Author: Taff Hill

The Chapter held their first Regular meeting of the new year on Saturday 27^th January 2024.

Immediately after opening the Chapter Eulogies were given in respect of III Bro Allan Jinks 31°, and III Bro David William Old 31°.

A very interesting and informative paper entitled ‘Grand Patrons of the Order’ was given by V III Bro S W Fowler 33°, Inspector General for the District of Warwickshire and a Past Sovereign of the Chapter. The Most Wise Sovereign closed the Chapter and the rest of the afternoon spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love in the dining room.

The Chapter held the first Regular meeting of the new year on Friday 26^th January 2024.

After opening the Chapter and approving the Minutes, the main item on the Agenda was to hold comprehensive discussion regarding the immediate future and meeting options for the Chapter and the election of Officers for the May meeting.The Immediate Past Sovereign closed the Chapter and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love in the dining room.

The Chapter held their first Regular meeting of the new year on Monday 25^th January 2024.

Immediately after opening the Chapter Eulogies were given in respect of III Bro J C Jones 30°, and III Bro M J Bartels 30°.

The main items on the Agenda was to elect the MWS and Treasurer for the ensuing year. Once again at the first rising, the Inspector General Designate gave details of the forthcoming changes within the Order which was very well received.

The Regular meeting of the Bordesley Abbey Chapter took place on Monday 22nd January 2024 with 12 members of the Order present, including the Inspector General Designate in Charge.

The main labour of the evening was the Perfection of Bro Daren Field which proved to be a very well conducted Ceremony. Particularly worthy of mention was the delivery of the Intermediate Degrees by E& P Bro. Steven Roadley, and the MWS did a first class job in conducting the remainder of the Ceremony. Ill. Bro. Derek Taylor presented the Collar, Jewel and Signs in his own inimitable fashion.

Due to numbers, there was no Refectory but a small group enjoyed a very pleasant Curry in an Indian Restaurant close by.

All in all a first class Rose Croix evening.

A meeting of the Gervase Paganel Chapter RC No 316 was held on Thursday 18th January 2024. The Chapter was opened by the IPS in the unfortunate absence of the MWS in a most delightful manner. The main items on the Agenda was to elect the MWS and Treasurer for the ensuing year.

The Inspector General Designate in Charge then presented a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro Rob Crew in his own inspiring and interesting way.

During the 1st Rising the Inspector General Designate in Charge again provided an open, honest and frank explanation of the changes to our Order as from 1st March 2024. A Q&A session then took place and the MWS in the Chair thanked him for addressing the Chapter in such a reassuring way. 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 in the Chair in another delightful and impressive manner.

After the closing of the Chapter, the Prelate gave a most interesting and informative presentation of his many and varied collection of masonic jewels and other masonic artefacts which was very well received by all of the brethren.

The next Chapter meeting will be on Thursday 11th April 2024. Please make every effort to attend.

Ill Bro Michael J Bartels.

It is with much sadness that we report the Passing to the Grand Chapter Above of Ill Bro Michael J Bartels a member of St Mary and All Saints Chapter No. 688 on Friday afternoon 12th January 2024.

Ill Bro Michael was Perfected in January 1997, served as Most Wise Sovereign in 2010 and was Promoted to the 30^th Degree in 2012.

His extensive masonic career saw him initiated into Vernon Lodge 560 in 1970, where he was WM in 1979, and achieving the Rank of PProvSGW. Exalted into Vernon Chapter 560 in 1980 he became First Principal in 1991, holding the Rank of PProvGSN and a holder of the Provincial Grand Superintendent’s Certificate of Merit. He had recently retired as Vice Chancellor in the United Orders of the Temple and Malta an office he held for 12 years, and held the rank of Past Great Registrar. He was the current Worshipful Deputy Master of Severn Lodge No. 19 of the Scottish Masters of St. Andrew.

We send our sincere condolences to his family.

May he now Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

Wednesday 10th January 2024 saw the first meeting of 2024 for St Dunstan Chapter No 12. The Most Wise Sovereign opened the Chapter and shortly after opening a ballot was held for a Candidate for Perfection. The ballot proving in favour of the Candidate, Bro William J Hoe was Perfected in an excellent ceremony with the MWS and his Generals delivering assured performances of their ritual. During the First Risings, the Inspector General Designate in Charge took the opportunity of addressing the Chapter and provided an open, honest and frank explanation of the changes that we about to see in the Order. A Q&A session then took place and the Chapter thanked the Inspector General Designate in Charge for the reassurance. The Most Wise Sovereign then closed the Chapter in solemn form and all members and visitors retired from the Chapter and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love and enjoyed a super dinner. E&P Bro Hoe received a lovely explanation of the Fire used in this Degree by the Chaplain.

Monday 8th January 2024 saw the first meeting of the District at Northfield Chapter No 1022. The Most Wise Sovereign opened the Chapter after which he gave a demonstration of the Intermediate Degrees. The Inspector General Designate in Charge then presented a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro C Overall 18° in a most delightful and enjoyable manner. A ballot was then held and E&P Bro N Nichols 18° became a Joining Member of the Chapter. Before the Risings, the Inspector General Designate in Charge took the opportunity of addressing the Chapter and provided an open, honest and frank explanation of the changes that we about to see in the Order. A Q&A session then took place and the Chapter thanked the Inspector General Designate in Charge for the reassurance. The Most Wise Sovereign then closed the Chapter in solemn form and all members and visitors retired from the Chapter and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love and enjoyed a super dinner.

It is with a very heavy heart and much sadness we communicate the very sad news of the passing to the Grand Chapter Above of III. Bro David Old 31°.

David had felt unwell on and off for a few days, and was at home when he passed away yesterday, Saturday 16th December 2023.

David was a stalwart of St Francis of Assisi Chapter No 711 and a lovely man who will be missed by all.