Author: Taff Hill

On Monday 27^th January 2025, with only 8 members of the Order present including the Inspector General and 1 Visitor, the Chapter was opened at 1800 hrs by the MWS in the Chair, III\Bro Del Padmore 30°, who gave a full account for the lack of attendance and then welcomed the Inspector General to the meeting and proffered him the baton which he as usual declined.

With various members being placed into Office, including the Visitor as Prelate the Chapter was Opened and the initial usual administration conducted. 

The Inspector General was then invited to present his recently approved paper “Why did our Order remove the requirement of swearing Allegiance to the Trinitarian Faith?” This was very well received and prompted some interesting questions, and it was suggested that it should be made available to all the members of the District. The IG agreed he would talk with the DR and make suitable arrangements.

He ended his talk by referring to the request recently made to individual Chapters in the District regarding using the Nunc Dimittis as a Recessional Hymn after Closing. 

St. Luke’s Gospel Chapter 2 v25-29 refers:

“After Simeon had seen and held Jesus, he broke out in the song we still sing: “Lord, now You let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” 

The Doxology at the end is an expression of praise sung to the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and is obviously as stated Trinitarian and therefore no longer approved.

The IG emphasised that given that we have just prior to Closing conducted the Third Point, forming a living circle of eternity and shared the goblet of fraternal friendship and fidelity and once Closed are moving to the Refectory to enjoy a social gathering, why would we want to end the Meeting singing a “song relating to death.”

The IG then presented a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro Paul E Blackband-Hibbert in his usual erudite manner and welcomed him warmly into the Order, the District in General and Bordesley Abbey Chapter in particular.

The IG was thanked by the MWS in the Chair for all his work.

The MWS Declared the nominations for the MWS and Treasurer remaining in their respective Chairs for a further year. Unfortunately, neither were present.

The meeting was Closed following the Third Point but unfortunately there was no Refectory due to the small numbers in attendance.

Next meeting – Monday 28^th April 2025.

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9 members of the Chapter plus 3 visitors including the Inspector General and the District Recorder met at Kings Heath Freemasons Hall on Saturday 25^th January 2025 to enjoy a relatively short but never the less very enjoyable meeting.

The Inspector General, V\Ill\Bro Ian M Fothergill 33°, accompanied by V\Ill\Bro Stephen W  Fowler 33°, (Inspector General for the District of Warwickshire), and V\Ill\Bro Dr Richard N Hoare 33°, (Former Inspector General of the District of Worcestershire), were escorted into the Chapter by the Director of Ceremonies. Before taking his seat in the Chapter, the MWS very kindly offered the Batten and Chair to the IG which was declined with equal kindness by the IG……. 

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 MWS Invested the Prelate as he was unfortunately absent for the Enthronement meeting. 

Then followed an exemplary presentation of the Collar & Signs by Raphael, E&P Bro R Pinner 18°. The delivery was so good that the MWS informed him that he was tasked to deliver it again at their next meeting at which there will be a Perfection…………

On completion of the Third Point the members retired to the Refectory to enjoy an excellent 3 course lunch. Once again excellent meeting and great company enjoyed by all.

Next meeting – Saturday 26^th April 2025.

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8 Members of the Chapter, 1 Visitor and the Inspector General attended the January Regular Meeting of the Chapter at the James S Webb Freemasonry Centre, Victoria Street, Stourbridge on Thursday 16th.

Prior to the main item on the Agenda a Ballot was taken for two Joining Members, who had become unattached following the Closure of St. Edmund King & Martyr Chapter: The Ballot  proved favourable, and they were duly welcomed into the Chapter. Unfortunately, due to work commitments only one was present.

There then followed by Declaration the election of the MWS and Treasurer both of whom thanked the Chapter for their confidence in response. 

The main business of the evening was the MWS conducting the explanation of the Collar, Jewel & Signs of the 18^th Degree. It commenced with the IG conducting the Accolade prior to the explanation taking place and was done satisfactorily. It completed, other than the Installation of his Successor, all the necessary work required by the MWS.

On completion of the Third Point nine members retired to The Old Edwardian Club to enjoy a very convivial and tasty meal to end another meeting of a Chapter in this beautiful Order that we all enjoy.

Next meeting – Thursday 10^th Apr 2025 (Enthronement).

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Some 12 members of the Order which included the Inspector General and 1 Visitor attended Northfield Freemasons Hall for the Regular January Meeting of the Chapter on Monday 13^th January.

On this occasion it was a Perfection Ceremony to welcome E & P Bro. Lawrence J C Wood into our Order.

Due to unforeseen circumstances following the MWS having been injured in an accident in Australia, the Chair was taken by the Chapter Almoner, Ill Bro. John Pritchard, 30°, with the ceremony being conducted by the Chapter Recorder and Inspector General, with the Visitor acting as Rafael. The Marshal also deserves a mention for the very good work he conducted including the explanation of the Collar, Jewel & Signs.

On completion of the Third Point the Chapter was closed and the Brethren retired to enjoy an exceptionally good evening meal in the Refectory.

Whilst the numbers were small it was a most enjoyable Rose Croix evening.

Next meeting – Monday 10^th March 2025.

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Wednesday 8^th January 2025 saw the first meeting of the year in the wonderful District of Worcestershire. And what a welcome into the New Year it proved…………

Twenty One members & visitors including the Inspector General and the District Recorder assembled for the ‘Business’ meeting of the Chapter. 

Upon failing miserably to hand his Chair & Baton to the IG, the MSW, E&P Bro Phil Abram 18°, Opened the Chapter and the Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. The MWS then declared E&P Bro Karl Haines 18°, and E&P Bro Alex Sinton 18°, Treasurer for the ensuing year. It was also announced by the MWS that as of the next meeting of the Chapter, the Chapter was going to return to the ‘old progressive process’ whereby the IPS automatically assumed the office of Outer Guard, following his rightful year as IPS. This was welcomed by the members……… 

Then followed an informative and much welcomed talk by the IG giving reference to the background and impact of the recent changes in the Ritual. The MWS and all the brethren thanked the IG for the explanation he gave.

Upon Closing the Chapter and carrying out the Third Point, the brethren retired to the Refectory to enjoy an excellent dinner.

Next meeting – Friday 2^nd May 2025. (Enthronement)

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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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