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PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER
MAY 2009 - A GREAT SUCCESS
Companions from around the Province gathered at the Epic Centre on the Linconshire Showground on Wednesday 13th May 2009 to attend Provincial Grand Chapter.
The day started with Provincial Grand Chapter in the morning which was graced by the presence of the 2nd Grand Principle, Most Excellent Companion George Pipon Francis. Following this a splendid luncheon was provided which was attended by 456 Companions and Brethren. In the afternoon it was the turn of Provincial Grand Lodge where the numbers in attendance reached some 600!

The 2nd Grand Principal, M.E.Comp George Pipon Francis (left) with the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Graham Ives at Provincial Grand Chapter.
Address to Provincial Grand Chapter by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
on the 13th May 2009
Companions, it is wonderful to see so many of you here today supporting Royal Arch Masonry in Lincolnshire at our magnificent new venue. I have already welcomed our Distinguished Guests and Heads of other Orders. I sincerely hope that all the Companions here have a very happy day.
Companions, you will be aware that for many years Provincial Grand Chapter has been held at a different venue each year. This had obvious advantages. However, each year was in effect a step into the unknown so far as the Provincial Secretariat and the Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies were concerned. We have always received magnificent support and assistance in the arrangements for our meetings from all the Companions throughout the Province. Every meeting I have attended has always been happy and successful. However, we are of course now blessed with this wonderful venue which is in the centre of our large Province. The fact that Provincial Grand Chapter is held on the same day as Provincial Grand Lodge will help to reinforce the inextricable link which there is between Craft and Royal Arch Masonry.
I am very fortunate to have a cheerful and supportive team.
I extend my deep gratitude to the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, Excellent Companion David F. Brown and his team, for all their hard work during the course of the last year and in the weeks leading up to this meeting.
As always the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Excellent Companion David C. Bird, and his Deputies, have excelled throughout the last year and of course today. Their efficiency and poise is there for all to see today.
I thank the Companions of the host Chapter, the Chapter of Concord No. 297, for their hard work in the arrangements for today, and of course all other Companions who have contributed.
Music is of course central to the success of our meetings. I am sure that you would wish to join with me, Companions, in thanking Excellent Companion John Pemberton, the Provincial Organist for his rousing and inspiring playing today.
I have continued to receive all the support I would expect from the Supreme Grand Chapter Officers including representing me at Installation Meetings and reporting to the office thereafter. The role of the Liaison Officer in each Chapter is of course very important. I do know that the Chapters enjoy the attendance of the Liaison Officers and the reports and assistance they provide me with are invaluable.
I congratulate all of those who have been Invested today either by way of Appointment for the first time or Promotion. It has been a great pleasure for me to see so many of you present and clearly enjoying the day. Your new Rank is a reward for all your hard work in the past and also with an expectation from me that you will continue to work for the Royal Arch in the future.
I was delighted to attend the Investiture Ceremony last month of Supreme Grand Chapter which was presided over by the First Grand Principal, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. I was delighted to witness the Deputy Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companion Colin A. Wells, being promoted to Past Grand Sword Bearer.
I was particularly proud to see Excellent Companion David A. Sprawson, promoted to the senior Rank of Past Assistant Grand Sojourner. I was similarly proud to see the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, Excellent Companion David F. Brown receive first Appointment as Past Grand Standard Bearer and Excellent Companion W. John Hockin receive first Appointment as Past Grand Standard Bearer. I was very sad that Excellent Companion Keith Slater passed away on the 13th April last and was not able therefore to receive his much deserved first Appointment as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. However, I do know that he was delighted to be appointed to that Rank and I had a very happy telephone conversation with him when he received his letter from Supreme Grand Chapter at the beginning of March. He was already very ill at that time.
I confirm that I, together with my Deputy, Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals, have continued to make official visits to the Chapters regularly. We have always been warmly received. We have enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of all the Companions throughout the Province and I trust that the Chapters have enjoyed our visits. All of the Chapters have received an Official Visit from the Second or the Third Provincial Grand Principal. My Deputy and I have also made Official Visits to a large proportion of the Chapters.
I have very much enjoyed being accompanied by the Provincial Team. We have formed close friendships throughout the course of the year. We have been very happy and enjoyed each others company. I thank the outgoing team for all their support and I look forward to working with the new team in the year ahead.
I was delighted to present a Sixty year Certificate to Excellent Companion Raymond Leonard Ringrose in January at St. Botolph’s Chapter in Boston. Sixty years in the Royal Arch is a considerable achievement. Also you will all be aware of the substantial contribution he has made during his masonic career not only in the Royal Arch but in other Orders as well. He has held many high Offices. His contribution towards freemasonry in Lincolnshire will never be forgotten and I am sorry that he is not able to be with us today.
I also enjoyed during the last year a first for me. Wellow Abbey Chapter celebrated 25 years since its Consecration at its meeting on Thursday the 16th April last. It was the wish of the Companions of that Chapter that the ladies should attend. I have to confess, Companions, that this was the first time I had attended a masonic meeting with the ladies. The Provincial Team was in attendance as well. When the Chapter was called off, and the ladies were admitted into the Chapter Room, I was somewhat nervous in addressing the Companions and ladies, particularly with the intense and critical eye of Mrs Janet Ives upon me! However, it was, I believe a very successful and happy evening.
I have enjoyed all my visits throughout the Province and I am very much looking forward to the years ahead.
The Executive has been very active during the course of the last year. Each master mason upon receipt of his Grand Lodge Certificate receives at the same time a personal letter from me which I hope will encourage him to join the Royal Arch as soon as he can. We have also produced a short pamphlet to promote the Order. I shall be adopting the practice of one of our neighbouring Provinces whereby a letter will be forwarded to all Deacons and Wardens of Craft Lodges who are not yet Royal Arch Masons. It will be a personal letter from me as Provincial Grand Master inviting the brethren concerned to reflect upon the virtues of the Royal Arch.
Each Craft Lodge has now appointed a Royal Arch Representative. This is an initiative which was encouraged and recommended by the Second Grand Principal when he presented a Working Group Report in November 2007 to Supreme Grand Chapter. Excellent Companion J. Terry Little has been asked by me to oversee the appointment of Royal Arch Representatives in Craft Lodges and also to explain to them what is required. He has recently carried out meetings with the Representatives in the South, the North and the centre of the Province. He has been supported at those meetings by my Deputy and/or the Second Provincial Grand Principal and/or the Third Provincial Grand Principal. I understand that the meetings were successful and the purpose of them was to explain to the Royal Arch Representatives in more detail what is expected of them. I urge you, Companions, to support this very important initiative. It is our duty to encourage all Master Masons to complete their journey through Pure and Antient Freemasonry by being exalted into the Royal Arch. However, we should not be over vigorous, and we should also be sensitive to the needs of the other Orders.
The Craft Festival for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys was launched last October and started this year. I hope that the Royal Arch will play a positive role during the course of the Festival. I have asked the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward to liaise with our newly Invested Provincial Grand Charity Steward concerning the role which we would expect the Royal Arch to take during the course of the Festival. I urge all individual Chapters to support the Festival wherever they can. It is also my wish that all Chapters should appoint a Charity Steward as soon as possible taking into account the challenges of the 2014 Festival.
Before he passed away Excellent Companion Keith Slater, the Provincial Grand Almoner in Craft, had suggested to me that there should be an initiative to bring together all the Provincial Almoners of the different Orders so that they could work together with a common aim. I gave his initiative my blessing and he knew, and I knew, that it would take some time to implement such an initiative. However, I am actively looking at the role of the Provincial Grand Almoner in Chapter and I sincerely hope that it can be more positive than perhaps it has been in the past.
I indicated in my Address last year that it was my wish all Chapters should appoint an Almoner. Most Chapters have done so. The Chapter Almoner has a very important role to undertake with regard to the important issues of retrieval and retention. Also he will undertake the traditional role of an Almoner.
I have been pleased to introduce during the course of the last year Certificates to celebrate Fifty years in the Royal Arch which is of course a considerable achievement. Such Certificates have been formally presented to relevant Companions by senior members of the Province including me, my Deputy and Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals. I believe that they have been very well received.
I want to talk about the quality of our meetings and ritual. I don’t expect the Companions to be perfect in their delivery. However, I do consider that it is essential we work hard at our ritual and the way in which we conduct our Ceremonies and the procedures at the Festive Board afterwards. The Ceremonies are there for all to enjoy. None of us want to see Companions being prompted continually. We need to ensure that the procedures afterwards at the Festive Board are slick and efficient. We all enjoy our Chapter Masonry even more when we achieve high standards. That isn’t to say that I have seen difficulties in Lincolnshire throughout my visits. I have generally been impressed with what I have seen and heard. All I ask is that we continue to work hard so that we enjoy our Royal Arch Masonry to the full.
In conclusion Companions it has been a great honour and pleasure for me to serve this Province as Grand Superintendent since I was Installed on the 24th June last. My commitment to this wonderful Order should never be underestimated. During my term of Office as Grand Superintendent and as Provincial Grand Master I shall do my best to ensure that Royal Arch Masonry continues to flourish in this Province throughout the years ahead. Please do all you can to encourage Master Masons to complete their journey through Pure and Antient Freemasonry by being Exalted into Royal Arch Masonry. Do your best, Companions, to ensure that they enjoy themselves amongst us and, above all, please make sure that you continue to enjoy your Royal Arch Masonry to the full. We must all work together for the benefit of this wonderful Order. I thank you very much for attending, listening to me, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the rest of your day.

Centre left is 2nd Grand Principal, M.E.Comp G.P. Francis congratulating the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Graham Ives after Provincial Grand Chapter. Looking on are (left) E.Comp Tony Bridges the Provincial 2nd Principal and (right) E.Comp Richard Garn the Provincial 3rd Principal.

ISLE
OF AXHOLME CHAPTER NO:1482 LEND A HELPING HAND TO ST ANDREW'S
HOSPICE
The Companions of the Isle of Axholme
Chapter No:1482, which meet at Crowle, showed their generosity
by donating a cheque for £400 to St Andrew's Hospice, Grimsby.

Left to right: E Comp. Harry
Cousins, Mr Mike Gresham - St Andrew's Hospice, E Comp Ian Wilkinson
and E Comp Cliff Reeves hand over the cheque on behalf od the
Companions of the Isle of Axholme Chapter.
St. Andrew’s Hospice offers
care regardless of race, creed or ability to pay. They offer their
services at no charge, relying mainly on the generosity and kindness
of charity donations to provide a real home from home for patients
and their families.
Visit the St Andre'ws Hospice web
site by Clicking
Here

ST
LAWRENCE CHAPTER CELEBRATE LONG SERVICE AWARDS
Three members of St Lawrence Chapter No:2078 were presented with '50 Years in the Holy Royal Arch' certificates.
The first photograph taken last Thursday at the St Lawrence Chapter meeting shows E Comp A Bridges, Second Provincial Grand Principal, presenting a 50 year certificate to E Comp C.F. Hopkinson, Past Grand Scribe N.
While Provincial Grand Chapter has only recently started issuing these certificates to Companions that have achieved '50 Years in the Holy Royal Arch ' , E Comp Hopkinson was actually Exalted into the Holy Royal Arch on 12/11/1953 - so this is really to mark over 55 years in Chapter.

E Comp A Bridges presents the certificate to E Comp C.F. Hopkinson
The second photograph (below) shows Comp. Ken Green receiving his certificate from E Comp Alan Robinson. Comp Green was Exalted on 13/11/1958.

and thirdly E Comp Bob Wareing receiving his - again from E Comp Alan Robinson. E Comp Wareing was Exalted on 10/10/1957.

Unfortunately, both Comp Green and E Comp Wareing were unable to attend the St Lawrence Chapter meeting when E Comp Tony Bridges attended to make the presentations. E Comp Robinson was pleased to 'do the honours' for Tony as he has known both the recipients for a considerable number of years. The presentations were done in their respective homes.
Our congratulations go to all three of these Companions.
COMPANION
JIMMY JACKSON M.B.E. OF LORD WORSLEY CHAPTER NO:3017 RECEIVES
50 YEAR CERTIFICATE
February 10th 2009 was a special day for Companion Jimmy
Jackson M.B.E. when the Provincial Grand Third Principal,
E.Comp Richard Garn, visited Lord Worsley Chapter No:3017
to present him with a certificate to mark his 50 years
in the Holy Royal Arch.
The special presentation took place at the regular February
meeting of the Lord Worsley Chapter in Cleethorpes Masonic
Hall - where E.Comp Garn also presented a Supreme Grand
Chapter Certificate to Comp. Peter Teanby who has just
started out on his Royal Arch journey.

Comp. Peter Teanby;
E.Comp David Brown, Prov Scribe 'E'; E.Comp Rob Stevens,
'H' of Lord Worsley Chapter; E. Comp Richard Garn PGStB,
the 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E.Comp Gordon Cockerill,
Acting 'M.E.Z.' Lord Worsley Chapter; Comp. Jimmy Jackson,
E.Comp David Mackie, Acting 'J' of Lord Worsley Chapter;
E. Comp Mike Clarke PAGDC, Prov. Assistant Scribe 'E'and
member of Lord Worsley Chapter.
Comp Jackson, a young 80 year old, was Exalted
into Royal Arch Masonry on the 11th December 1956 - actually
making this his 53 year as a Companion. He is well known
in the area as "Mr. Winter Gardens" which he
managed so well for many years and which was used by both
local Masons for Ladies Evenings, etc. and also for Provincial
Grand Lodge on a number of occasions. He was awarded the
M.B.E. in 2005 for services to the community in Cleethorpes.
During the presentation of the Royal Arch
Certificate to Comp. Teanby, a young chap in his 73rd
year, E.Comp Garn said that he looked forward to being
there to present him with his 50 Years in the Holy Royal
Arch Certificate!
It just goes to show that it is never too
late to come into Royal Arch Masonry.

OLIVER
CHAPTER NO:792 OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS MAKE DOUBLE PRESENTATION.
The Oliver Chapter No:792 of Royal Arch Masons donated the sum
of £250 to both the St. Andrew's Childrens Hospice, helping
sick children and their families, and the 'Wish upon a Star Appeal',
assisting childen with difficulties make once in a lifetime trips.

Ex.Comp Alan Mason presents
cheques to Mrs. Pat Wright (left) and Mrs. Yvonne Wright (right).
The First Principal of Oliver Chapter, Ex.Companion Alan Mason,
prsented the cheques to Mrs. Pat Wright for the 'Wish upon a Star
Appeal' and Mrs Yvonne Wright for St.Andrew's Hospice at the Grimsby
Masonic Hall.

WHY
JOIN THE ROYAL ARCH?
Four weeks after being raised to the Third Degree
all Master Masons
are entitled, and are strongly recommended, to be exalted to the
Supreme Degree of the Holy Royal Arch.
This Supreme Degree has been described as both
the foundation and keystone of the whole Masonic structure, and
also as being the next step in Freemasonry after the Craft Degrees
and the final step in pure ancient Masonry.
It is both an integral part of Craft Masonry as
well as being its completion.
In Craft Masonry, a brother acknowledges a belief
in a Supreme Being, but this is never explored. In the Royal Arch,
a mason continues and completes his education and knowledge of
Craft Masonry and is invited to consider his relationship and
dependence on God. It can therefore justly be claimed to be the
climax of Freemasonry and no brother can really consider his Masonic
journey to be complete until he has joined the Royal Arch.
Chapter membership is a prerequisite for admission
to certain other Orders of Freemasonry.
Just as Craft Masons meet in a Lodge, Royal Arch
Masons meet in a Chapter and are known as Companions. Chapters
usually hold three or four meetings a year and the
fees and annual subscriptions are generally smaller than those
in the Craft.
As in a Craft Lodge, there is progression of officers towards
the chairs of the three Principals who govern the Chapter.
The Royal Arch is the only other Order under the
same Book of Constitutions as Craft Masonry and is administered
by Supreme Grand Chapter, its principal officers and officials
being mainly the same as those of the United Grand Lodge of England.
The Province is led by the Grand Superintendent, who is assisted
by his Deputy and the Second and Third Principals.
As in Craft Masonry "to please each other
and unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating
happiness" is still an objective, but it is one which in
Chapter we can view in a deeper and more rewarding light. Your
enjoyment of the Royal Arch will be in proportion to your contribution
to the happiness of your Companions.
Make up your mind to enjoy your Royal Arch Masonry
as you do that of the Craft and you will come to understand that
the Holy Royal Arch is the essence of Freemasonry.

REGALIA
OF A ROYAL ARCH COMPANION
The regalia worn by Companions of the Order consist
of a white apron with red and blue edging, a red and blue sash,
and a breast jewel with white ribbon.
LOCATION
OF ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER MEETINGS
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MASONIC HALL
BRIGG ROAD
BARTON ON HUMBER
LINCOLNSHIRE
DN18 5DH
Saint Matthew
Chapter No:1447
Second Tuesday, November, January, March (I), and May.

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MASONIC HALL
MAIN RIDGE
BOSTON
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE21 6QQ
St.Botolphs Chapter No:272
Third Moday, October (I), November, January, March,
and April.
Pilgrim Fathers
Chapter No:8795
Second Thursday, October, December, February, and May (I).
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MASONIC TEMPLE
WHERRYS LANE
BOURNE
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE10 9HQ
Hereward Chapter
No:1232
First Wednesday November (I), February, April, and June.
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MASONIC ROOMS
CARY LANE
BRIGG
LINCOLNSHIRE
DN20 8ES
Ancholme Chapter
No:1282
First Tuesday, October, December, February (I), and April.
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MASONIC HALL
1 KINGS ROAD
CLEETHORPES
N. E. LINCOLNSHIRE
DN35 0AJ
Lord Worsley
Chapter No:3017
Second Tuesday, October (I), December, February,and April.
St. Peter Chapter
No:7648
First Thursday, November, January, March, and May(I). |
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MASONIC HALL
PARK VIEW
CROWLE
LINCOLNSHIRE
DN17 4JA
Isle of Axholme
Chapter No: 1482
Fourth Thursday November (I), February, April, and June.
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MASONIC HALL
NEW ROW,
Off 96 BRIDGE STREET
DEEPING ST. JAMES
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE6 8HA
St. Guthlac Chapter
No:2880
Second Thursday, September (I), December, January, and March.
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MASONIC
HALL
32 NORTH MARSH ROAD
GAINSBOROUGH
LINCOLNSHIRE
DN21 2RR
All Saints Chapter
No:422
Third Monday, October, February (I), March, and May.
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MASONIC HALL
FARADAY CHAMBERS ST.
GRANTHAM
LINCOLNSHIRE
NG31 8BL
Doric Chapter
No:362
Third Thursday October, second Thursday December, third
Thursday February, and April (I).
Granta Chapter No:4950
Third Thursday November, fourth Thursday January, third
Thursday March, and first Thursday May (I). |
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Astral Chapter
No:3841
Second Thursday September December, February, and April
(I).
Wellow Abbey
Chapter No:8819
Fourth Monday January (I), fourth Thursday in April, May,
and June.

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MASONIC
HALL
CAMBRIDGE ROAD
GREAT GRIMSBY
N. E. LINCOLNSHIRE
DN34 5SZ
Oliver Chapter
No:792
Fourth Thursday October, November (I), January, and March.
St. Albans Chapter
No:1294
Third Wednesday September, first Wednesday November and
February (I), and third Wednesday in May.
Kitwood Chapter
No:2284
First Wednesday October, January, March, and May (I).
Earl of Yarborough
Chapter No:2770
Second Thursday October, November, Janaury, and March (I).
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MASONIC HALL
BANKS STREET
HORNCASTLE
LINCOLNSHIRE
LN9 5BW
Banovallum Chapter
No:1304
Third tuesday October (I), November, January, and March.
The Round Table
Chapter of Lincolnshire No:8240
Second Tuesday October, first Tuesday March, and May (I).
Geoffrey Cooper
Chapter of Installed First Principals No:9467
First Friday March (I), second Friday September. |
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COUNTY ASSEMBLY ROOMS
BAILGATE
LINCOLN
LINCOLNSHIRE
LN1 3AR
Chapter of Concord
No:297
First Tuesday October, December (I), February, and April.
Hugh of Avalon
Chapter No:1386
Fourth Wednesday October (I), November, January, March,
and May.
Ermine Chapter
No:2351
Third Tuesday October (I), November, January, February,
and April.
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MASONIC HALL
PARK LANE
LONG SUTTON
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE12 9DH
Edward Albert
Chapter No:985
Second Monday September, December (I), March, and May.
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MASONIC HALL
QUEEN STREET
LOUTH
LINCOLNSHIRE
LN11 9AU
St. James Chapter
No:712
Third Friday in October (I), November , February, and March.

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MASONIC HALL
NORMANBY ROAD
SCUNTHORPE
NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE
DN15 6AJ
St. Lawrence Chapter No:2078
Second Thursday October, December, February, and April (I).
Chapter of St. John
No:7840
Second Thursday in September, November, March, and Mat (I).

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MASONIC HALL
31 RUTLAND ROAD
SKEGNESS
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE25 2AY
Lumley Chapter No:1893
Last Thursday October, November, January, February, and
March (I)..
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MASONIC
ROOMS
WATERGATE
SLEAFORD
LINCOLNSHIRE
NG34 7PG
Hope Chapter
No:588
First Thursday October, November (I), February, March, and
April.
Shire Chapter No:5610
First Thursday September, first Tuesday December, third
Thursday February, and fourth Thursday in April (I).
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MASONIC HALL
21 PINCHBECK ROAD
SPALDING
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE11 1QD
Welland Chapter
No:469
Fourth Thursday in September, November, January, and March
(I).
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MASONIC HALL
HALTON ROAD
SPILSBY
LINCOLNSHIRE
PE23 5JZ
Shakespeare Chapter
No:426
Fourth Tuesday October, November, February (I), March, and
April.

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