With a ‘Conference’ of 7 members of the 33°, and a ‘scribble’ of District Recorders from no fewer than 6 Districts, Worcestershire Chapter RC No 970 held their 76th Regular meeting on Monday 30th March 2026 at the Halesowen Freemasons Hall, for the Enthronement of V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Stephen Fowler 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the District of Warwickshire.
With a bumper attendance of 51 members, the MWS requested the Chapter Recorder to read the Fire Emergency Notice.
Ill.˙.Bro William (Bill) Roberts 30°, the MWS, Opened the Chapter and confirmed the Minutes of the previous meeting. With Chapter now open, the DC announced an entourage of:
(i) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Ian M Fothergill 33°, Inspector General for the District of Worcestershire. (ii) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Stephen Fowler 33°, Inspector General for the District of Warwickshire. (iii) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro David Jarvis 33°, Inspector General for the District of Berkshire. (iv) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Nigel Bridges 33°, Inspector General for the District of Glos & Herfds. (v) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Paul Kelvin-Smith 33°, Inspector General for the District of S Wales & Mons. (vi) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Ralph Howarth 33°, Inspector General for the District of Staffs & Salop. (vii) V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Dr Richard Hoare 33°, Former IG of Worcestershire. The ‘Conference’ of Inspectors General were greeted with a resounding acclamation from the brethren.
With the exception of the IG for Worcestershire, they all took their seats whilst the MWS tried his very hardest to persuade the IG to take his Chair and retain the Baton. With an Enthronement ceremony to complete, this was never going to happen, and the IG politely declined and handed the Baton back ‘with great pleasure’.
After confirming and approving the Minutes of the previous meeting, the Minutes were duly signed by the MWS and IG.
With the Treasurers report confirming the Chapter was in very good health, The next highlight of the evening was the very pleasant task for the MWS to Enthrone V.˙.Ill.˙.Bro Stephen Fowler 33°, as the 39th Most Wise Sovereign of the Premier Chapter of the District. Under no pressure whatsoever, the MWS did a super job of Enthroning his successor, and after the new MWS appointing and Investing his Officers, the IG delivered the Address to the Princes – once again, with impeccable spirit.
* With the conclusion of the presentation of the Warrant of the Chapter to the MWS, the Prelate placed into his hands the Holy Bible. The Prelate was then delight to present the MWS with a brand-new Holy Bible very kindly and generously provided by Ill.˙.Bro Maurice Hume 32°.
The next item of the busy Agenda was for the new MWS to give a presentation entitled ‘Attraction & Retention – The Membership Challenge’. This proved to be a very informative and well-constructed reflection of some of the issues and concerns that we face today. In some cases, giving rise to more questions than answers. The paper was very well received and was also received with great acclamation from everyone present.
A Ballot then took place for a joining member which proved successful, and Ill.˙.Bro David Craig 30°, was welcomed into the Chapter.
After collecting Alms and dealing with correspondence, the MWS conducted the Third Point and Closed the Chapter. Everyone retired to the Refectory to enjoy a much welcomed 3 course dinner in the pleasure of wonderful company.
This is what Rose Croix is all about.
Next meeting – Saturday 3rd October 2026.
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