Author: Taff Hill

On Monday 4^th November 2024 the Inspector General and District Recorder received a warm welcome to the Chapter for their Enthronement meeting. A wonderful twenty seven members and visitors were present, nine visitors making their way from the deepest south of the District – Evesham No 994…..  

Immediately after Opening the Chapter, a moment of silence and reflection was observed for the departure of III\Bro Douglas J L Allen 30°, who had recently passed to the Grand Chapter Above. 

Following the confirmation of the Minutes of the 175^th meeting, a ballot was held for three unattached joining members from St Edmund King and Martyr Chapter No 730, which unfortunately had to surrender their Warrant in May this year. The ballot proved successful for all three, and the Chapter looks forward to their continued support. 

III\Bro Robert Bennett 30°, was then Enthroned the MWS of the Chapter in a very impressive manner by III\Bro Godfrey Harper 31°. After appointing and investing his officers, the IG gave the Address to the Chapter, completing a super Enthronement ceremony.

The Enthronement might have been the high light of the evening for a majority of those present, but the evening for the nine Evesham Chapter members got even better. Halesowen Chapter No 615 were the ‘holders’ of the much-treasured Travelling Apron, but the huge support from the Evesham mafia ensured that possession of the apron is now firmly transferred to their care. Great support from all the visitors in attendance, but well done Evesham. 

During Propositions, the Recorder announced that there was to be another member of St Edmund King & Martyr to join, and that there was a candidate for Perfection in progress. Fantastic news indeed.

Following the Third Point and closing the Chapter, everyone retired to the Refectory. Another fine dinner in super company was enjoyed by all.

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On Thursday 31^st October 2024, 18 members including the Inspector General and District Recorder were warmly welcomed to the Chapter. It might have been Halloween in the big wide world outside, but there were certainly no horrors on show at Stourport Freemasons Hall!!!

The MWS, III\Bro C Hart 30°, opened the Chapter and after confirming the Minutes of the previous meeting, the Chapter Officers demonstrated the Second Point, with an added commentary high lighting the recent changes to the ritual. An excellent initiative and will give them all added confidence for when they are to Perfect their next new member.

The MWS completed the remainder of the business, carried out the Third Point and Closed the Chapter. Everyone then retired to the Refectory to enjoy a hearty dinner completing a super evening. For some, it was the second meeting and dining of the day………………

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On Wednesday 30^th October 2024, nineteen members and visitors including the Inspector General and District Recorder assembled at Worcester Masonic Centre for a rehearsal of the Perfection ceremony. 

The IG was escorted into the lodge room by the DC and the MWS tried his best to tempt the IG to occupy his Chair for the evening. As always, the IG made a most gracious refusal informing the MWS that he had come to observe his work………… 

After singing the opening hymn and opening the Chapter, the members present confirmed and approved the Minutes of the previous meeting, which were duly signed by the MWS & IG respectively. The Recorder then proceeded to read the Minutes of their Regular meeting of 100 years ago.

The Chapter then carried out an impressive rehearsal of the Perfection ceremony. Apart from the acting Marshal for the evening, all those that took part in the ceremony were members of the 18°, which is very encouraging for the Chapter. It was once again, very pleasing indeed to see half of those present wearing Red collars.

Having presented both the First & Second Point himself, the MWS conducted Third Point. The MWS closed the Chapter, and everyone retired to the refectory to enjoy a lovely meal and in such good company.

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The Chapter met on Monday 28^th October 2024 for their Enthronement meeting. The MWS, Ill\Bro David Craig 30°, welcomed the Inspector General into the Chapter and offered him his Baton to which the IG politely declined, saying that he (the MWS) had probably prepared for the Enthronement better than he had done so himself……… Upon opening the Chapter, The Recorder read the Dispensation authorising the change of date for the meeting. 

The Minutes of the previous meeting were relayed to those present and were duly approved by the members and signed for by the MWS and IG respectively.

Following the Treasurers and Almoners reports, everyone present enjoyed the excellent Enthronement of Ill\Bro Stephen M Middleditch 31°, as the new MWS. The MWS appointed and invested those present with the authority of their respective offices for the ensuing year. The IG then gave the Address to the Chapter to complete the Enthronement.

At the previous meeting of the Chapter in May 2024, the members proposed and agreed to amend their By-Laws to reflect a reduction of their meetings from three meetings a year, to two. The revised By-Laws document was signed by the MWS, Recorder and the IG before being handed to the District Recorder for onward transmission to the Supreme Council 33°, for them to further approve and sanction the changes.

Upon completing the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love in the refectory to enjoy a hearty meal.

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On Thursday 17th October 2024 the Chapter gathered at their Swan Lane home. The Inspector General was warmly welcomed into the Chapter by the MWS, E&P Bro S Hillard 18°,

who, with due respect to his obligation, offered the Inspector General his Chair and Baton. The Inspector General thanked the MWS for his generosity however politely declined the kind offer……..

In somewhat unusual circumstances and a first for the Chapter, the MWS confirmed the Minutes of the Officers and Past Sovereigns meeting and the Enthronement meetings held in June, which were both upon approval, signed by the MWS & IG. 

After appointing and investing three Officers who were not present at the Enthronement meeting, The Chapter carried out a ‘practice’ Perfection ceremony with Ill\Bro M Tonkin 31°, again acting as Candidate for the evening….. E&P Bro J Battell 18°, Second General carried out a word perfect and impressive delivery of the Intermediate degrees. The MWS conducted the First Point with confidence, and the DR conducted the Second Point with the IG giving the Accolade. E&P Bro W Duthie 18°, (Marshal) and E&P Bro P Emmerson 18°, (Raphael) gave assured performances of their duties in both rooms. This being the first time of asking. Well done!!! 

On completion of the Third Point and closing the Chapter, members and guests retired to the Refectory to enjoy a rather plentiful and wholesome 3 course dinner. 

During the formal part of the dinner, III\Bro S Brotherton 30°, received a toast acknowledging his recent promotion to the 30°. 

Another lovely evening had by all.

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The Chapter met on Thursday 10^th October 2024 with E&P Bro P Connor 18°, the MWS warmly welcoming the Inspector General and his District Recorder. The MWS endeavoured to hand his baton and Chair to the IG, but was met with the IG’s standard, polite rejection…..  

The MWS Opened the Chapter, confirmed and approved the previous meeting Minutes, which he and the IG duly signed. 

The next item on the Agenda was to demonstrate parts of the ceremony of Perfection focusing on the Second Point in particular. With Ill\Bro M Tonkin 31°, acting as the Candidate, the MWS directed him through the ladder and exchanged the Word in an excellent manner. The IG had the pleasure of giving the Accolade and the DR equally pleased to present the Emblems and Signs. The Candidate was directed with confidence throughout by Raphael & the Marshal. 

The remainder of the business and the Third Point was carried out by the MWS as per the 2024 Ritual, and after the closing of the Chapter, members retired to enjoy a super dinner in the refectory.

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On Saturday 5^th October 2024, Worcestershire Chapter 970 hosted the first ‘District Annual Meeting’ at Rainbow Hill Freemasons Hall, and what a day to remember. 

Ill\Bro Martyn Hardeman, the MWS, opened the Chapter and awaited the DC to instruct the brethren to rise to receive the M\Ill\Bro The Rev’d Dr S A Thorn 33°, Grand Prior, accompanied by the Inspectors General for Worcestershire; Gloucester & Herefordshire; and South Wales & Monmouthshire. Not forgetting of course that the Inspector General for Warwickshire, V\Ill\Bro Stephen Fowler 33°, being a member and 2^nd General of the Chapter. All four IG’s were also accompanied by their respective District Recorders.

It has all the ingredients to be a great morning and afternoon!!!

After welcoming the Grand Prior and all the other visitors, the MWS invited the Inspector General, V\Ill\Bro Ian Fothergill 33°, to occupy the Chair.  A eulogy was then given by the MWS in respect of Ill\Bro Jonathan Swift 30°, who had sadly passed to the Grand Chapter Above since our last meeting. The Inspector General then asked the District Recorder to read the names of those brethren in the District who had Passed to the Grand Chapter Above during the period 1^st July 2023 and 30^th September 2024. The Prelate then recited a solemn prayer for the departed brethren whilst the Organist played ‘The Day thou Gavest’ quietly in the background.

After confirming and approving the Minutes of the previous meeting, the Minutes were duly signed by the IG, Grand Prior and the MWS.

The IG requested that the Muster Roll of all Chapters were present, and the DR was pleased to confirm that all Chapters in the District were indeed represented.

The DR then presented an annual report which included details of all District Perfections, Resignations, recipients of 50 Year certificates and all the ‘special events’ during the period 1^st July 2023 and 30^thSeptember 2024.

After handing the Chair back to the MWS, the IG asked the DR to name all those who were promoted to the Higher Degrees between 1^st July 2023 and 30^th September 2024. As the DR called out their names, the brethren fell into line in the north and the IG, escorted by the DC, congratulated each and every brother individually and shook their hands. 

The MWS continued with the Agenda and last, but certainly not least, announced the highlight of the day – a presentation by the M\Ill\Bro The Rev’d Dr S A Thorn 33°, Grand Prior entitled ‘1786 and all that’. The talk was beautifully constructed, entertaining and so informative which was just what everyone needed to fully appreciate the recent changes to our ritual. The Chapter then gave a resounding vote of thanks to the Grand Prior. I am sure the contents of the talk continued in all our minds on the journey home. 

The IG conducted the Third Point and the MWS closed the Chapter and everyone retired to the refectory for prosecco & orange Juice reception before settling down to a delightful lunch. The IG had great pleasure in presenting the Grand Prior with a large bottle of Worcestershire’s finest, and a set of six Royal Worcester Evesham Gold porcelain napkin rings as a token of his thanks.

What a fantastic meeting!!!

Saturday 28^th September 2024 was a very special day for the Chapter in general, and III\Bro Gerry Jinks 32°, and III\Bro Simon Jinks 30°, in particular. The 157^th meeting of the Chapter witnessed the most wonderfully conducted ceremony as the MWS, III\Bro Gerry Jinks 32°, had the pleasure of Enthroning his son, III\Bro Simon Jinks 30°, as Most Wise Sovereign. Not something witnessed very often!

The V\Ill\Bro I M Fothergill 33°, Inspector General, V\Ill\Bro S W Fowler 33°, (Chapter member), Inspector General for the District of Warwickshire and V\Ill\Bro Dr R N Hoare 33°, (Chapter member), Former Inspector General of Worcestershire, all those present were treated to a ceremony of the highest quality. 

Following the Opening Hymn, the Prelate gave the Chapter Prayer for St Francis of Assisi.

After opening the Chapter and confirming the Minutes of the previous meeting, the MSW Enthroned his successor with the knowledge that the Chapter was in good hands. The ‘New’ MWS appointed and invested his officers, and the Inspector General delivered the Address to the Chapter with his delightful enthusiasm. 

The high quality of ritual on show did not stop there as, at the end of the Enthronement,  two members of the Chapter delivered elements of the 18°, Ceremony of Perfection. E&P Bro R Pinner 18°, presented the Intermediate Degrees, and E&P N Nicholls presented the Collar & Signs. Both were faultless with their delivery for which they can be proud.

On completion of the Third Point the members retired to the Refectory to enjoy a rather substantial 3 course lunch. A fantastic meeting and great company enjoyed by all.

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On Friday 27^th September 2024 members of the Order including the Inspector General and District Recorder, met at Rainbow Hill, Worcester.

The Most Wise Sovereign III\Bro Maurice A Hume 32°, was unavoidably absent for the evening and the District Recorder was asked to act as the MWS. It was an honour and a privilege for him to do so.

After singing the opening hymn, the MWS in the Chair opened the Chapter.

The main event of the evening was to receive a ‘Talk of Masonic interest’. A ‘Potpourri’ of relevant information specific to the 18°, was presented by the V\Ill\Bro Ian Fothergill 33°, Inspector General of the District of Worcestershire. The talk was interesting and informative which was well received by all present.

The Third Point was conducted by the Inspector General and the MWS in the Chair closed the Chapter and everyone departed in peace and harmony.

The evening was relatively short but very, very enjoyable indeed.

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On Monday 23^rd September 2024 eleven members and visitors including the Inspector General and District Recorder met at Freemasons Hall, Redditch to welcome Bro Paul Erasmus Blackband-Hibbert into our beautiful Order.

The MWS, E&P Bro Stephen Roadly 18°, received the Inspector General and tried his best to persuade him to occupy the Chair and take the baton. The Inspector General received the baton from the MWS and following a few kind words of thanks, returned the baton as he would prefer the MWS to conduct his meeting.

Well, two in two. Two Perfection ceremonies in two consecutive meetings, that is what we like to see!

The ballot proving favourable to the Candidate, the brethren proceeded to confer the Intermediate Degrees, which were proficiently delivered by the Chapter Recorder, III\Bro William Roberts 30°. The MWS conducted the 1^st & 2^nd Points, and with great confidence and bearing of the Candidate, the Marshal, III\Bro Derek Taylor 30°, and Raphael, E&P Bro Stephen Moody 18° ensured a seamless journey. The Marshal completed the 2^ndPoint by explaining the Collar & Signs.

The MWS conducted the 3^rd Point and closed the Chapter. 

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Chapter with reference to the catering department, no dining took place at the Hall. The refectory took the form of a local Indian restaurant, and a lovely meal was had by all.  

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