Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
All organisations such as ours in the Holy Royal Arch need to have a well-structured Mentoring or Recruitment policy.
Herewith is a brief outline of the model used in Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire. The policy in use currently in our Province has been evolved over six or seven years now and thanks to the hard work of those involved over that time has proved to be successful in gently pointing newly raised Master Masons towards the completion of their journey through Pure Antient Freemasonry.
In Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire, we have identified six main Masonic Centres as the hubs of our operation, where a small group of appointed Grand Officers and/or Senior Provincial Officers are informed by the Royal Arch Provincial Office of forthcoming Raisings that are due to take place in Craft Lodges within their locality. The policy requires that one of the team in that Centre will, if possible, attend the Raising ceremony and introduce himself to the newly raised Master Mason, pass over to him the pamphlet entitled “The Next Regular Step for the Master Mason” (which is currently being revised) and invite him to progress to the last important phase in his Masonic journey when he feels that the time is right for him to do so. If our Grand Officer or Senior Provincial Officer is not able to attend “on the night”, then contact can be made by telephone. The pamphlet is a low key introduction to the Holy Royal Arch and gives information and detail to stimulate the interest of the newly raised Master Mason. The Companion making the presentation of the pamphlet somewhat informally after the ceremony will then arrange to contact the Master Mason from time to time to gently nurse him along and to constantly remind him that, as yet, his journey from “Initiation to Exaltation” is incomplete.
The newly raised Master Mason also receives in due course a cordial and personal joint letter of invitation to join the Holy Royal Arch from the Provincial Grand Master and Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, sometimes presented in Lodge or sent direct by post to his home.
Frequently, there is mention of the importance of progressing to the Holy Royal Arch when the Master Mason receives his Grand Lodge Certificate from a member of the Craft Executive or Grand Lodge Officer, all of whom are invariably enthusiastic Royal Arch Companions.
All this is to provide information and is to support and enhance the traditional stream of recruits which has “survived the wreck of mighty empires” where Royal Arch Companions reach out to their Brethren and friends within their Lodges and tell them what they are missing by not taking that final and “last step” into the happy and colourful ending which is the Holy Royal Arch.
Once recruited, the most important part is to make sure that the new Companion is settled, happy and has a clear understanding of the ceremony and its meaning. The Proposer in particular and possibly, the Seconder have an important role here to make sure that the new member attends regularly and is invited to take a small part in the ceremonial but only as and when he wishes.
A mention should be made here of the importance of the Almoner of the Chapter. His role is to monitor attendances “Like a Watchman on a Tower” and be alert to absentees and to find out the reasons for this, which may not always be due to illness. He can then make enquiries himself or prompt the Proposer and possibly the Seconder to do so.
If there is a perceived need in a particular part of the Province, the Executive organise combined Information Evenings in that area where Master Masons and newly Exalted Royal Arch Companions can meet together and explore and discover more about the Holy Royal Arch over a light finger buffet.
As with all good management strategies, the policy is reviewed regularly by the Executive and revised or “tweaked” as necessary as we strive to bring the enjoyment of our Order to as many as we can. Thus far?............it seems to be working!
E Comp Mike Coleman
Deputy Grand Superintendent
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
Masonic buildings continue to be a concern to the fraternity as a whole and Grand Lodge is rightly concerned about future maintenance costs. Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire has applied themselves to this problem over the past couple of years and much has already been achieved in a number of our centres; this will continue with what will shortly be happening in a planned move in Huntingdon from a High Street location to a Business Park on the edge of town.
The single most significant event was the move from the Provincial Headquarters at St George's Avenue in Northampton to a customised former school building on an industrial edge of Town site. Our efforts have been noticed by the Rulers and we are now asked for advice by other Provinces.
It was a great delight for RW Bro Max Bayes, the Provincial Grand Master, to recently welcome the Past Pro Grand Master, Most W Bro Lord Northampton and his new wife for a view of our Provincial Centre at Sheaf Close.
The Marquess was most impressed and offered congratulations to all who contributed to make the whole project such a success. The current Assistant Grand Master, Rt W Bro Sir David Wootton, has also expressed interest in making a visit and, the Provincial Grand Master is now making arrangements for this to happen. The Provincial Grand Master commented
It is good to know that our efforts are recognised and that our advice for similar projects throughout the country is now being sought.
- Written by: Michael Genner
The Festival was hosted by the Worshipful Master, WBro Michael Raine at Daventry Court Hotel on Saturday 6 June.
WBro Robin Brown gave the Toast to the Ladies and WBro John Wilkes performed an outstanding rendition of the Ladies Song. The Worshipful Master’s Lady Mrs Maureen Raine gave a most sincere response on behalf of the Ladies, followed by the Worshipful Master who said that it was an important occasion that allowed wives and partners to be honoured for their understanding and support in the brethren’s lodge duties.
The Worshipful Master thanked WBro Graham Ballinger the Festival Secretary and WBro Malcolm Payne the Master of Ceremonies for organising the event, and the 138 present for their generosity. He said that it was beyond all his expectations to have raised a total of £936 in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind and other charities.
Following the formal proceeding the evening culminated with live popular music, performed by Brothers United, comprising of WBro Graham Ballinger and WBro John Wilkes (Buckby Castle Lodge), Bro Ray Robins, (a Worcestershire Mason), Mr Terry Ballinger (Graham’s elder brother), and Mr David Hylton of Long Buckby.
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
A record number attended the 2015 Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter on Thursday 25 June. This included representatives from no less than 21 Provinces.
The principal guest was the Second Grand Principal, ME Comp George Pipon Francis. He was making his last visit to a Provincial Convocation in that capacity as he is to stand down in November after ten years in office.
During the ceremony E Comp David Jackson stood down as Deputy Grand Superintendent and was replaced by E Comp Mike Coleman - being promoted from 2nd Provincial Grand Principal.
E Comp George Clayton was promoted from 3rd Provincial Grand Principal to 2nd Provincial Grand Principal.
E Comp Mark Constant was appointed as 3rd Provincial Grand Principal.
Following the appointment of E Comp Trevor Boswell as Deputy Provincial Grand Master, his place as the Holy Royal Arch’s Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies was taken by E Comp John Payne.
The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, presented his Certificate of Meritorious Service to E Comp Brian Thompson who he warmly congratulated on a well deserved award.
At the following Festive Board, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent made a special presentation to the Second Grand Principal to mark his fourth visit to the Province during the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent’s tenure of office.
The presentation was in the form of a refill for the previously presented cut glass decanter and a Saints rugby shirt bearing the number two and the name Francis. The Second Grand Principal gratefully received these gifts and was quick to don his new rugby jersey, to the delight of all present - with the possible exception of the Province of Leicestershire representatives.