Author: Taff Hill

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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On Monday 16^th September 2024, two Candidates and six supporters, including the IG and DR, set out in a minibus for the Grand East. This included a comfort break at Beaconsfield Services where they enjoyed a delightful picnic lunch courtesy of Ill\Bro Simon and Kirsty Jinks.

After booking in at Number 10, we all retired for refreshment to the Cavendish Hotel, courtesy of the IG, to enjoy a pre-meeting drink.

As always the Supreme Council conducted a first-class ceremony, on completion of which the assembled company retired to Mark Masons Hall and enjoyed a quality evening meal.

Whilst there are tales to tell regarding our return journey, they will be kept “sub rosa.”

It was an excellent day out and we congratulate Ill\Bro’s Stan Brotherton and Bill Tucker on receiving their well-earned promotions.

It is with great pleasure we announce the forthcoming promotions to the 31°, to become effective on Tuesday 11th February 2025:

• Ill. Bro. Lindsay D Hill (Taff) our sedulous District Recorder

• Ill. Bro. Stephen J Wyer – our dedicated Provincial Grand Master/MEGS.

We send our heartiest congratulations to them both.

On Wednesday 11^th September 2024 at the Warwickshire Chapter RC No 483, the V\Ill\Bro Stephen W Fowler 33°, received his Patent extension of a further 5 years in a delightful meeting ‘full of pomp & ceremony.’ The hugely impressive Freemasons Hall location of Alderson House in Warwick was chosen to mark the occasion.

The Patent was presented by the M\Ill\Bro Sir Andrew Parmley, FRCO 33°, Grand Captain General, who made the occasion extra special with his charm and infectious humour.

V\Ill\Bro Stephen W Fowler 33°, is of course also a member of St Francis of Assisi Chapter RC No 711, and Worcestershire Chapter RC No 970. On behalf of all the members of the District of Worcestershire, we are so pleased to see you continue as the Inspector General of Warwickshire, and we wish you a happy and enjoyable further 5 years.

Also on the meeting Agenda was a guided commentary & demonstration of the Ceremony of Perfection by the Midlands Rose Croix Chapter of Improvement (MRCCI). The demonstration was once again very well received by all, and for most of the members present, was the first time they had seen the Revised Ritual performed. A big thank you to III\Bro Charles Dyer 32°, Preceptor of the MRCCI for coordinating another successful event.

A superb dinner was enjoyed by all in the Refectory following the meeting, and all that remains to be said is “what a fantastic evening”.

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Picking up from where we left off………  Being the last Chapter to meet at the end of last season and the first Chapter to meet in the new season, Breme Chapter met for their 129^th Regular meeting on Wednesday 4^thSeptember 2024. With batteries fully recharged, the main item on the Agenda was the Perfection of Bro Phillip Butler, a Past Master of Page Lodge No 3378. And what a super evening it was for the 22 members including 8 visitors present……..

The MWS, E&P Bro Richard Noakes 18°, opened the Chapter, proved the Minutes of the previous meeting, conducted a Ballot (for Perfection), and then proceeded to confer the Intermediate Degrees.

Ill\Bro K Parkes 30°, conducted the 1^st Point in his customary delightful manner, with the 2^nd Point shared seamlessly by the MWS and E&P Bro A Lewis 18°, who again impressed with his word-perfect delivery in presenting the Collar & Signs. The Candidate was also ‘suitably cared for and directed’ by both the Marshal & Raphael throughout.

The MWS declared that he would continue as the MWS for a second year, and then also declared that III\Bro N J Evans 30°, would continue as Treasurer. On completion of the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter, and a fine dinner was enjoyed by all in the Refectory during which III\Bro K Parkes gave a delightful explanation of the ‘Fire’. 

Unfortunately, the Inspector General was unable to attend the meeting due to being ‘Hors de Combat’ following an operation the previous week. He will be undoubtedly pleased with the number of visitors that supported the Chapter, and that there were a total of 8 Red Collars present.

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On Wednesday 17^th July some 120 brethren, including the Most Illustrious Bro. James A. F. Thom, KC, 33°, Grand Chamberlain, and the Inspectors General from Berkshire, Derbyshire, South Wales and Monmouthshire and the Past Inspector General for Beford & Hertfordshire, together with the District IG, attended the KEVII Chapter of Improvement Demonstration of the 17°, at Freemasons Hall, Kings Heath, hosted by the MRCCI and with members of Worcestershire assisting in the ceremony as four of the “Ancients”.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the KEVII Chapter of Improvement Ill. Bro. P. Brockbank who explained what was about to take place. Then the Demonstration Team, including the Worcestershire contingent, took their places. There then followed a very interesting and full demonstration of the Degree ritual for a Knight of the East & West. It was interesting to note that on several occasions there was clear reference to ritual in other Companion Orders.

On completion of the Ceremony the Grand Chamberlain gave a vote of thanks to the demonstration team which was greeted with extended acclaim.

Some 113 members in attendance then retired to enjoy a convivial drinks reception followed by a very enjoyable Dinner in the Refectory.

Yet again members of the District of Worcestershire and visitors enjoyed a wonderful evening of Rose Croix Masonry. 

On Tuesday 9^th July Ill. Bros, Royston Foster (St. Dunstan Chapter No. 12), and John Owen, (Halesowen Chapter No. 615), accompanied by the Inspector General journeyed to London for their installation as Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commanders 31^o.

Following a light lunch in the Cavendish Hotel courtesy of the Inspector General, they, and 15 other worthy brethren, entered the Grand Temple at Grand East to receive at the hands of the Sovereign Grand Commander and other members of the Supreme Council 33^o the usual exemplary ritual which, as always for the Higher Degrees, is conducted by them alone, and were installed and invested as members of the 31^o.

Our Congratulations are extended to both for achieving this well-deserved honour and they in turn have commented on what a great and enjoyable day it was.

The District is delighted to welcome them in their new capacity and looks forward to them receiving their “Higher Degrees” Toast at the next meeting of their individual Chapters.

The Chapter met for their 128^th Regular meeting on Wednesday 3^rd July 2024. The main Business on the Agenda being the Perfection of Bro Mark Henderson, thankfully fully recovered from illness which caused his absence from the previous meeting.

The MWS, E&P Bro Richard Noakes 18°, opened the Chapter, proved the Minutes of the previous meeting, and then proceeded to confer the Intermediate Degrees.

Ill\Bro K Parkes 30°, conducted the 1^st & 2^nd Points in an impressive manner, and E&P Bro A Lewis 18°, gave a word perfect and delightful example of presenting the Collar & Signs.

On completion of the remainder of the Business and the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter and a fine dinner was enjoyed by all in the Refectory. 

Unfortunately, the Inspector General was unable to attend the meeting due to other commitments, but he would have enjoyed the quality of the work in the Lodgeroom. He will also be further pleased that there will be another Perfection ceremony at the next meeting of the Chapter.

On Sunday 30^th June the members of Halesowen Chapter held another very successful Sunday Lunch at Newfields, with some 48 members, their partners and guests in attendance.

Following an excellent 3 Course meal the assembled company were enthralled by a first-class presentation by Dr. Kate Round, PhD, who is an outreach presenter and tour guide for Dudley Museum Service. Her knowledge and delivery of the history of glass making back to the 8^th Century BC, and its development, focusing on and tracing the roots of Stourbridge glassmakers, was both fascinating and very informative.

We must remember of course that the Masonic Centre, formerly the Carlisle Hall in Victoria Street, Stourbridge, is dedicated; thanks to a most generous donation from the widow, Mrs Constance Webb; to James S Webb, a renown Stourbridge glassmaker.

On Friday 28^th June 2024, the Inspector General and District Recorder received a warm welcome to the Chapter by the MWS who, with due respect to his obligation, offered the Inspector General his Chair and Baton. The Inspector General thanked the MWS for his very kind and generous offer, but politely declined returning the Baton with his accustomed humour. 

It was to be a relatively short ‘business’ meeting with E&P Bro E D Baker 18°, being re-elected to serve a second year as the MWS, and Ill\Bro M L Thomas 31°, re-elected as Treasurer for the ensuing year. 

The Immediate Past Sovereign, E&P Bro M R Hudson 18^th, then carried out a delightful demonstration of the First Point, completing all the work necessary for recommendation for the Higher Degree.

On completion of an excellent Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter, and the rest of the evening spent in the refectory where everyone enjoyed a delightful meal to round off a super evening.