Author: Taff Hill

Are you thinking about your next step in freemasonry? Around the world, the second largest order after the Craft is the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, consisting of thirty-three degrees. In England and Wales it is known as the Ancient and Accepted Rite, and is often referred to as ‘Rose Croix’, because candidates join at the 18th degree, which has the formal title Prince Rose Croix of Heredom.

Building on what you have learnt in the three Craft degrees and the Royal Arch, the 18° ceremony considers the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth through deeper philosophical and spiritual teachings, guiding candidates towards a greater understanding of themselves and their connection to the universe. It is a ceremony unlike any other in freemasonry, and is often described by candidates as their most profound experience since Initiation.

As the Royal Arch draws on themes from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), so the 18° draws upon various books of the New Testament, but you no longer have to be a Christian in order to join: the Order is now open to all Master Masons who will be of at least six months’ standing at the time of their ‘Perfection’, as the joining ceremony is known. The ritual uses the life and teachings of Jesus to illustrate masonic virtues, which Christians will recognise as the basis of their own faith, but these virtues are shared by all the major world religions and the teachings are of contemporary relevance to all, regardless of their faith.

Most Rose Croix chapters meet only three times a year, so membership is not a significant addition to your current masonic commitments, and the dues are among the lowest of any masonic Order. The regalia of the 18° consists only of a beautiful collar and jewel.

Interested? To find out more, please contact Lindsay (Taff) Hill, District Recorder of the District of Worcestershire at taff.hill@yahoo.co.uk , and he will be delighted to give you further details.

On Wednesday 15^th May 2024 the Inspector General and District Recorder received a warm welcome to the Chapter for their annual ‘business’ meeting. 

Immediately after Opening the Chapter, the Recorder read the Dispensation authorising the change of date for the meeting. The reason for the change was to allow several members of the Chapter to attend the Centenary celebrations of All Saints Chapter RC No 217 in the neighbouring district of Staffordshire & Shropshire. 

The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and III\Bro Robert Bennett 30°, was elected as the MWS for the ensuing year, III\Bro Peter Marks 30°, re-elected as Treasurer for the ensuing year, and the in-coming Generals were elected as the two account examiners.

Following the Third Point and Closing the Chapter, members retired to the Refectory where we were joined by 3 Master Masons who were given a very brief description and welcome to our beautiful Order by the Inspector General. Another fine dinner in super company was enjoyed by all.

Monday 14^th May 2024, the Inspector General and District Recorder received a very warm welcome to the Chapter, however in such sad circumstances. Unfortunately, this was to be the very last meeting for the Chapter. Due to circumstance beyond their control, it was to surrender its Warrant, and dispose of its Assets.

Immediately after opening the Chapter, the Chapter Recorder gave a Eulogy for III Bro Paul Woodward 30°, who sadly lost his battle with illness and passed to the Grand Chapter Above on 25^th March 2024. Paul was also to be the very last Most Wise Sovereign of the Chapter.

After approving the Minutes of the previous meeting and before the formal transaction of the business for the proposals for the Chapter closure process, the Inspector General presented a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro Graham Lloyd in his usual delightful and informative manner. 

On completion of the Third Point, the Immediate Past Sovereign closed the Chapter for the final time. The rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love in the dining room with a wonderful roast beef dinner enjoyed by all.

On behalf of the District of Worcestershire, huge thanks to all St Edmund King & Martyr members for their kind generosity and consideration in the disposal of their Assets. We wish them well and hope that they will soon find alternative arrangements to continue to enjoy our beautiful Order.

On Friday 3^rd May 2024, 26 members and visitors including the District Recorder assembled for the Enthronement meeting. It was very pleasing indeed to see half of those present were wearing red collars.

After singing the opening hymn and opening the Chapter, the MWS gave a moving eulogy to E&P Bro Phillip E Read 18°, who sadly passed to the Grand Chapter Above on Monday 15^th April 2024.

After receiving the Minutes of the St Dunstan Chapter meeting held 100 years ago, The District Recorder had the honour and pleasure of presenting a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro William J Hoe 18°.

The next item on the Agenda, the MWS, E&P Bro Bill Tucker 18°, Enthroned E&P Bro Phillip Abram 18°, in a most impressive, relaxed, and dignified manner. An Enthronement which Sovereigns both past & present would have been most proud.

The incoming MWS appointed and invested his Officers with the authority of their office, again in a most delightful, relaxed and at times, humorous way……… 

The Enthronement ceremony was completed with an Address to the Princes of the Chapter by the District Recorder.

On completion of the remainder of the Business, the new MWS conducted Third Point for his first time, in a very competent and impressive manner. The MWS closed the Chapter and everyone retired to the refectory and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love and enjoyed a super dinner. 

A wonderful evening had by all.

Also on Wednesday 1^st May 2024 some 16 members of the Order including the Inspector General, met at Rainbow Hill for the Enthronement meeting of the Chapter.

Due to circumstances III\Bro Maurice A. Hume, 32° was Proclaimed in the Chair for a second year.

Having thanked the Chapter for their continued confidence the MWS then appointed and invested his Officers with the authority of their office. Again, unfortunately due to ill health or work commitments a number of elected Officers were unable to attend but thanks to the support of Visitors all posts were filled for the evening.

The Chapter were then provided with an excellent Presentation of parts of the revised ritual, namely the Intermediate Degrees and Second Point including the Collar Jewel and Signs, by the Worcestershire team of the MRCCI accompanied by a commentary from the Inspector General. This was received with acclaim.

Following the conducting of the Third Point the Chapter was closed and the assembled company retired to the Refectory for a very pleasant evening meal.

The Chapter met on Wednesday 1^st May 2024 with some 15 members of the Order present, including the District Recorder.

The Business of the Chapter was to have included a Perfection ceremony and Enthronement but unfortunately the Candidate for Perfection was taken poorly the night before the meeting. The Perfection will now take pride of place on the Agenda at the July meeting.

Meanwhile prior his Enthronement, E&P Bro Richard Noakes 18°, gave a demonstration of the Intermediate Degrees.  The MWS, III\Bro S Cameron 30°, then performed a most impressive Enthronement ceremony, placing E&P Bro Noakes into the Chair. The new MWS then invested and appointed his Officers after which the District Recorder gave the Address to the Princes of the Chapter.

On completion of the remainder of the Business and the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter. 

Due to being unable to dine at the centre on this occasion, the members retired to enjoy a very pleasant Curry at a local Indian Restaurant.

The Chapter held their 156th Regular meeting at Kings Heath Freemason’s Hall on Saturday 27^th April 2024 with 22 members & Guests including V\Ill\Bro I M Fothergill 33°, Inspector General, V\Ill\Bro Dr R N Hoar 33°, (Chapter member), Former Inspector General, and V\Ill\Bro S W Fowler 33°(Chapter member), Inspector General for the District of Warwickshire.

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 Chapter Elected the MWS, Treasurer, Account Examiners, and the Outer Guard for the ensuing year. The MWS Elect made a (humorous) request for a ballot to select the new MWS, which was very politely and equally humorously declined…….

The next item on the Agenda was to receive a demonstration of the Perfection Ceremony using the 2024 Ritual by the MRCCI Team. The Intermediate Degrees however, were conducted by E&P Bro N P Nicholls in a very confident and competent manner.

The demonstration was once again very well received and considered very helpful to all attending. The Inspector General is pleased that all the Chapters that he has visited since 1^st March have used the 2024 Ritual throughout their meetings. Thank you.

On completion of the Third Point the members retired to the Refectory to enjoy lunch of broccoli & stilton soup, fish & chips, and fresh fruit salad/cheese & biscuits. A fantastic meeting and great company enjoyed by all.

On Monday 22^nd April 2024 some 19 members including the Inspector General met at Freemasons Hall, Redditch for the Enthronement Meeting.

The MWS, Ill Bro. Del Padmore, 30° received the Inspector General and proffered him the baton, for which the Inspector General thanked the MWS but stated that as they both had work to do he would prefer him to conduct his meeting.

In welcoming the Visitors, the MWS also mentioned the Chapter’s very good attendance at the Installation Meeting of the IG on 2^nd February, commenting on what an excellent day it was. The IG thanked to Chapter for their support.

The Enthronement of E&P Bro Steven Roadley 18°, was then conducted in an excellent manner using the 2024 Ritual, followed by the Appointment and Installation of the Officers for the ensuing year.

The Inspector General then had great pleasure in presenting E&P Bro. Daren Field with his Supreme Council Certificate in his usual informative style.

Following the conducting of the 3^rd Point and the closure of the Chapter, 18 members retired to the Refectory to enjoy a very convivial evening meal, which was notable in that it was the first occasion since the Close Down for Covid that the Chapter had sufficient numbers attending to enable them to use the Lodge Rooms catering facilities.

The whole evening was a very good example of all that is good in Rose Croix Masonry. 

It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that III\Bro Gerald Jinks has been elected to the 32º, and III\Bro Keith Owen elected to the 31°. III\Bro Jinks will receive his new Degree at the meeting at Grand East on Tuesday 4th June 2024, and III\Bro Owen on Tuesday 9th July 2024. 

I am sure you will agree, well deserved honours and reflective of all the hard work in their respective Chapters. Many congratulations Gerry & Keith.

The Enthronement meeting of the Gervase Paganel Chapter RC No 316 was held on Thursday 11th April 2024. The Chapter was opened by the MWS, and the Inspector General and District Recorder were warmly welcomed to the Chapter.

The MWS was to remain ‘in the Chair’ for a second year and was duly Proclaimed for the ensuing year by the Director of Ceremonies. The MWS then proceeded to appointed and invest his officers with confidence and sincerity. 

On completion of the Enthronement, the Inspector General gave the Address to the Chapter in his most delightful way. 

The next item on the Agenda was to demonstrate parts of the ceremony of Perfection during which the MWS conducted the First Point using the 2024 Ritual. A job very well done.

The remainder of the business for the good of the Chapter or the advancement of the Rite was completed, and the Third Point was carried out by the MWS as per the 2024 Ritual. It is really encouraging to see Chapters embrace the ‘new’ ritual since it came into effect on 1^st March 2024.

After the closing of the Chapter, members retired to enjoy a super dinner at the Old Edwardian members club.