Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 01 February 2015

Our Chapter Executive will be changing at Provincial Grand Chapter in June. E Comp David Jackson who has contributed and supported the Holy Royal Arch in this Province over many years will be stepping down with E Comp Mike Coleman being promoted from 2nd Provincial Grand Principal to Deputy Grand Superintendent.

E Comp George Clayton is promoted from 3rd Provincial Grand Principal to 2nd Provincial Grand Principal. Our new 3rd Provincial Grand Principal will be E Comp Mark Constant.

Following the announcement that E Comp Trevor Boswell will become Deputy Provincial Grand Master, his place as the Holy Royal Arch’s Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies will be taken by E Comp John Payne. Our sincere congratulations to them all and we know that they can count on your support.

Our Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, commented: 

The Annual Convocation in June will be a sad occasion in many ways - why break up a winning team you may ask and it will be an awful loss to me personally to see David Jackson stand down. He has been with me from the very outset and has been an absolute rock throughout. He has been my Deputy for almost 8 years but we are charged with the responsibility of ensuring a future succession line and this has to be seen as one of the early steps in that direction. Rest assured, David will still be involved in the Royal Arch in some form of executive role – his experience is too great to lose. I congratulate those who will be moving up the line and welcome to the team, E Comp Mark Constant as 3rd Provincial Grand Principal - he will prove a great addition.

Written by: Russell Laxton

Published: 31 January 2015

At a boat naming ceremony held at the Peterborough City Rowing Club on a snowy Saturday morning on the 31 January 2015 WBro Bob Beeton, armed with the traditional bottle of champagne, named a single scull boat "On The Level.”  The boat is for the benefit of the juniors at the Peterborough City Rowing Club.

Members of Fitzwilliam Lodge No 2533, who had raised the money for the boat during WBro Mike Marshall's year in the chair of King Solomon, gathered to enjoy the occasion.

The Chairman of the Peterborough City Rowing Club, John Canton, thanked the Brethren for their very generous donation.  

Each boat costs in the region of £2,000.  The total raised during the year amounted to £2,417.12.  The balance will be used to supply oars for the boat.  The Peterborough City Rowing Club is a registered charity and apart from subscriptions relies heavily on donations to fund it's operations. 

The boat made its maiden voyage on the rowing course with the son of WBro Marshall at the helm.

Written by: Gerry Crawford

Published: 30 January 2015

It was a case of keeping it in the family at the Lodge of Perseverance No 455 installation meeting in Kettering on 19 January 2015 when the Provincial Grand Treasurer, WBro David Watson, was delighted to install his son, Bro Andrew Watson, as Worshipful Master.  In turn David was appointed Senior Warden by his son, the new Worshipful Master.

The Lodge was honoured with the presence of VWBro Dr Viv Thomas DPGM and an excellent evening was enjoyed by all who attended.

Published: 08 January 2015

Thursday the 8 January 2015 was a special night in Delapre Lodge. Every initiation is special but there was a bit of extra fun welcoming to the Lodge during it’s 800th meeting Bro David Mason, whose father and grandfather practised the Craft in Lancashire. 

Later a personal milestone for the Lodge’s longest serving active member was recognised with the presentation of a 50 year Jubilee certificate to WBro John Witts by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Lodge member, WBro Charles Bennett.

John is a well known figure in Northampton Masonry - holder of the PGM’s Certificate of Merit and organist, or Honourary Organist for Delapre, Pomfret, Kingsley, Lodge of St George, Anglo Scottish, Harmony and Towcestrian Lodges – plus three Chapters!

John was initiated into Delapre on 15 January 1965, became Master in 1972 and has been Lodge organist since leaving the Chair - over 40 years.

He was Provincial Grand Organist from 1978 to 1987 and has risen through the ranks of Provincial Grand Lodge, culminating in the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden and being honoured with the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit in 2010.

(l to r)  WBro Trevor Sidall PProvJGD (Warks) WM of Delapre Lodge, WBro Charles Bennett PrGDC and WBro John Witts CoM PPrSGW