Author: Taff Hill

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.

On Monday 4^th March 2024 the Inspector General and District Recorder enjoyed a very entertaining and relatively short meeting.

As an additional item on the Agenda, the Inspector General presented the Chapter with a transcript of all the changes contained in the 2024 Ritual. An excellent presentation indeed.On completion of the Third Point the members retired to the Refectory to enjoy another fine dinner.

27 February 2024

On Tuesday 27th February 2024 with some 17 members in attendance including the Inspector General and District Recorder, the Chapter held it annual ‘business’ meeting which saw the Most Wise Sovereign elected to remain in the Chair for a second year. An additional item on the Agenda was an interesting and informative presentation by the Inspector General entitled The Words of the 18°.

On completion of the Third Point, members retired for dinner which included a delightful cold meats, salad and hot new potatoes, followed by a raspberry tart and ice cream.

A lovely, relaxed, and enjoyable meeting in very good company.

On Tuesday 13^th February Ill\Bro Trevor Still, in company with the Inspector General, attended the Grand East for the Higher Degrees Meeting where he was Installed as a Knight Kadosh 30°, in an excellent ceremony conducted by the Members of the Supreme Council, 33°.

Ill\Bro Trevor was awarded his promotion in the summer of last year but work commitments prevented him from attending at an earlier date.

And more congratulations………………….

Congratulations also go to Ill\Bro Royston Foster 30°,  who has been elected to the 31° and will be Installed at Grand East on 9^th July. Both Royston & Trevor are members of St. Dunstan Chapter No. 12. Ill\Bro. Trevor being MWS in 2021 and Ill\Bro Royston is the Senior MWS having been in the Chair in 2001.

On Friday 2^nd February some 100+ members, including the Sovereign Grand Commander and 7 members of the Supreme Council, 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Rite (Rose Croix), mustered in Number One Lodge Room at Kings Heath, under the Banner of Evesham Chapter No.994, for the Installation of V\Ill\ Bro. Ian M Fothergill 33°, as the Inspector General for the District of Worcestershire.

The Most Wise Sovereign of Evesham Chapter, E & P Bro. Stan Brotherton, 18° Opened the Meeting, the Dispensation was read, and The Sovereign Grand Commander, Most\Puissant\Brother John Boyington, CBE, 33° and his team entered in procession under the leadership of the Grand Director of Ceremonies and duly opened a Supreme Council Chapter. An escort was formed to conduct the Inspector General Designate in Charge into the room and the Sovereign Grand Commander, and his team conducted the ceremony of Installation in their own immaculate way.

Following the Installation the Grand Secretary General conducted the Third Point on conclusion of which the members of the Supreme Council, the visiting eight Inspectors General and the new incumbent retired. The Chapter was closed, and some 80 members retired to the Refectory for a first-class Lunch. The new Inspector General was presented with an embossed and engraved pewter box by the Sovereign Grand Commander and in addition a magnificent glass Ghurkha Kukri filled with Gurkhali Rum was presented to him by Ill\Bro. Maurice Hume, 32°

In response to his Toast, the Inspector General presented the Sovereign Grand Commander and the Grand Secretary General with two of Worcestershire’s finest products, a bottle of the Provincial Sauce and an Evesham Design piece of Worcester Porcelain.

It was a truly remarkable and memorable day.

Thursday 1st February 2024. With some 20 members in attendance including the IG Designate, the Chapter were once again able to conduct a Perfection Ceremony to receive W. Bro. Mark Thevassayan Halliah, the son of Stanley Halliah who joined the Chapter last December. 

It is perhaps interesting to note that in both the Craft and Royal Arch it was Mark who introduced his father.

The MWS and members of the Chapter once again conducted a first-class ceremony, following which the annual Elections took place and E.& P. Bro. John G. Randle, 18° was declared as MWS Designate.

On completion of the Third Point the members retired to the Refectory to enjoy another of their preferred very good “Black Country” meals of Soup, followed by Faggots, Mushy Peas, and Chips.

It was another excellent evening of Rose Croix Masonry.