Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
Friday 3rd February was the first convocation of 2017 for the Chapter of St. Giles No. 8736, in which Bro John Russell was exalted into the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch, completing his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. The Chapter was honoured to receive a visiting group of Companions from Montagu Chapter No. 466 of Stamford, which is an annual exchange visit between the two Chapters.
The Chapter’s Principals, E Comp Malcolm Atkins, E Comp David Docherty and E Comp John Webster, led their team for an excellent ceremony with some fine ritual. A special note must be made to E Comp David Jackson and E Comp Harry Twelvetree who stood in at short notice for the Principal Sojourner’s role so excellently. The signs were perfectly presented by E Comp David Jackson, followed by the Symbolical Lecture, presented in an exemplary style by Comp Coward and E Comp David Docherty. The Mystical Lecture was very well presented by E Comp Harry Twelvetree, E Comp Mick Wren and E Comp John Webster.
Comp Eben Viljoen gave his first Royal Arch Chapter ritual with some style and confidence, as he congratulated Comp John Russell on being exalted into Royal Arch Masonry.
The evening was rounded off by the busiest Companion of the night, E Comp David Jackson as he presented Comp Eben Viljoen with his Grand Chapter Certificate. This was followed by a fantastic Burns Supper festive Board. All in all a Right Royal Arch evening.
We welcome Comp Michael Matthews into the Royal Arch in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire.
The team (left to right):- E Comp David Docherty, Haggai, E Comp Malcolm Atkins, MEZ,
Comp John Russell & E Comp John Webster, Joshua,
- Written by: John Fergusson
Promotions and Appointments – June 2017: 
The complete list of Companions who I intend to appoint and promote at Provincial Grand Chapter in June has now been widely circulated to Grand Officers and to the Scribe E of each Chapter.
The sharper eyed amongst you will have no doubt noticed that I intend to appoint and invest E Comp Jim Boughton as our new 2nd Provincial Grand Principal as E Comp George Clayton stands down after having given exemplary service to the Royal Arch Province and the Executive over the last three years in particular. Naturally I will talk in greater detail at our Annual Convocation but I will take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to E Comp George who has needed to endure certain minor health issues and now wishes to free up time so that any lingering problem can be addressed properly.
E Comp George was appointed as our 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in 2014 and promoted to Provincial Grand Haggai in the following year. It was a delight to see him receive his first appointment to Supreme Grand Chapter rank as Past Grand Standard Bearer in April of last year to recognise his commitment to the Royal Arch over many years and for his major contribution to Province since 2014.
In particular, he has taken responsibility for improving the Royal Arch’s communication strategy and the increased profile we have achieved on Social Media generally. In this respect, we also acknowledge the considerable input we have received from E Comp John Fergusson and between them, they can be rightly proud of the way in which they have driven the radical overhaul of the Royal Arch Web Site. Furthermore, E Comp George has been responsible for creating a regular flow of interesting news articles from all over the Province through his chosen network of correspondents and to whom we also owe a considerable debt of gratitude.
The support we have received from E Comp George to myself and other members of the Executive has been exemplary; he is a fine Royal Arch Mason and I am delighted (and somewhat relieved) that we will still have the benefit of George’s input after he has retired in all matters of Social Media to include our Web Site, Twitter, Facebook and to which I collectively and affectionately refer to as my old favourite, the Intertwit!
E Comp Jim Boughton needs no introduction of course – well known to us all as a Grand Officer both in the Craft and the Royal Arch and having recently completed his tenure as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, an office which he held and served with great distinction. He was exalted into Pemberton Chapter in Rushden in September 1987 and became First Principal of Pemberton Chapter in May 1996 before which he became a joining Member of Whytewell Chapter in October 1990 and progressed to the First Principal’s Chair in 1995.
In 2003, he was appointed active Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah and received his appointment as Past Grand Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter in 2009. Undoubtedly, he will bring a wealth of experience to the Royal Arch Executive and the Province in general and we will all share in his passion and in his energy for the Supreme Degree.
To all those Companions across the Province who will be promoted and appointed at our Annual Convocation in June, I congratulate you all on behalf of the Executive. Your preferment is deserved and well earned; enjoy your special day when it eventually arrives – I know I shall!
Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent
- Written by: Simon Key
On Sunday the 15th of January 2017, The Corby Masonic Players, who are Freemasons or family and friends thereof, put on another show of their latest production, Jack & the Beanstalk, for the local community.
This was a special extra performance of the pantomime to kick off the Tercentenary events that the Corby Freemasons have planned. This free performance proved very popular with a hunded and sixty adults and children filling the Masonic Hall.
The audience members had no connection with the Masonic community - their attendance was as a result of local advertising. Every child received a festive selection box and free drinks/snacks were distributed to everyone that attended during the interval.
The Corby Masonic Players had previously held two other packed shows for Corby Freemasons, their families and friends. During each of these performances a raffle was held, which raised a total of £332 for Teddies for Loving Care.
WBro Jack C. Summerfield, the director and Panto Dame, said, “We have been putting-on an annual pantomime since 2006, but this is the first year that we opened our doors to the non-Masonic community”. He added, “The feedback has been fantastic. Everyone left with a smile on their face and hopefully a positive memory of Freemasonry.”
Back row from left to right: WBro David Jackson (King of Corbyshire), Courtney Smith (Dogsbody), Georgia Summerfield (Daisy the Cow – Back end) Melanie Tew (Buttercup the Fairy), Pamela Genner (Princess Mint), Dulcieanne Willey (Daisy the Cow – Front end) and WBro David Genner (Jack Trott)
Front row from left to right: WBro Jack C. Summerfield (Dame Trott), Virginia Tarbotton (Shorty), Emily Summerfield (Simon Trott), Ruby Tarbotton (Jobsworth) WBro George Peel (The Giant) and WBro Rab Reid (Fleshcreep)
- Written by: Simon Key
During his year as the Worshipful Master of Coritani Lodge - one of the five Masonic Lodges which meet in Daventry - WBro Max Reynolds held a number of social and sporting events to raise funds in support of several national and local charities which are close to his family's heart. One such charity is Breast Cancer Care.
Max's wife, Muriel, considers herself fortunate to be a survivor of breast cancer having undergone a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery almost eight years ago. Max and Muriel were therefore very pleased to be able to present a cheque for £1,500 to the local area representative of Breast Cancer Care, Nikki Swindell.
WBro Max Reynolds and his wife, Muriel, presenting the cheque to Nikki Swindell