Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Friday 12 February, Piscator Chapter hosted a double-header which featured both an exaltation and installation. The Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman was the official visitor and the Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant was also in attendance.
Bro Trevor Pywell completed his journey in Pure Antient Freemasonry and became Comp Trevor Pywell in an excellent ceremony which was led by the Chapter’s Principals and they were well supported by E Comp Roger Blason who delivered the Sojourner’s ritual in a very accomplished manner. The Installation ceremony saw E Comp Bob Green and E Comp Aaron Day remain as MEZ and Haggai respectively for the forthcoming season and E Comp Roger Blason become the Chapter’s 3rd Principal.
Below Comp Trevor Pywell (front row, far left) is pictured with the Principals of the Chapter and the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman (back row, far left)
The evening was finished off with a superb Festive Board to complete the evening and welcome Comp Pywell into the Royal Arch Masonry.
- Written by: Michael Genner
At the Annual General Meeting of Palmer Court, WBro John Rivett stood down after the eight years at the helm. The Provincial Grand Master had appointed WBro Ian Richards of Heigham Lodge as the new Chairman and the official handover took place at the meeting.
WBro Richards has been on the House Committee for three years, most recently as Vice Chairman, and was the natural successor for the position. At the meeting, a number of new brethren joined the committee and so it is the start of a new era at Palmer Court.
Over the years the scheme has received many donations from Lodges in the Province, which have been thankfully received and faithfully applied. These have always been used for the benefit of the residents and the new chairman and committee will continue to utilise them in this way.
WBro John Rivett and WBro Ian Richards outside Palmer Court
- Written by: Rob Taylor
In 1933 a special committee of Socrates Lodge was authorised to purchase The Priory , 83 High Street, Huntingdon for £1,150.00 (£72,950 in todays terms) and so it was that The Priory became home to Socrates Lodge 373.
As Freemasonry expanded in Huntingdon it subsequently became home to Samuel Pepys 8330, Hitchingbrook 9282, Meridian 9542 Craft Lodges, Socrates Chapter 373, Socrates Lodge of Mark Master Masons 794, Socrates Royal Ark Mariners 794, United Priors Preceptory No 240 Knights Templar, David Earl of Huntingdon Rose Croix Chapter No 201, Huntingdon Council of Royal & Select Masters No 130 and The Order pf the Secret Monitor Cromwell Conclave 371.
These Craft Lodges and other Orders are now all set to move to their new Home at Priory House Sovereign Court, Lancaster Way, Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon which was purchased on 8th October 2015. When the building was first purchased it consisted of simply an office unit with a ground and first floor. Priory House now boasts a purpose built commercial kitchen, a dining room that seats 75, and a bar/lounge area all located on the ground floor. This has all been specifically designed to be able to accommodate various types of functions, so that the building can be hired out for commercial and private events.
The first floor consists of a brand new purpose built Lodge Room holding 75, a practice room and two ante/committee rooms. The building also has 22 parking bays. This remarkable transformation from offices to Huntingdon Masonic Hall's new home took just 11 weeks to complete at a total cost of £649,000 including VAT and taxes. The Board, chaired by W Bro John Benson, is to be congratulated for this remarkable achievement which could not have been done without the work of a considerable number of members from the various units involved but in particular W Bro Malcolm Firmedow who was responsible for the design and who project managed the whole thing from start to finish.
The buildings first Masonic event, which was held on Tuesday 12th January 2016, was an Installation meeting of Socrates Lodge of Mark Master Masons 794 when W Bro Ian Thomson Installed W Bro Des Hinshelwood as his successor. The meeting which was attended by Mark Provisional Grand Master of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire R WBro George Bonham, his Deputy VW Bro Brian Ennever and a total of 53 members and visitors was deemed a most successful event and drew compliments all round as an excellent event in the new venue. On Tuesday 19th January the first Craft meeting took place which was the 182nd Installation meeting of Socrates Lodge No 373 when a record attendance were present including W Bro Trevor Boswell the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The dedication of the new building by RW Bro Max Bayes, the Provincial Grand Master, will take place on Saturday 23rd April.
Left to right above: W Bro Bob Stokes PrDC, VW Bro Richard Turpin PGJO PDPrGM, VW Bro Brian Ennever PGJO DPrGM, W Bro Mike Jolly SW, RW Bro George Bonham PrGM GMRAC, W Bro Des Hinshelwood WM, W Bro Ian Thomson Installing Master Bro Mark Howell JW and W Bro Doug Peacock PAGDC DC
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Friday 5 February, Bro John McMann became Comp John McMann as he was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch at the Chapter of St. Giles and completed his journey in Pure Antient Masonry. 
Comp McMann is pictured above: E Comp Malcolm Atkins, E Comp Jack Summerfield, Comp John McMann and E Comp David Docherty.
The Chapter’s Principals led their team for an excellent ceremony with some fine ritual, a special note must be made to the 1st Assistant Sojourner, Comp Garth Coward who stood in at short notice for the whole Sojourner role. The ceremony was warmly appreciated by all those present, including Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp Mike Coleman and Past Deputy Grand Superintendent E Comp David Jackson.
This was the second Exaltation ceremony in which the Chapter of St. Giles has presented the short information excerpts simultaneously to both exaltee and the Chapter during the ceremony, which were received by all with great interest. Finally, Comp John McMann was the first exaltee in the Corby Centre to receive the new ‘Welcome to Royal Arch Masonry’ brochure which was presented by E.Comp Mike Coleman. The evening was finished off with a superb “Haggis led” Festive Board which was kicked off by some excellent bagpiping by Comp Scott Morton, followed by a wonderful address to the haggis by E Comp Billy Glover. E Comp Jack C Summerfield provided an English translation for those not of Scottish persuasion, all in all a very enjoyable Royal Arch evening…. Is there any other kind.