Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
On his official visit to St John’s Chapter No: 3972 on Wednesday 17 February, our ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, was joined by three distinguished visitors from the Royal Arch Province of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire – the ME Grand Superintendent Graham C King, the Third Provincial Grand Principal, David W Ford, together with E Comp George Lee. It was an ideal opportunity for E Comp George to bring home and formally present back to the Chapter the IPZ jewel previously belonging to the late E Comp Leo Coulston together with an original Chapter Founders’ jewel which was also previously in Leo’s possession.
E Comp George Lee, in years past, was at school with E Comp Leo who, over recent years, had enjoyed strong Masonic connections in both this Province and the Province of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire. E Comp Leo passed to the Grand Chapter Above on 17 January 2014 at his home in Gloucestershire. He was exalted into St John’s Chapter on 15 February 1967 and attained the First Principal’s Chair in 1981. He became a joining member of the Gloucestershire Schools Chapter No: 7228 in November 1985 and was proudly a Founder of our own Buckby Castle Chapter in January 2000, serving as Scribe N for 8 years up until November 2008.
In the Craft, E Comp Leo was awarded the rank of PPrJGW both in this Province and the Province of Gloucestershire but, with the passing of the years, he gradually found it necessary to curtail his Masonic commitments. Yet many Companions in both Provinces will fondly remember E Comp Leo Coulston who truly lived respected and died regretted.
Pictured above are (left to right): E Comp David W Ford – Third Provincial Grand Principal (Glos & Herefordshire), E Comp Geoff Allen – Joshua,
E Comp Phil Martin – Haggai, E Comp Richard Stokes – Zerubbabel – (all St John’s Chapter), E Comp George Lee (Glos & Herefordshire),
ME Grand Superintendent – E Comp Wayne Williams, ME Grand Superintendent (Glos and Herefordshire), E Comp Graham King
& E Comp Steve Seward PrAGDC
- Written by: John Fergusson
On 12 February, Petriburg Lodge No. 8767 were hosts to the Royal Arch Provincial Demonstration Team who performed a play entitled "How & Why Royal Arch". The play, which was both informative and humorous, was set in the latter part of the 18th Century and explored the tensions between the Ancients and the Moderns, and the formation of the “Fourth Degree”, which was influenced by the Irish Freemason, Lawrence Dermott.
All of those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the event and a fortunate few in the audience enjoyed tankards of wine supplied by the Potman of the tavern in which the play was set.
The Demonstration Team pictured below with the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro David Burton (front left),
W Bro Perrin-Brown (WM, Petriburg Lodge) and the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams (front right)
- Written by: John Fergusson
Tuesday 9 February was the convocation of Thistle and Rose Chapter at which Bro Stephen Skillen was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, completed his journey from Initiation to Exaltation and became Comp Stephen Skillen. The Chapter was honoured to have E Comp Mark Constant, the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in attendance accompanied by E Comp Tony Winn, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. Also in attendance was the Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp Mike Coleman and Past Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp David Jackson.
Companion Stephen Skillen (pictured below) was proposed by his brother Companion Richard Skillen (pictured right) and seconded by his father Companion Alex Skillen (pictured left). Thistle and Rose Chapter is no stranger to father and son members as they also can boast Companions Ron and Chris Goode and Companions Mel and Matt Garner.
The Three Principals, E Comp Graham Roger, E Comp David Docherty and E Comp Chris Goode led an excellent ceremony which saw several officers produce some superb work. The Principal Sojourner, Comp Andy McWilliam, and 1st Assistant Sojourner, Comp Willie Docherty performed their work in the most exemplary manner. The signs were presented by E Comp Alex Henderson with great style, followed by the Symbolical Lecture presented solely by E Comp David Docherty whilst he walked the candidate Comp Stephen Skillen around the chapter followed by the Mystical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by E Comp Ken Marris, E Comp Tom Strickland, and E Comp Keith Millington. Finally, Comp Matt Garner was presented his Grand Chapter Certificate by the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant.
The 3rd Provincial Grand Principal is pictured below with the Principals of the Chapter and the Exaltee:
Left to Right: E Comp Tony Winn, E Comp David Docherty, E Comp Mark Constant, Comp Stephen Skillen, E Comp Graham Roger & E Comp Chris Goode.
A thoroughly enjoyable Festive Board followed which was enjoyed by all, particularly, the Exaltee, his father and brother. It is good to see that Royal Arch Masonry is going strong within the Thistle and Rose Chapter and looks that it will continue to do so from generation to generation.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Friday 19 February, Bro John Darby became Comp John Darby and completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry at Kingsley Chapter.
It was an excellent ceremony which was led by the Chapter’s Principals who were supported by a guest appearance from E Comp Roger Blason who acted as the Principal Sojourner and he delivered his work in his usual accomplished manner.
The evening was finished off with a superb Festive Board to complete the evening and welcome Comp Darby into the Royal Arch Masonry.
Comp John Darby is pictured below with (left to right): E Comp Roger Blason, E Comp Andy Moore, E Comp Tony Potter, Comp John Darby and E Comp Nigel Dickens