Rutland Sailabilty is a very special Charity that encourages and assists disabled people to enjoy freedom afloat – by providing specially-adapted sailing craft in order to help them to learn to sail, to sail for fun or sail competitively. Sailing vessels are fitted with customised and innovative adaptive mechanisms using battery-powered servo-motors etc to enable people with disabilities to manoeuvre and sail them.

Chicheley Chapter 607’s 1st Principal, E.Comp. Mark Ashley, is a regular user of the Rutland Charity’s sailing facilities at Rutland Water; indeed, sailing plays a significant part in his life and he loves the immense pleasure that it gives him despite his incapacity.

It was, therefore, very fitting that the Chapter should support the Charity and, on Thursday 8th August, a very proud E.Comp. Mark, accompanied by the Chapter’s Charity Steward, E.Comp. John Horrell (himself a keen sailor), presented a cheque for £400 to Andrew Painter (Treasurer – Rutland Sailabilty and himself a Leicestershire Mason) to facilitate the purchase of a new battery for one of their sailing craft. 

(left to right) Mrs Sarah Forsyth (Fundraising Manager – Rutland Sailabilty), Andrew Painter (Treasurer, Rutland Sailabilty) and E.Comp. Mark Ashley (MEZ), E.Comp. John Horrell (Charity Steward).

Written by: Michael Genner

Published: 27 August 2019

In late 2018 Chicheley Chapter 607 lost one of its senior Companions, E.Comp. Hywel Parry-Jones, (“Parry”), who was its 2nd Principal at the time. E.Comp. Parry had courageously fought a long battle with cancer before being summoned to the Grand Lodge above on 13th December 2018.

Parry was a Welshman and hence a lover of music and song and, during his later years, was a fervent supporter of the Thrapston Plaza Operatic Society which seeks to put on one operatic performance a year at the former Plaza Cinema in Thrapston. Parry used also to help out with the stage production work and props and, apparently, a regular supply of chocolate biscuits had to be kept on hand to keep him going!

In a very fitting tribute to his work for the Chapter over a number of years and by way of supporting the local community, on Tuesday 13th August, a cheque for £250 was presented to Mark Lee (Treasurer, Thrapston Plaza Operatic Society) by the current MEZ Elect, Parry’s son, E.Comp. Huw Parry-Jones, accompanied by the Chapter’s Charity Steward, E.Comp. John Horrell, another keen supporter of the Plaza Operatic Society.

 

(left to right) E. Comp. John Horrell (Charity Steward), Mark Lee (Treasurer, Thrapston Plaza Operatic Society) and E.Comp. Huw Parry-Jones (MEZ Elect).

 

Written by: Michael Genner

Published: 27 August 2019

A JOLLY FINE ROYAL ARCH DAY

Some 250 Companions attended this year’s Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter at Sheaf Close, Northampton on Thursday 27th June 2019. Sixteen neighbouring Provinces were represented including 12 MEGS.

Jim Boughton, MEGS, opened proceedings in due form, welcoming the visitors and also Northants & Hunts Companions.

A significant part of the agenda included changes in the Exec team. Neil Handley was installed as the new DepGSupt replacing Mike Coleman, standing-down after 4 years in office. John Payne replaced Neil as 2ndProvGPrin and David Brown replaced John as 3rdProvGPrin.   Mike Binsted was appointed Scribe Ezra.

Mike Coleman was presented with a token the Province’s esteem by Jim Boughton and Wayne Williams, PGSupt, acknowledging 12 years’ service in Provincial Office.

In addition, MEGS appointed or reappointed 25 Companions to Active Office. There were 11 first appointments and 27 promotions in Past Rank.

In his address, MEGS thanked all Companions for their tireless work for the Province and announced a new programme of PSA testing, acknowledging the strong support from the PGM and the Craft.

The jovial nature of the day was perhaps summed-up best by David Butt, ProvGSN when he proposed the toast to the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent. In reminding the 230 present at dinner that MEGS had a long and successful career as a teacher, David couldn’t help but wonder whether his own toast would be subject to marking by MEGS after!

L to R Neil Handley, DepGSupt, John Payne, 2ndProvGPrin, Mike Coleman, PDepGSupt, Jim Boughton, MEGS, and David Brown, 3rdProvGPrin

Written by: Michael Genner

Published: 27 August 2019

The Companions of Cytringan Chapter and their visitors, together with the Official Visitor, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal,E Comp Neil Handley and his escort, E Comp Mick Smith, PrAGDC, witnessed a first class ceremony when Bro James Hendry was Exalted into the Royal Arch by the 3 Principals, E Comp John Cummins - Z, E Comp Stuart Nicholls - H and E Comp Brian Thompson - J (acting). the 3 Principals were very ably assisted by the other members of their team. The Chapter was also delighted to have the company of E Comp Mike Coleman, the Deputy Grand Superintendent and E Comp John Payne, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal.

 

Front row (l - r): E Comp John Payne - 3rdPrGPrin, Comp Geoff Hill - 1st AsstSoj, Comp James Hendry, Comp Bill Kelly - PrinSoj.

Back row (l - r):E Comp Mick Smith - PrAGDC, E Comp Neil Handley - 2nd PrGPrin, E Comp Stuart Nichols - H, E Comp John Cummins - Z, E Comp Brian Thomson - J (acting), E Comp Mike Coleman - DepGS

Written by: Michael Genner

Published: 25 May 2019