProvGSoj in 2014 and ProvGSE in 2016.
Promotion
E Comp Roger Charles WOOD Past Third Provincial Grand Principal (2009 – 2011). From PGStB to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner (PAGSoj)
E Comp Roger was Exalted in to Kingsley Chapter 2431 on 19th February1988. He was installed as MEZ in 1997 and has served as DC, Almoner and Charity Steward. He joined the Province’s Chapter of Installed 1st Principals in 2004 and Peace and Harmony Chapter in 2013. E Comp Roger was appointed Active ProvAGDC in 2000, ProvDepGDC in 2001 and ProvGDC in 2004, an appointment he held for 5 years. He was appointed and Invested as Third Provincial Grand Principal in 2009. An office he held for three years. In recognition of his service in that office, he was appointed PGStB in 2007. E Comp Roger has continued to serve the Province, putting his considerable experience to good effect.
These appointments recognise the commitment and hard work of these two Companions. Both Companions will be Invested at Supreme Grand Chapter on Wednesday 8th November 2017.
- Written by: John Fergusson