Author: Taff Hill

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.

On Thursday 4^th April 2024 the Inspector General was warmly welcomed into 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 in his accustomed humorous manner.

After confirming the minutes of the previous meeting and receiving a Treasurers report, the Inspector General was delighted to present Supreme Council Certificates to E&P Bro Alan Jasper 18°, and E&P Bro Mark Nalliah 18°, in his own most delightful and enjoyable way.

The main business of the evening saw the MWS Enthrone E&P Bro John G Randle, 18° in a most impressive and confident manner. The new MWS then appointed & invested his officers with impressive confidence and ability.

At the end of the Third Rising, the Prelate gave a short but extremely inspiring talk reference the recent changes within our beautiful order. He reiterated that similar changes had been made over many years in Craft and other Orders which may have upset some, but because of the strong foundations made all those years ago, our belief ensured that we are still here!

On completion of the Third Point the members retired to the Refectory to enjoy a hearty meal with much humour, and great company.

On Thursday 28th March 2024 the Chapter held its annual ‘business’ meeting.

The Inspector General was warmly welcomed into the Chapter by the MWS who, with due respect to his obligation, offered the Inspector General his Chair and Baton. The Inspector General very politely declined the kind offer, and returned the Baton saying that there was work to be done, and that the MWS was better suited than he to carry this work out.

The Inspector General then gave grateful thanks to the Chapter, MWS and the Recorder in particular, for the excellence of the organisation, smooth running and superb support provided by the members at his Installation on Friday 2^nd February 2024. He also said that they were the cornerstone for ensuring it was such a wonderful day enjoyed by so many, and one he will never forget.

Immediately after opening the Chapter observed a moment’s reflection given in respect of former member, III Bro Peter Griffiths 30°.

Members were very pleased to ballot for and welcome the return of III Bro Steve Tugwell 30°, to the Chapter. 

Using the 2024 Ritual, the MWS, E&P Bro S Brotherton gave a demonstration of the First & Second Points, and the Second General E&P Bro S Hillard, the Collar & Signs. A very accomplished and impressive demonstration indeed by both of them.

The Inspector General then had the pleasure of presenting a Supreme Council certificate to the newest member of the Chapter, E&P Bro T McMillan 18°. On completion of the Third Point and closing the Chapter, members retired to the Refectory to enjoy a super meal provided by the new caterers.

A ‘bumper’ attendance at the Worcestershire Chapter No 970 on Monday 25^th March 2024 saw III Bro M Hardeman 30°, Enthroned as the Most Wise Sovereign. A very special moment for the newly enthroned MWS as his father was a Founder of the chapter and himself the MWS Chapter in 1990/1991.

III Bro G Jinks 31°, enthronement his successor in a very accomplished manner and with great pride. 

After the MWS appointed and invested his officers, V III Bro Ian M Fothergill 33°, Inspector General for the District of Worcestershire presented a Long Service Certificate to III Bro Michael Birt Simpson 32° acknowledging his 50 years of long, loyal, and distinguished service to our wonderful Order of the Ancient & Accepted Rite. A truly proud moment for III Bro Michael who was so thankful for the honour and was then greeted with a huge and very well-deserved round of applause. 

The next item on the Agenda was a presentation by the Midlands Rose Croix Chapter of Improvement (MRCCI) team demonstrating the Perfection ceremony as per the 2024 Ritual. This was very well received by all present, and highlighted that the changes were hardly noticeable.

Following the remainder of the business for the Chapter and conducting the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter the brethren retired to the Refectory to enjoy a hearty meal in Harmony and Brotherly Love.

Friday 22^nd March 2024, the Inspector General and District Recorder were warmly welcomed to the Chapter for their Enthronement meeting. 

The whole meeting was conducted in a most efficient manner and in such an enjoyable atmosphere using the 2024 Ritual throughout, and thus becoming first Chapter in the District of Worcestershire to carry out an Enthronement with the ‘new ritual’. The evening was all the more enjoyable given the sincere courage and dedication of the incoming Most Wise Sovereign, E&P Bro Ed Baker 18°, especially so soon after his recent road traffic accident.

On completion of the Enthronement, the Inspector General gave another of his inspiring talks to the Chapter reference the adoption and consolidation of the 2024 Ritual.  A delightful meal followed completing a super evening.

Tuesday 12th March 2024, the Inspector General and District Recorder once again received a very warm welcome to the Chapter.

A relatively short meeting with the main item on the Agenda being a presentation by the Inspector General representing all the changes contained in the 2024 Ritual. An excellent and reassuring presentation indeed.

Sadly, a Notice of Motion was given that due to circumstances, the Chapter intends to surrender its Warrant and to dispose of its Assets. On completion of the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love at dinner.

Monday 11th March 2024, the Inspector General and District Recorder received a warm welcome to the Chapter for their annual ‘business’ meeting. E&P Bro M Gohil 18° was elected as the MWS, and E&P Bro J Pegler re-elected as Treasurer for the ensuing year.

Ill\Bro A Bretherton 30° had the honour and pleasure of presenting the Immediate Past Sovereign Jewel to III\Bro J Pritchard 30°. 

On completion of the Third Point and after closing the Chapter, E&P Bro J Pegler 18° delivered a most interesting and comprehensive talk entitled ‘In the Beginning’ which was very enjoyable indeed. The rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love in the dining Room whilst enjoying a most delightful evening meal.