Royal Arch News
On Thursday 2 December, a party of five Royal Arch Masons, namely: the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, the Provincial Grand Master, E Comp Max Bayes PAGSoj, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp George Clayton, PGStB, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant, and E Comp Mike Green, PGStB, visited the Chapter of Charity, Bristol to experience an Exaltation ceremony, Bristol style! 
The Bristol Masonic Hall itself is a most impressive building, commanding a most imposing position in the old town. On arrival, the Northampton visitors were warmly welcomed by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Bristol, E Comp Alan Vaughan and his Deputy, E Comp Christopher Williams. Following refreshments after the considerable journey, the party enjoyed an extensive tour of the building which was most impressive. Dating back over two hundred years, the building was almost totally destroyed by enemy bombing in 1940 when, a ‘’few burned out relics were recovered’’. Restoration of this very beautiful and unique building was finally completed in 1957.
The Chapter of Charity No. 187 (formerly No 9 prior to renumbering in the far and distant past) was consecrated in 1769 and is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, continuously working Chapters in existence. The current Bristol Royal Arch workings contain passages very reminiscent of surviving 18th century manuscript rituals, and every Exaltation ceremony includes a ceremony of ‘The Passing of the Veils’. Hence, the Bristol Royal Arch workings are not only very old but therefore unique and substantially different from all other English Chapter Workings.
The visiting companions from Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire were privileged to witness a truly outstanding Exaltation Ceremony, perfectly executed by the MEZ, E Comp Terence Cole and his team.
An unexpected item was the presentation (pictured below) of a certificate to Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, by his very good friend and fellow Grand Superintendent, E Comp Alan Vaughan, to mark his presence on this very special occasion. The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, was delighted to respond to a very generous Visitors’ Toast, thanking all present, particularly the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Alan Vaughan, and his Deputy for their welcome, their companionship and splendid hospitality throughout the day. The obvious special relationship that exists between the two Provinces is most apparent and long may it continue.
Above left to right:- Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, Provincial Grand Master, E Comp Max Bayes,
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent (Bristol), E Comp Alan Vaughan & Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Tuesday 18 November 2016, E Comp Phil Hall was installed as the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Warwickshire. While it was a very special day for E Comp Phil, it was also a very memorable day for our very own Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, who was invited to act as the 2nd Grand Principal for the installation meeting; he was part of the installation team which was very well led by E Comp Russell Race, Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Oliver Lodge, and included his very good friend, E Comp Peter Kinder, Leicestershire & Rutland’s Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, who acted as 3rd Grand Principal.
It was a most enjoyable day and the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire wishes E Comp Phil every success as Grand Superintendent and look forward to welcoming him over the border in the not too distant future.
The Installation team (left to right):- E Comp Wayne Williams, Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Oliver Lodge, MEGS (Warwickshire)
E Comp Philip Hall, 2nd Grand Principal, E Comp Russell Race & E Comp Peter Kinder.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Abington Chapter enjoyed an excellent Installation meeting on Tuesday 22 November 2016 at Sheaf Close, Northampton which marked by the official visit of E Comp Mike Coleman, the Deputy Grand Superintendent who was escorted by E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
E Comp David Watson, Provincial Grand Treasurer in the Craft, was installed as MEZ by E Comp Alan Rance, E Comp John Booth was installed as Haggai and E Comp Pummie Matharu was installed as Joshua.The quality of the ritual throughout the evening was excellent; a special mention for E Comp John Booth for installing his successor, E Comp Pummie Matharu, as Joshua in a superb manner.
We wish the newly installed Principals a very enjoyable year in their respective offices.
The Installation team (left to right):- E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Haggai, E Comp John Booth,
MEZ, E Comp David Watson, Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman & Joshua, E Comp Pummie Matharu
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Monday 28 November 2016, Perseverance Chapter held their Installation Covocation at Kettering Masonic Hall. In attendance was the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E Comp Wayne Williams, accompanied by E Comp Jeff Chambers, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. There were also present E Comp. Mike Coleman Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mark Constant 3rd Provincial Grand Principal and E Comp Barry Cole, PGStB and many other representatives of Provincial Grand Chapter.
Both IPZ E Comp Pat Montgomery and E Comp Brian Willis the incoming 1st Principal conducted their parts of the ceremony with skill and sincerity, particularly in view of their recent personal problems. E Comp B.S.Lotay was installed into the Second Principal's Chair and E Comp A. Cruickshank was installed into the Third Principal's Chair.
We wish the newly installed Principals a very enjoyable year in their respective offices.
The newly installed team (left to right):- Haggai, E Comp Bal Lotay, Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams,
MEZ, E Comp Brian Willis & Joshua, E Comp Alex Cruickshank
- Written by: John Fergusson