Royal Arch News
Strangers, whence come you? From Babylon?
Well not quite Strangers, Companions and certainly not from Babylon!
But we re-emerge from the summer recess and, I trust, with renewed enthusiasm and a sense of excitement as we now face the challenges of another Masonic year in 2017/2018. I hope that you have all “summered” well.
For Freemasonry in general, we are now three-quarters of the way through our Tercentenary year and a successful one it has been thus far. The Tercentenary Grand Ball is getting closer, to be held at Wicksteed Park in Kettering on 21st October and we, in the Royal Arch, will have supported all three of the major Provincial events to the best of our ability.
From the Royal Arch perspective, the season started in earnest this week with the September meeting of our First Principals’ Chapter at Ellindon where our guest speaker was E Comp Christopher Maiden, perhaps better known as the Grand High Priest of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and the Order of Holy Wisdom.
And what a tremendously informative and entertaining presentation he gave – an Order which first saw the light of day in the 1700s and now covers 27 countries worldwide with over 8000 members. E Comp Christopher travels widely and regularly as he oversees his domain – an avid collector of Air Miles, no doubt but a charming man with it.
Companions, all remains well within the Royal Arch Province and as reported at the Annual Convocation in June, 2016 was another successful year in terms of membership. We bid farewell to E Comp George Clayton at the Convocation after three very successful years and George played his part in raising the profile of the Order and visiting many a Chapter. He was replaced, as you are now aware, by E Comp Jim Boughton who needed no introduction. Jim had stood down as an Assistant PGM a year or so before and known as an enthusiastic Royal Arch colleague, he was an obvious choice in many ways. The fact that he and I played rugby together way back in the 1960s in the same old boys school team is neither here nor there!
Our new Third Grand Principal, E Comp Gareth Jones OBE, also honoured us with his presence and made an immediate impression on our proceedings as he has done on his many visits to other Provinces all around the country. His address to us was quite inspiring and in conjunction with E Comp Russell Race as our Second Grand Principal, their enthusiasm and encouragement for the Royal Arch raises our profile to another level. We are indeed fortunate to have them both and I personally feel that now is a good time to be a Companion of our Supreme Degree. The future looks good.
And within Province, the various Heads of other Orders continue, as always, to enjoy a close rapport and a degree of co-operation which is the envy of many another Province. There have been changes more recently – E Comp George Bonham stood down as the Provincial Grand Master in the Mark Degree in June, to be succeeded by E Comp Bob Stokes and E Comp Martin Wilson was installed in July as the new District Grand Master of the East Midlands, Royal and Select Masters. Both new incumbents have long been prominent players within our Province, well known and highly respected by us all and that excellent rapport we have so enjoyed with other Orders operating within Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire over the years is set fair into the foreseeable future.
And whilst we can congratulate ourselves on the continued success of the Holy Royal Arch, we cannot afford complacency. Our success relies so much on a successful Craft Province with whom we work so closely; after all’s said and done, the Royal Arch is the completion of Pure Antient Masonry and the very completion of Craft Masonry itself - the happy ending to the storyline that, in the Third degree of Craft, ends in death, bereavement and anguish and for the teachings of the Supreme Degree then to introduce a spiritual awareness and re-awakening.
So, Companions, we all continue to assume the role of ambassadors for the Holy Royal Arch; we all share a responsibility to promote the Order even further and raise the profile so that those who have yet to join us appreciate that their Masonic journey is so incomplete until they have taken that fourth and final phase of Pure Antient Masonry. The Book of Constitutions makes it perfectly clear for those who seek further reassurance - a journey from “Initiation to Exaltation”, a happy ending with a few trials and tribulations thrown in for good measure along the way! And the Third Degree of Craft gives out so many clues and suggestions that there is still more to come.
Unfortunately, so many of our colleagues miss them initially; we are focussed so much on the intensity of a good, well delivered Third Degree ceremony but on further examination in the cold light of day, those hints and clues are so obvious. And that, my Companions, is the challenge I therefore set you - the very same challenge as I have promoted in recent years past and will no doubt continue to do so in the years ahead.
Our penetration into Craft membership remains at around 39% - it’s about average for most of our Royal Arch Provinces under Supreme Grand Chapter but there are one or two Provinces that really excel. We have a target “market” of some 60% therefore and just a few successes here and there will begin to make a difference. We on the Provincial Executive remain ever grateful for the tremendous support and encouragement you continue to give us; the welcome we receive on visiting your Chapters, formally or informally, is exemplary and we thank you for it.
And on a personal note, I am privileged to have been your Grand Superintendent now for the last – wait for it – ten and a half years. It has been a great experience to have made so many new friends over that time – friendships that will be life-long and that is a wonderful legacy to cherish. But still, together we still have much work to do – enjoy the new Masonic year 2017/2018, enjoy your Masonry certainly but most importantly, enjoy your Royal Arch Masonry.
And I shall look forward to catching up with you all as the season progresses.
Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Convocation of the Chapter of Installed First Principals marked the beginning of the new Royal Arch season in very fine form at Peterborough Masonic Centre. As always at this particular meeting, turnout was high, the event being well supported by Companions from across the widest reaches of the Province.
The highlight of the evening was a presentation entitled The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Order of Holy Wisdom, delivered in a most entertaining manner by E Comp Christopher G Maiden – Grand High Priest of the Order. E Comp Maiden produced a perfect balance of content and humour throughout his presentation which was warmly received by all present. Accordingly, a vote of thanks, richly deserved, was addressed to E Companion Maiden on behalf of the audience by MEZ, E Comp Phil Collins.
Finally the evening concluded with a sumptuous Festive Board for which the Peterborough catering team must be warmly congratulated. An excellent choice of menu, cooked to perfection, marking the perfect ending to a memorable evening.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Prostate Cancer Awareness
August 2017
One in seven men contract Prostate Cancer. It is unfortunately a well proven statistic and it is the UK’s most prevalent cancer in men. There are over 40000 diagnoses each and every year – a frightening statistic, isn’t it.
There are however currently ELEVEN Provinces under UGLE/Supreme Grand Chapter undertaking a series of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood-testing sessions at various local Masonic centres for those Companions and Brethren who seek re-assurance by a simple blood test under the direction and guidance of the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, a registered Charity. This initiative was first launched in 2014.
The blood sample is forwarded to a Consultant Urological Surgeon for analysis who then reports back to the participant within a period of 7-10 days, confirming the results of the blood test and giving any further, appropriate guidance that might seem necessary. PSA testing is seen as a reasonable guide, now more reliable than ever before but not necessarily 100% accurate in all cases as certain extenuating and personal circumstances may come into play.
But so far, there have been well over 5000 Companions/Brethren who have participated –
- 89% have been advised that there has been no apparent problem.
- 222 participants have been assessed as “border-line” with a recommendation that further advice should be sought from their own GP as soon as can be arranged,
- But most importantly, over 300 participants have been identified as having an immediate problem with an early consultation with their GP strongly recommended. Of those, immediate medical/ surgical procedures have been necessary for 46 participants.
I do feel that these statistics alone warrant our further consideration and involvement in the PSA testing initiative and with certain charitable funding available within the Royal Arch Provincial Charity, we are in a position to underwrite the project initially. As a Royal Arch Companion therefore you will shortly receive further details and guidance from our Provincial Grand Charity Steward, E Comp Mike Green, advising of the Centres and dates at which testing will be available in the months ahead to those wishing to participate and with a suggestion that you may also bring along with you a Brother from your Lodge who would wish to participate, even though not a Royal Arch Mason.
It is true that such a test can be demanded from your own GP on the NHS but I just question how many of us actually take the time and trouble to make an appointment with our Doctor for this very purpose? Those 46 Companions/Brethren mentioned above might tend to agree – did they know, were they aware? I have to confess, Companions, I haven’t been tested but I shall be the first in line when the initiative comes to Northampton.
E Comp Mike Green will be in touch with you individually and Chapter Scribes will also be fully briefed.
Yours sincerely & fraternally,
Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Tuesday 1 August the Royal Arch annual golf competition for the Wayne Williams Trophy took place at Peterborough Milton Golf Club.
Fourteen teams representing several neighbouring Provinces plus teams from the Craft, Royal Arch and Knights Templar from Northants and Hunts enjoyed yet another enjoyable event thanks to the good offices of Excellent Companion Russell Laxton, Chairman of the Golf Club and Excellent Companion David Jackson, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent who has been the instigator and organiser since the establishment of the competition.
Winning team this year was the Northants & Hunts Royal Arch team of E Comp Russell Laxton, Comp Geoff Dyson and E Comp Leo McCormick. The Individual prize for the best score went to Comp Geoff Dyson with 40 points off a handicap of 5. This represents a score of 1 over par gross! A fantastic performance. Eat yer heart out Rory!
The event next year is already booked at the same venue for 31st July 2018. If you fancy taking part please contact E Comp David Jackson for information.
- Written by: John Fergusson