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The Northampton Chapter No. 360 has been in existence for 153 years, so it is a compliment to its Companions that they should still be leading the way. In a fabulous Ceremony, on Thursday, 24 November 2006, they revealed a Banner for their Chapter, which is understood to be the first in the Province.

The Ceremony started with E Comp David Smith giving a talk on how the idea was conceived and how the Banner was finally produced. There followed a magnificient Dedication Ceremony led by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E Comp Peter Kitson, supported by all the Provincial Principals, many Supreme Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter Officers.

The Third Grand Principal, E Comp Michael Coleman, gave a magnificent oration regarding the importance of Banners throughout History and related some of these to his own experiences, even back to his time as a Scout Banner holder. At this point he referred to his time in shorts and a necker as a young lad of just ten (perish the thought).

The evening concluded with an inspiring address from the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent and the Banner was paraded out in true pageantry style.

Donation to MacMillan Nurses

At his Craft Lodge Ladies' Festival on Saturday, 18 November 2006, and on behalf of St John's Chapter No 3972, Comp Gerry Crawford presented to the Northamptonshire branch of MacMillan Nurses a cheque for £200. (On the same occasion he presented two other cheques; one from Grey Friars Lodge for £1,000 and one from the Craft Provincial Grand Charity for £1,000.)

Donation

The cheques were gratefully received on behalf of MacMillan Nurses by their County Chairman, Lady Morton, who sincerely thanked all who had contributed and assured us that the money would be spent in the County.

250th Anniversary Celebration of the Birth of Bro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2006 is the 250th anniversary of the birth in Salzburg, Austria of Bro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His birth and his music are being celebrated worldwide.

The Supreme Grand Chapter of England for its Convocation on Wednesday 8 November invited VW Bro Andrew Pearmain, PGSwdB, to talk about Mozart, his life, his Freemasonry and his music. This was a unique opportunity to hear works by the greatest Masonic composer in the magnificent setting of the Grand Temple.

		As part of the celebration the Library and Museum of Freemasonry mounted a special exhibition "European Freemasonry in the Time of Mozart" in the second vestibule to the Grand Temple.
All Companions who were subscribing members of an English Chapter were invited to attend.

E Comp Trevor Gibbs - 50 years membership of the Holy Royal Arch

At the Convocation of Socrates Chapter No 373 in Huntingdon, on Tuesday, 26 September, E Comp Trevor Gibbs PAGDC PPrGSoj received a Certificate marking his 50 years as a member of the Holy Royal Arch. This was presented by the Second Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Terry Roy PAGDC.

New Provincial Almoner

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent has also been been pleased to appoint E Comp Robin Hitchcock as the new Provincial Almoner. He will work closely with the Provincial Grand Almoner to ensure their work is fully co-ordinated.

His role is to

be point of contact for information relating to Companions who are seriously ill or who have dies
to make contact with those Companions who are seriously ill, particularly the elderly
to make contact with the family of Companions who have died and to send the condolences of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of the Province

Briefing Sessions for Scribes Es

During August, the Provincial Grand Scribe E, E Comp Trevor Cooke, held two briefing meetings for Chapter Scribes E – one at Corby Masonic Centre and the other at Freemasons’ Hall, Northampton. All the Chapter Scribes attended and many of their assistants - forty-four in all. The purpose of the meeting was to outline the many changes that are taking place in the administration of the Province.

Scribes E at meeting

Opening the meeting the Provincial Scribe E outlined the Provincial Office work schedule and time frame, drawing particular attention to the need for Chapter Scribes to submit Returns on time and the impact of failing to do so.

He then moved on to explain the work currently being carried out on the Adelphi (Grand Lodge/Grand Chapter) database, the reasons for moving from the local database to a national database and the impact of this on the Provincial Office workload.

Other topics included an explanation of recent revisions to

Provincial Returns
Royal Arch Regulations
Chapter By-laws

Before closing the meeting the Provincial Grand Scribe E introduced the newly appointed Provincial Grand Charity Steward, E Comp David Bell, and the Provincial Grand Almoner, E Comp Robin Hitchcock and each gave an overview of their role.

The Provincial Scribe E said

“This is the first briefing meeting of Chapter Scribes for many years. Usually we send out a written briefing pack together with relevant forms in August. However, this year, due to the complexity of the briefing material, and the fact that many Chapter Scribes are new in post, I decided to call the meetings.“

Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Invests New Executive Team

On Thursday 22nd June. at the busiest Annual Convocation for some years, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson invested a new Provincial Executive

E Comp David Jackson as Deputy Grand Superintendent
E Comp Terry Roy as Second Grand Principal
E Comp Mike Coleman as Third Grand Provincial

In his address to the Convocation. the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent noted that the Province was in very good heart and, bucking the national trend, had again managed a modest increase in membership. He was pleased to note that all Chapters had embraced the revised Ritual and that the quality of their work was impressive. He was also very encouraged by the numbers of candidates coming forward for Exaltation and by the attendance levels in Chapters.
He congratulated E Comp Derek Young (Deputy Provincial Grand Master) and E Comp Dr Bob Beeton on their First Appointments to past rank in Supreme Grand Chapter.

E Comp Peter Kitson presented a set of engraved crystal whisky glasses to the retiring Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Ken Bacon and paid tribute to him for his dedicated service to Provincial Grand Chapter over the last eleven years - first as Provincial Grand Scribe E from June 1995 and then as his very able Deputy from June 2000. He wished Ken many years of health and happiness to enjoy the many invitations he will no doubt get to visit Chapters as Past Deputy Grand Superintendent.

Executive Past Grand Superintendent

The Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson with the Past Grand Superintendent E Comp Richard Sandbach and the newly installed members of the Executive

During the Annual Convocation, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Peter Kitson presented his Certificate of Merit to E Comp Alister Hurford of St Peter's Chapter No 442.

2006 Grand Officer Appointments & Promotions Announced

The Most Excellent First Grand Principal has recently announced the appointment and promotion of a number of Companions in this Province. They are

The Most Hon the Marquess of Northampton DL re-appointed Pro First Grand Principal

E Comp Barrie Hall promoted to Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer
E Comp Reg Hirst promoted to Past Grand Standard Bearer
E Comp. Derek Young appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer
E Comp Dr Bob Beeton appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

Royal Arch Masons Support the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance

The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, the UK's leading helicopter Emergency Medical Service, based at Coventry Airport, is delighted to announce that on 30th June the Royal Arch Masons of Warwickshire presented a donation of £25,000 to the Charity.

Representatives from the Charity, Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance Service, the Chairman of the Warwickshire County Council, the Chairman of the Warwick District Council and guests from the Freemasons will be in attendance. Our special guest was Richard Wallis, the Grand Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Warwickshire.

Richard Wallis, the Grand Superintendent (the head) of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Warwickshire (one of the orders of Freemasonry) said :

"I am delighted to be able to hand over this donation of £25,000 from the Royal Arch Freemasons of Warwickshire to support this worthwhile and live saving cause and to enable it to continue to serve the communities of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire in such a vital, caring and dedicated manner. We are extremely grateful for all that they do and are conscious of the many lives that they save when even minutes are critical for each patient. This donation has been achieved in just two short years thanks to the generosity of the 1650 Royal Arch Masons in my Province and I am pleased to acknowledge their unstinting support for this and many other non-Masonic causes.

Freemasons do not ask the public for contributions. All the money they collect for charity comes from their own pockets."

Mrs Jo Payne, the Fundraising Manager from the Charity said "We are entirely reliant upon donations. We are extremely grateful to the Freemasons for their generosity especially acknowledging that this sum represents many individual contributions."

Talks and Lectures about the Holy Royal Arch

Any Chapter in the Province which is intending to have a talk or lecture at a forthcoming meeting is asked to inform the Provincial Grand Scribe E by e-mail the details which can then be advertised on this page. This will help those members of the Royal Arch to have an opportunity to attend.

Any Companions who have prepared lectures are invited to send a copy to the Provincial Office.

50 Years as a Royal Arch Mason for E Comp Alan Stewart, PPrGScN

The Convocation St John's Chapter on Wednesday, 15 February 2006 was a very special occasion for at least three reasons. Bro Richard Stokes of Towcestrian Lodge No 9510 was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch and the Chapter was pleased to receive an official visit from our Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Ken Bacon. By a happy coincidence, on that very day and date 50 years ago - Wednesday, 15 February 1956 - the most senior Companion of St John's Chapter, E Comp Alan Stewart, was exalted into the Chapter. Although not in the best of health and now living in the Isle of Man, E Comp Alan was able to be present.

To mark the occasion, E Comp Bacon was pleased to present to him a 50 years Certificate and lapel badge. In thanking both the Deputy Grand Superintendent and the Chapter, E Comp Alan said the occasion was very special for him. He said he particularly thought of a Companion whose name is on the Warrant of the Chapter and was one of its founders - E Comp Alan's father.

When he made the presentation, the Deputy Grand Superintendent gave a resume of E Comp Alan's masonic career. Born in Northampton in 1929, E Comp Stewart became a successful accountant in Northampton. He is a member of many Lodges and Orders.

He was initiated into St John’s Lodge No 3972 in 1954 becoming its Worshipful Master in 1966.

He is the most senior member of St.John’s Chapter No 3972 being exalted in 1956 and becoming its MEZ in 1971.