Provincial
Grand Chapter of Lincolnshire
SHAKESPEARE
CHAPTER ROLLS OUT NEW CARPET
Tuesday
28th February saw the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, EComp
Graham Ives, and members of the Provincial team attended the
Installation meeting of Shakespeare Chapter No:426, Spilsby.
Prior to the Installation of the new team of officers the Most
Excellent Grand Superintendent assisted by EComp. Des O'Neill,
3rd Provincial Grand Principal, dedicated the new Chapter carpet.
The photographs show the MEGS, EComp Graham Ives; his Deputy,
EComp Colin Wells; Provincial Grand Principals, Des O'Neill
and Peter Brooks together with the three Principals of Shakespeare
Chapter, EComps G. Howden (Z); N. Markham (H); and G Wilkinson
(J) also EComps: T Dodds and ProvincialDC EComp A. Bridges
EARL
OF YARBOROUGH ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER NO:2770 - DRAWS THE VEILS ON
50 GOLDEN YEARS
At its
October 2011 50th Anniversary Convocation at Grimsby the Earl
of Yarborough Chapter celebrated its first 50 years, in style.
With an invitation sent to every Chapter in the Province, 116
Companions representing 28 of the 33 Chapters supported the
celebration meeting.
Readings
from early Chapter minutes revealed that, when the Grimsby Lodges
and Chapters moved to the new Centre in Cambridge Rd in 1971,
the first meeting of the Earl of Yarborough Chapter received
a lecture on the Veils Ceremony. This theme was continued and
developed at the 50th Anniversary meeting when the Grand Superintendent,
E. Comp. Graham Ives, a Past First Principal of the Chapter,
“called off” the meeting for a demonstration of
the Veils Ceremony – recently approved by Supreme Grand
Chapter for occasional presentation.
L
to R: E Comp Tony Bridges, Provincial DC; E Comp Des O'Neill,
Provincial 3rd Principal; E Comp Peter Brooks, Provincial 2nd
Principal; E Comp Graham Ives, Grand Superintendent; E Comp
John Wood, 'H' of the Chapter; E Comp Kori Rajasekhara, 'Z'
of the Chapter; E Comp Peter Brookes, 'J' of the Chapter; E
Comp Colin Wells, Deputy Grand Superintendent; E Comp Lindsay
Studd, ADC of the Chapter; E Comp Chris Wilson, Scribe e of
the Chapter and E Comp Bob Marwaha, Past 'Z' of the Chapter
The
demonstration was carried out by members of the Provincial Team
together with Companions of the Chapter. The short and dramatic
Ceremony of the Veils developed in the 18th Century as a preliminary
to the main Exaltation Ceremony. It fell out of vogue nationally
in the mid-1830’s following a national review of Chapter
ritual some years after the creation of United Grand Lodge and
Supreme Grand Chapter; to this day only the Province of Bristol
is authorised to work the Veils Ceremony as part of a Royal
Arch Chapter ceremony.
It
was clear to the appreciative audience on the evening that the
Ceremony, although brief, must have had a major impact on Master
Mason candidates of former days as a preliminary to the drama
of the Exaltation Ceremony as we now know it. For many of the
Companions present, the occasion represented a unique event
and a positive and rewarding ”daily advancement in Masonic
knowledge”.
The
memorable evening was further highlighted when the Grand Superintendent
dedicated a fine new Chapter Kneeling Stool – generously
made and given to the Chapter by E. Comp. Peter Sams PPGReg.
( the Earl of Yarborough Lodge Royal Arch Representative).
The
Grand Superintendent, above left, thanks E. Comp. Peter Sams.
After
completion of the formal business, Chapter members dined with
their guests - when the Grand Superintendent indicated his wish,
subject to Supreme Grand Chapter approval, to hold a further
demonstration elsewhere in the Province, in due course, to allow
for a greater number of Companions to attend.
For
some years now Lincolnshire has enjoyed one of the highest membership
percentages of Royal Arch Companions, when compared to Master
Masons, in the country. On its 50th “birthday” and
with a strong membership of 61 the Earl of Yarborough Chapter
can be justly proud of the part it plays in Royal Arch Masonry
in the Grimsby /Cleethorpes area - and within the Province as
a whole.
ST.
JOHN CHAPTER MAKE LOCAL PRESENTATIONS
The
St John Chapter No:7840 of Scunthorpe showed its generosity
by making two donations to local charities:
To
the Lindsey Lodge Hospice, Scunthorpe, £100, presented
by E.Comp. D.J. Heighton I.P.Z. and E. Comp. D.A. Lee, ADC to
Mrs Vivian Vincent.
And
to Magic Moments for Autistic Kids, £100, Presented by
Comp. J. Vollans, Treasurer, to Mrs Pat Ebbs
E
COMP CHARLES VICTOR HIRST – 50 YEARS A COMPANION
E
Comp Charles Victor Hirst, PPGScrN recently celebrated 50 years
in Royal Arch Masonry when he was presented with a 50 year Certificate
to commemorate the event.
It was hoped that the Provincial Grand Superintendent would
present the Certificate when he visited the Chapter in February
but, unfortunately, E Comp Victor was not quite well enough
to attend and the opportunity was missed.
The
delayed presentation was made by fellow Founder of Isle of Axholme
Chapter No:1482, E Comp Roy Spavin PAGDC, which gave him the
chance to make an emotional presentation and amuse everyone
with stories of E Comp Victor’s early days in the Chapter.
E
Comp Victor Hirst, left, receives his 50 Years a Companion certificate
from E Comp Roy Spavin wathced by the MEZ Michael Rix.
E
Comp Victor Hirst was originally exalted into Bawtry Chapter
No.5174 in the Province of Yorkshire West Riding on the 10th
January 1961, being introduced by E Comp Herbert Blackburn.
He became a Founder Member of Isle of Axholme Chapter on 1st
March 1980 and its first Director of Ceremonies - basing the
ritual on that of Bawtry Chapter.
PROVINCIAL
GRAND CHAPTER MEETING PROVES SUCCESS YET AGAIN
Once
again the Freemasons of Lincolnshire flocked to the Lincolnshire
Showground in record numbers to support the M E Grand Superintendent,
Graham Ives, at the annual Provincial Grand Chapter meeting
- with some 700 Masons attending on the day and 477 sitting
down to luncheon.
The
Grand Superintendent is seen below with his 2nd & 3rd Principals
and nine neighbouring Grand Superintendents along with our own
Past Grand Superintendent, Geoffrey M. Cooper (right), before
the morning Chapter meeting.
Address
to Provincial Grand Chapter by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
on the 11th May 2011
Companions,
I have already welcomed our Distinguished Guests and Heads of
other Orders in the Province. I now take this opportunity to
welcome all the Companions present to our annual Provincial
Meeting. It is heart warming to see so many of you present and
I sincerely hope that you all enjoy your day.
As Grand Superintendent one of the great pleasures is to preside
over our annual Provincial Meeting and have the opportunity
to invest Companions either by way of Appointment for the first
time or Promotion. Today has been no exception. I congratulate
all those who have been invested today and as always your new
Rank is recognition for all your hard work in the past and an
expectation from me that you will continue to work for the Royal
Arch in the future.
The annual Investiture Ceremony of Supreme Grand Chapter was
of course held at the end of last month in Freemasons’ Hall.
Excellent Companion Kenneth Gilman received a much deserved
promotion to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner. It was a great
delight to see my Principals, Excellent Companions Peter Brooks
and Desmond O’Neill, invested by the Pro Grand First Principal
to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer. This Promotion and
these Appointments were well earned and I congratulate them
all.
The
Grand Superintendent flanked by E.Comp Peter Brooks (left),
Provincial 2nd Grand Principal and E.Comp Des O'Neill (right),
Provincial 3rd Grand Principal.
As in previous years the Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals
have made official visits to all of the Chapters in the Province
between them. The Deputy Grand Superintendent has visited about
one third of the Chapters and I have made a similar number of
visits. Lincolnshire is a large Province geographically and
the four of us have made sure that we have all travelled and
visited the length and breadth of the Province. We have always
been warmly received by the Companions and I believe that our
visits have been well received.
I have been accompanied on my official visits by the Provincial
Team. We have very much enjoyed each others company and I trust
that we have formed friendships which will last for many years
to come. I thank the outgoing Provincial Team for their support
and companionships throughout the course of the last year and
I am very much looking forward to working with the new Provincial
Team. I hope that they will be able to support me in force on
my visits.
Companions, a year or two ago I was approached by the Provincial
Grand Organist, Excellent Companion John Pemberton, with a suggestion
that the Province should consider purchasing its own organ.
I was immediately attracted to this because music is so important
in enriching the pleasure of our Meetings. I asked Excellent
Companion John Pemberton to liaise with the Provincial Grand
Organist in Craft, Worshipful Brother Eric Wayman and Excellent
Companion Geoffrey Cooper to investigate the purchase of such
an organ. I am pleased to report that these three Companions
worked hard together and the Province has been able to purchase
an organ for use at our Craft and Chapter Meetings. The cost
was such that it was acceptable to the Provincial Grand Treasurers
of both Orders. The Lincoln Brethren and Companions have kindly
agreed to store the organ at their own premises in Lincoln and
use it whenever it is possible. The benefits of the new organ
will be obvious to all attending today. The music has been quite
rousing and I thank Excellent Companion John Pemberton for this
significant initiative which I believe will benefit the Province
for years to come.
Companions, as you are aware there will be a celebration for
Supreme Grand Chapter in 2013. This is a 200 year celebration
despite the fact that Royal Arch Masonry has of course been
in existence for more than 200 years. It is to celebrate 200
years since the birth and recognition of modern Royal Arch Masonry
in the Preliminary Declaration. The Declaration remains firm
and constant to this day. Companions, it is worth repeating
its terms: By the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand
Lodges of Freemasons of England in December 1813, it was “declared
and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees
and no more, viz., Those of the Entered Apprentice the Fellow
Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the
Holy Royal Arch”.
I am sure you agree, Companions, that it is very important to
celebrate 200 years since this historic pronouncement. You will
be aware that the First Grand Principal has launched an appeal
in support of the Royal College of Surgeons and it is hoped
that a presentation will be made at the celebration amounting
to the equivalent of £10 per Companion plus the benefit of Gift
Aid. This is a very worthwhile cause. The Royal College of Surgeons
relies entirely upon charitable donations and Freemasonry has
always supported it in a generous manner over many years. The
work of the Royal College of Surgeons is well known and I suspect
that every Companion here today will have received the benefits
of the work undertaken by the Royal College either themselves
personally or someone very close to them. Of course all of our
Companions in the Province are not active and therefore I am
looking for a one off payment during the course of the next
year or two from every Companion in the Province which will
enable us to make a donation in excess of £20,000. I know that
I am asking the Companions to dig into their pockets again at
the same time as regular contributions are being made in support
of the 2014 Craft Festival. However, the Brethren and Companions
are well known for their generosity to charitable causes. I
know you will rise to the challenge. I have asked Excellent
Companion Richard Garn, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward,
to oversee the Appeal with the support and assistance of the
Deputy Grand Superintendent.
Companions, since my Installation as Grand Superintendent three
years ago I have introduced a number of initiatives relating
to recruitment, retention and retrieval. These initiatives have
been supported by my Executive. The pamphlet on Royal Arch Masonry
is widely distributed throughout the Province. Each recipient
of a Grand Lodge Certificate in Craft continues to receive at
the same time a letter from me concerning the Royal Arch. There
is a Royal Arch Representative in each Craft Lodge and those
Representatives are overseen by Excellent Companion Terry Little.
The Deacons and Wardens of Craft Lodges, who are not Royal Arch
Masons, receive a gentle letter from me personally encouraging
them to complete their journey through Pure and Antient Masonry.
The Provincial Grand Secretary on my behalf has communicated
with each Lodge Secretary making a gentle and polite suggestion
that the Worshipful Master may be prepared to take wine with
the Royal Arch Masons at the Festive Board. This is a practice
which is supported by Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter.
It is a practice which already takes place in some other Provinces
and indeed was taking place already in at least one of our Lodges.
This has been generally well received but it has caused some
comment. I stress that if Lodges do not wish to adopt this cause
of action they do not have to do so. It is not intended that
it should embarrass anybody. It is simply intended to help draw
attention to the importance of Royal Arch Masonry in Craft Lodges
and provide the Worshipful Master with an opportunity to welcome
the Royal Arch Masons at his Festive Board.
I now refer to the report of the Provincial Grand Registrar,
Excellent Companion Reginald Brittan. It will be seen that the
individual members as at the 31st December 2010 is 8 higher
than last year. The total memberships are 16 more than last
year. These are only slight increases but nevertheless they
are encouraging. Excluding the Chapter of Installed First Principals
there have been 75 Exaltations in the last year in the 32 Chapters.
The previous year there were 66 Exaltations. There have been
27 joining members last year compared with 14 the previous year.
As always regrettably there have been deaths, resignations and
exclusions during the last year. All of the Chapters had at
least one Exaltation Ceremony during the last year. Some had
one. Mainly each Chapter had two or three, and one even had
four. None of the Chapters are in danger of merger or closure,
and most have a membership of between 42 and 65. Excellent Companion
Reginald Brittan has submitted to me a profile of membership
in the Province both with regard to Craft and the Royal Arch.
In 2001 the individual membership in the Royal Arch was 1761
and the percentage of Royal Arch Masons within the Province
overall was 46.3%. In 2010 the individual membership amounted
to 1682. This represents 47% of the Masons within the Province.
Hence the present situation is very encouraging but we should
not rest on our laurels. It is always important to encourage
all Master Masons to take that important step into Royal Arch
Masonry and then it is equally important to make sure that they
enjoy themselves with us.
I continue to receive official reports from the Provincial Grand
Principals, my Deputy and Supreme Grand Chapter Officers who
represent me at Installation Meetings. These reports arise from
all their official visits. I am encouraged by the contents of
the same and I can assure you Companions that I read and consider
every one of them. I am grateful to the Supreme Grand Chapter
Officers for representing me on this basis and also for the
important work they carry out in the Chapters throughout the
year as Liaison Officers. This is most important for the wellbeing
of the Province.
I am deeply indebted to the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, Excellent
Companion David F. Brown and his team for all the work which
they have undertaken during the course of the last year and
in particular in the arrangements for today. The Provincial
Grand Scribe Ezra is well supported in the office by his Assistant,
Excellent Companion John Hannath. He also receives assistance
in the Provincial office from Excellent Companion Dr. Brian
Roberts and Excellent Companion Neil Charlesworth. I thank them
all.
Today has been the first annual meeting for Excellent Companion
Anthony Bridges as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
I thank and congratulate him for the hard work he has put in
so far as preparation is concerned and also for the work which
has been carried out today. He has much to be pleased about
and I am looking forward to working with him in the years to
come. He has of course been well supported by his Deputies,
Excellent Companions Barry Harriman and David Metcalf together
with of course the Assistants.
I thank the Companions of the host Chapter, Ermine Chapter for
their work and assistance leading up to today and during today.
They have been assisted by other Lincoln Companions and also
by the Brethren of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge. Many
thanks to all of you. I also thank Excellent Companion Mark
Goddard for his hard and efficient work with the sound system.
Companions, the last three years have flown by. I have said
many times that during my terms of office as Provincial Grand
Master and Grand Superintendent I shall do everything I can
to ensure that this colourful and wonderful Order continues
to flourish in this Province. I can only do that with your continuing
support and friendship. It is most important to me, Companions,
that we are happy in each others company and enjoy Royal Arch
Masonry to the full. I know that this is the case because of
all the smiling faces I encounter on my travels and indeed today.
Please ensure that you continue to enjoy your Royal Arch Masonry.
I thank you very much for attending, listening to me, and I
sincerely hope that you will enjoy the rest of your day.
E
COMP GEOFFREY COWLING - 50YEARS IN THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH
E.
Comp. Geoffrey Cowling recently celebrated 50 years in Royal
Arch Masonry - he was initiated into Freemasonry on the 8th
May 1958 and exalted on the 20th March 1961into the Acorn and
Rose Chapter No. 5677.
E.
Comp Geoffrey Cowling, Past Provincial Scribe N, proudly displays
his certificate which had been presented by E. Comp. David Sprawson,
Past Assistant Grand Soj.
Later,
Geoffrey joined the Granta Chapter No. 4950 on the 3rd June
1961, and subsequently became 1st Principal on the 5th May 1994.
Hearty
congratulations Geoffrey .
GEOFFREY
MAWER COOPER CHAPTER SPECIAL EVENING
The
last meeting of the Geoffrey Cooper Chapter of Installed First
Principals No:9467 saw its namesake presented with a '50 Years
in the Holy Royal Arch Certificate'. The Chapter which normally
meets at Horncastle was not able to cope with the number attending
(over 100 Companions) and so the meeting was held at Grantham.
The
M. E. Grand Superintendent, E. Comp Graham Ives, congratulates
E Comp Geoffrey Mawer Cooper, Past Grand Superintendent, on
completing his 50 Years as a Royal Arch Mason.
This
special night was further enhanced by a talk from well known
Masonic author, after-dinner speaker and guide E Comp Yasha
Beresiner on the history of the Royal Arch
Left
to right: E Comp Colin Wells, Deputy Grand Superintendent; E
Comp Peter Brooks, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal; E Comp Graham
Ives, the M E Grand Superintendent; E Comp Des O'Neill, 3rd
Provincial Grand Principal, E Com pGeofrey Cooper, Past Grand
Superintendent; E Comp Yasha Beresiner.
Photos courtesy of Tony Bridges Photography.
E
COMP JIM HOWES - 50 YEARS IN THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH
E
Comp James Robert Howes celebrated 50 years in Royal Arch Masonry
when he was presented with a 50 Year Certificate to commemorate
the event by E Comp Colin Wells, the Deputy Grand Superintendent.
In the Craft, he had been Initiated into the Lindis Lodge No:4690
on the 20th April,1950 and was later Exalted on the 23rd March
1961 into St Botolph’s Chapter No:272 in Boston. He was
made Past Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works in the Craft
in 1994 and Past Grand Standard Bearer in the Royal Arch in
1997. A truly dedicated Craft and Royal Arch Mason.
E
COMP JOHN COX HONOURED BY WELLOW ABBEY ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER NO.
8819
The
First Principal Excellent Companion John Howell of Wellow Abbey
Chapter presented Excellent Companion John Cox with an engraved
cut glass Decanter and glasses to mark the Chapters appreciation
of his 15 years service as director of Ceremonies of the Wellow
Abbey Chapter.
The engraved Decanter and Glasses are received by a
very pleased E Comp Cox (left) from E Comp John Howell
Excellent Companion John J. Cox P.Pr. G. S.N. with his gift
of gratitude at the Wellow Abbey Chapter Installation meeting,
Festive board having retired as D.C. after 15 years of service.
Wishing Excellent Companion John Cox an enjoyable retirement
from office.
