Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
At the Provincial Grand Charity AGM on Saturday 10th March 2018, I announced the details of the Appointments and Promotions to Grand Rank for 2018 and, on behalf of the Province, I extend our sincere congratulations on First Appointments to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to :
WBro Dale Robert Gilbert – Risdene Lodge No. 6532
WBro Dale is a well known and popular figure around our Province as he has been our Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies since May 2015, having previously served as the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. He is very committed to maintaining the high ceremonial and ritual standards within this Province so this preferment is richly deserved.
WBro William Murray Caswell – Lodge of Perseverance No. 455
WBro William is a very busy Freemason and is well known to many because he is the Provincial Grand Orator and has been since 2015, an appointment which he serves with some considerable distinction. He has made tremendous efforts to explain our ceremonies and ritual to members old and new.
Our congratulations are also extended to the following Brethren for their respective Reappointment and Appointments.
VWBro James Henry Newman, OBE – Old Wellingburian Lodge No. 5570 has been reappointed as Deputy President of the Masonic Charitable Foundation which continues to be a source of great pride to this Province, particularly, as the 2024 Festival has been formally launched and we are raising funds for the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
At last, we’re off! Our 2024 MCF Festival is under way.
Over the weekend, despite arctic conditions, successful launch dinners were held on Friday 2 March 2018 and Saturday 3 March, respectively at Peterborough and Northampton. About 300 braved the treacherous conditions to attend.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Saturday the 10th February 2018, Anglo Scottish Lodge hosted their annual Beer Festival at Sheaf Close, Northampton to raise funds for 3 Pillars Feeding The Homeless Trust.
During the event, the Italy-Ireland and Wales-England Six Nations matches were shown to keep the drinkers entertained. WBro Ged Dempsey took the opportunity to explain more about 3 Pillars Feeding The Homeless Trust and the work that they are doing across in Peterborough. The afternoon was supported by Brethren from many different Lodges from across the Province and a number of non-Masons.
There was a range of fine ales on offer. All bar one, were brewed locally by Bro Lee Kellett and Bro Ian Bosworth, and proved to be very popular. There was also a Prosecco Bar as well as some food provided by WBro Tony Marshall, WBro Barry Weigleb, Bro Gary Thornton and their wives.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Wednesday 28th February 2018, E Comp Jim Boughton was installed as the 13th Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire. The meeting was attended by Companions from Chapters across the Province as well as a number of Grand Superintendents from other Provinces.
This Installation Convocation was honoured by the presence of the ME 2nd Grand Principal, E Comp Russell Race, DL as well as the Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Oliver Lodge. The ME 2nd Grand Principal conducted the Installation ceremony and was assisted by E Comp Peter Kinder, Grand Superintendent of Leicestershire and Rutland, and E Comp Colin Brown, Grand Superintendent of Worcestershire. Once he had been installed, the Grand Superintendent appointed E Comp Neil Handley as 2nd Provincial Grand Principal and reappointed E Comp Mike Coleman as Deputy Grand Superintendent and E Comp Mark Constant as 3rd Provincial Grand Principal.
Deputy Grand Scribe Ezra, E Comp Graham Redman, read the Grand Superintendent’s Patent in his own inimitable way and the Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Oliver Lodge, ensured that the ceremony ran without a hitch.
Once the Installation ceremony was complete, the newly installed Grand Superintendent addressed the Convocation, thanking all those who had come to this special meeting. He spoke of how honoured he is to be leading the Province and reaffirmed how he is looking to build upon the tremendous work of his predecessor as well as supporting the Provincial Grand Master in ensuring that we attract the right men into Freemasonry.
A very enjoyable Festive Board followed the meeting and the Grand Superintendent presented the ME 2nd Grand Principal with a bottle of Kingswell Gin, Marmalade and Chutney with the whole of the Installation team receiving a commemorative glass and bottle of IPA from the resurrected 'Phipps' Brewery as a memento of his Installation Convocation.
All in all and despite the inclement weather, it was a fine day and the beginning of a new chapter for the Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
Our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Jim Boughton, is pictured below with the ME 2nd Grand Principal E Comp Russell Race, DL
The new Provincial Executive is pictured below from left to right: Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal
E Comp Neil Handley, Grand Superintendent, E Comp Jim Boughton & 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant
