Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
On 2 October 2017, Bro Jake Ogden became Comp Jake Ogden on being exalted into the Royal Arch and completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. Amongst those present to witness an excellent ceremony was the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, accompanied by his Provincial Grand Chapter Executive and Provincial Grand Chapter Officers as part of a Provincial team visit.
The Companions enjoyed a fine ceremony which was led by the MEZ, E Comp John Fergusson and who was very well supported by the Chapter's Second & Third Principals as well as Comp Roy Sparks who delivered the Principal Sojourner's work in a first class manner. The ceremony was completed with the First Principal's or Mystical lecture and this included fine contributions from E Comp Merrick Bowles and E Comp Paul Sparks
The ceremony was followed by a fine festive board to welcome Comp Jake into the Royal Arch and Eleanor Cross Chapter and we wish him a long and happy future as a member of this fine Chapter.
- Written by: John Fergusson
All of the Companions that attended the Installation Convocation of Thistle and Rose Chapter No. 6644 at Corby Masonic Complex on 10th October 2017 witnessed an excellent Installation Convocation. The Chapter was honoured to receive E Comp Jim Boughton, Second Provincial Grand Principal who was escorted by E Comp John Payne, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. E Comp Mike Coleman, Deputy Grand Superintendent was also present.
E Comp Chris Goode was installed as First Principal, E Comp Paul Seaton as Second Principal and E Comp Andrew McWilliam as Third Principal. The Robes and Sceptres were presented by Acting Provincial Officers; E Comp P.G. Ayton - ProvGStB, E Comp W.B. Glover – ProvGStB and E Comp G.F.K. Rogers - ProvGSwdB, all of which were delivered to an excellent quality of ritual.
After the Principals had invested their Officers for the ensuing year, E Comp Ken Marris PAGDC invested the Immediate Past Z, E Comp David Docherty with his jewel in a very commendable manner. During the evening Comp Jim Masson was presented with his Supreme Grand Chapter Certificate by the Second Provincial Grand Principal.
The evening was finished off with a superb Festive Board which was enjoyed by all. Our congratulations to the three newly Installed Principals and Officers of the Chapter and we offer them our sincere best wishes for a very happy and enjoyable year ahead.
The newly Installed Principals (left to right), E Comp Paul Seaton, E Comp Chris Goode & E Comp Andrew McWilliam
flanking the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Jim Boughton
- Written by: John Fergusson
Chapter of St. Giles in Corby hosted a fine Installation meeting on Friday 6th October 2017. The Chapter was honoured to have the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, in attendance, accompanied by E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
E Comp. David Docherty was installed as Z, E Comp Malcolm Atkins as H and E Comp Garth Coward as J. E Comp David Jackson PGSwdB, PDepGSupt, invested the Immediate Past Z, E Comp Malcolm Atkins, with his jewel in an exemplary manner. E Comp Malcolm Atkins assisted the Chapter greatly by stepping in as H, following the sudden death of EComp John Webster earlier in the year.
The quality of the ritual throughout the evening was outstanding, the Robes and Sceptres were presented by Acting Provincial Grand Chapter Officers, E Comp Roy Harris – ProvGSN, E Comp Steve Squires - ProvGReg and E Comp Scott McNeil – ProvGOrg all carried out in the most exemplary manner.
Our congratulations to the three newly Installed Principals and Officers of the Chapter and we offer them our sincere best wishes for a very happy and enjoyable year ahead.
A most enjoyable Festive Board brought the evening to its conclusion.
The newly Installed Principals (left to right), E Comp Malcolm Atkins, E Comp David Docherty & E Comp Garth Coward flanked
by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E Comp Wayne Williams & E Comp Steve Seward, Provincial
Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
- Written by: Simon Key
On Saturday the 30th September 2017, Freemasons from every continent attended the Grand Ball at Freemasons Hall to celebrate the founding of the Premier Grand Lodge in London in 1717.
Tickets were at a premium, having taken less than 60 seconds to sell out when they went on sale a year ago. Despite this, a handful of Masons from the Province, together with their partners, managed to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event.
From left, Mrs S. Summerfield, WBro J C. Summerfield, Mrs E. Spence, WBro D. Genner, WBro J. Spence and Mrs P. Genner
- Written by: Simon Key
On Thursday the 5th of October 2017, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, WBro Gerry Crawford, featured as a special guest on BBC Radio Northampton's Helen Blaby Show.
WBro Gerry Crawford with Helen Blaby (click for larger image)
WBro Gerry updated Helen and the show's audience about the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) Community Awards allocated to a number of charities in the Province by public vote.
The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes, will present the awards on the 9th October 2017 at Northampton and the 11th of October 2017 at Peterborough.
- Written by: Simon Key
WBro Richard Powell's Installation as Master of Lodge of Fidelity No. 445 took place on Wednesday the 4th of October 2017 at Towcester Masonic Hall; it proved to be a most memorable occasion.
WBro Paul Logan did a super job as Installing Master, and WBro Powell distinguished himself during the investiture of his officers, the remainder of the meeting, and the festive board.
WBro Martin Dimmock, Provincial Senior Grand Warden, attended the ceremony as the official representative of the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes.
All of the brethren present were most touched to hear that WBro Powell's "new" Master's apron had been given to him by Linda, the widow of WBro Mike Pusey, who was his proposer. WBro Pusey sadly passed away in 2013.
At the conclusion of the installation ceremony, WBro Trevor Sherman, a member of Piscator Lodge No. 7557, presented a historic Past Master's Jewel to WBro Powell, as a gift to the Lodge.
From left, WBro Martin Dimmock ProvSGW; WBro Richard Powell, WM of Fidelity Lodge No. 445; and WBro Trevor Sherman, PPGSuptWks & PM of Pomfret Lodge No. 360 (click for larger picture)
The jewel had originally been presented to WBro I.T. Wright, who was installed as Fidelity Master in 1957, some 60-years previously.
WBro Sherman explained how he first became associated with Lodge of Fidelity as a regular visitor, and how he had subsequently acquired the Jewel. He said,
I was Worshipful Master of Pomfret Lodge No, 360 in 2004. I had two personal ambitions at that time: to visit all the old 3-digit Lodges in the Province, and to start collecting Masonic Jewels and memorabilia
After explaining that he had continued to visit Lodge of Fidelity for a number of years, WBro Sherman went-on to say,
I was in contact at that time with a fellow collector in Staffordshire. He was cutting-down his collection and this was one of a number of items I acquired from him. He in turn had bought the jewel from an Antique Dealer in Toronto.
WBro Sherman suggested that the jewel, which, like all Past Masters' jewels, belonged to the Lodge, might be put to good use and presented to another Past Master, perhaps WBro Powell after his year in the Chair.
It was clear that WBro Sherman would welcome a well-deserved invitation to see that presentation being made!