Category: News

Monday 14^th May 2024, the Inspector General and District Recorder received a very warm welcome to the Chapter, however in such sad circumstances. Unfortunately, this was to be the very last meeting for the Chapter. Due to circumstance beyond their control, it was to surrender its Warrant, and dispose of its Assets.

Immediately after opening the Chapter, the Chapter Recorder gave a Eulogy for III Bro Paul Woodward 30°, who sadly lost his battle with illness and passed to the Grand Chapter Above on 25^th March 2024. Paul was also to be the very last Most Wise Sovereign of the Chapter.

After approving the Minutes of the previous meeting and before the formal transaction of the business for the proposals for the Chapter closure process, the Inspector General presented a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro Graham Lloyd in his usual delightful and informative manner. 

On completion of the Third Point, the Immediate Past Sovereign closed the Chapter for the final time. The rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love in the dining room with a wonderful roast beef dinner enjoyed by all.

On behalf of the District of Worcestershire, huge thanks to all St Edmund King & Martyr members for their kind generosity and consideration in the disposal of their Assets. We wish them well and hope that they will soon find alternative arrangements to continue to enjoy our beautiful Order.

On Friday 3^rd May 2024, 26 members and visitors including the District Recorder assembled for the Enthronement meeting. It was very pleasing indeed to see half of those present were wearing red collars.

After singing the opening hymn and opening the Chapter, the MWS gave a moving eulogy to E&P Bro Phillip E Read 18°, who sadly passed to the Grand Chapter Above on Monday 15^th April 2024.

After receiving the Minutes of the St Dunstan Chapter meeting held 100 years ago, The District Recorder had the honour and pleasure of presenting a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro William J Hoe 18°.

The next item on the Agenda, the MWS, E&P Bro Bill Tucker 18°, Enthroned E&P Bro Phillip Abram 18°, in a most impressive, relaxed, and dignified manner. An Enthronement which Sovereigns both past & present would have been most proud.

The incoming MWS appointed and invested his Officers with the authority of their office, again in a most delightful, relaxed and at times, humorous way……… 

The Enthronement ceremony was completed with an Address to the Princes of the Chapter by the District Recorder.

On completion of the remainder of the Business, the new MWS conducted Third Point for his first time, in a very competent and impressive manner. The MWS closed the Chapter and everyone retired to the refectory and the rest of the evening spent in Harmony and Brotherly Love and enjoyed a super dinner. 

A wonderful evening had by all.

Also on Wednesday 1^st May 2024 some 16 members of the Order including the Inspector General, met at Rainbow Hill for the Enthronement meeting of the Chapter.

Due to circumstances III\Bro Maurice A. Hume, 32° was Proclaimed in the Chair for a second year.

Having thanked the Chapter for their continued confidence the MWS then appointed and invested his Officers with the authority of their office. Again, unfortunately due to ill health or work commitments a number of elected Officers were unable to attend but thanks to the support of Visitors all posts were filled for the evening.

The Chapter were then provided with an excellent Presentation of parts of the revised ritual, namely the Intermediate Degrees and Second Point including the Collar Jewel and Signs, by the Worcestershire team of the MRCCI accompanied by a commentary from the Inspector General. This was received with acclaim.

Following the conducting of the Third Point the Chapter was closed and the assembled company retired to the Refectory for a very pleasant evening meal.

The Chapter met on Wednesday 1^st May 2024 with some 15 members of the Order present, including the District Recorder.

The Business of the Chapter was to have included a Perfection ceremony and Enthronement but unfortunately the Candidate for Perfection was taken poorly the night before the meeting. The Perfection will now take pride of place on the Agenda at the July meeting.

Meanwhile prior his Enthronement, E&P Bro Richard Noakes 18°, gave a demonstration of the Intermediate Degrees.  The MWS, III\Bro S Cameron 30°, then performed a most impressive Enthronement ceremony, placing E&P Bro Noakes into the Chair. The new MWS then invested and appointed his Officers after which the District Recorder gave the Address to the Princes of the Chapter.

On completion of the remainder of the Business and the Third Point, the MWS closed the Chapter. 

Due to being unable to dine at the centre on this occasion, the members retired to enjoy a very pleasant Curry at a local Indian Restaurant.

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.