Category: News

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.

District Diary Edition 17 Christmas 2003

A Rose Croix Feast at Oldswinford Chapter

A momentoue meeting of the Chapter took place on Thursday 7^th December when the Chapter welcomed the IG Designate together with the. Grand Treasurer General H.E. M. Ill. Bro. Gareth Jones, OBE 33^o and a Past IG of the District, V. Ill. Bro. Dr. Richard N Hoare,33^o.    

The agenda saw ballots for a Joinijng member and for a Candidate for Perfection W. Bro. A.Jaspar. Both proved clear and there  followed an excellent Perfection ceremony.

 At the 1^st Risings the Grand Treasurer General gave a short presentation on the changes being made to our Order to become effective on 1^st March 2024. He then took questions before he conducted the Third Point. After the meeting closed he continued to answer private queries raised independently by members, which he continued to do at the Dinner Table, before concluding with a final response to the Toast to  The Supreme Council, 33^o

 There is no doubt that the GTG’s presence and his open and forthroight manner provided an excellent explanation of the forward development of our Order and his attendance added significant added value to what was a first class evening of Rose Croix nasonry.

Superb Saints Day Celebration

On our Order’s Saints Day, St. Andrews Day, Thursday 30th November, the Inspector General Designate in Charge, in company with the District Recorder and Ill. Bro. Maurice Hume, 32^o visited our Districts Nonogenarian, Ill. Bro. Allan Laidlaw, 32^o to present Allan with his 50 Years of Service Certificate to the Ancient and Accpeted Rite, at his Residential Care Home, Fernhill House.

Ill. Bro’s Allan and Maurice were Founders of St. Theodore Chapter No. 887 and formerly, and since that Chapter’s Closure, returned to their original Chapter, St. Ann of Malvern, No. 606. the Cahpter in which Allan was Perfected.

Ill Bro’s Allan and Maurice were also responsible, with the guidance and assistance of the Past Inspector General, V, Ill, Bro, Dr, Richard N, Hoare,33^o, in producing the MWS Banners for St. Dunstan and St. Theodore Chapters and with the Districts help then dedicated at a special ceremony conducted by the then Grand Prelate, Revd.Dr. John Railton,33^o 

It was an excellent afternoon where the Care Home staff could not have been more helpful.

Recent Chapter Evente within the District

Their have been 3 Chapters Meetinbg in the last few weeks.

1. St Dunstan Chapter – Held a Regular Meeting on Wednesday 25th October at Rainbow Hill with some 19 members of the Order in attendance.

After Opening the Chapter the District Recorder gave a Eulogy in respect of Ill. Bro. W. A. B. Sherlock, 32^o who had only recently become a member of the Chapter and due to ill health had not had the opportunity to attend a meeting.

2. Halesowen Chapter – On Monday 6th Novemeber the Chapter held their Enthronement Meeting which saw Ill. Bro. Godfrey Harper, 31^o once again Enthroned into a Rose Croix Chapter Chair. The ceremony was well conducted and the support given by members of St. Edmund Kind and Martyr Chaper ensured that all offices were filled.

Following the Third point the brethren retired to enjoy a very convivial meal.

3. St. Edmund KIng & Martyr Chapter – On Tuesday 14th November the Chapter were pleased to welcome the former District Recorder, Ill. Bro. Ian Fothergill, 32^o  in his new position as Inspector General Designate in Charge to witness the Enthronement of Ill. Bro. Paul Woodward, 30^o once into the Chair of the Chapter. Ill. Bro. Paul has shown true grit and determination in taking on this task for another year given his medical condition but his determination has enthused the members of the Chapter to give hi, their whole hearted support. 

Once again the inter-visitation that takes place between Halesowen and St. Ed’s ensured that every Office was filled and assisted in ensuring that avery good ceremony could take place.

On completion of the Third Point the brethren retired to enjoy a very good dinner which brought to an end an excellent evening of Rose Croix Masonry.

New News Item

Brethren all,

May I please request that the members of the Order in the District of Worcestershire use my E Mail address for communication known to you all in regard to comments, rather than the Guestbook, following the announcement from Supreme Council 33^o issued on Friday 10th November and the Letter of Resignation from our Inspector General sent out today and dated 11th November.

Arrangements are being made to hold a further meeting following last night’s Zoom to fully explain What and Why changes to our membership requirements and ritoal are being introduced. Ian M Fothergill, 31^o,District Recorder, Worcestershire

Exceptional Event at Evesham Chapter No. 994

On Thursday 19th October some 29 members of the Order met at Swan Lane, Evesham to celebrate their 100th Meeting.

They were delighted to welcome one of their Founders, Ill. Bro. Malcolm Wilson, 30^o and one of their Honorary Members, V:.Bro. Dr. Richard N Hoarem 33^o the Past Inspector General for the District,

The meeting then witnessed the Perfection of Bro. Trevor McMillan, which was conducted to a very high standard, on completion of which the District Recorder presented a Enthronement Certificate to E&P Bro. Stan Brotherton, 18^o the MWS.

On completion of the Third Point and closure of the Chapter the brethren retired to enjoy a very well presented, enjoyable and convivial meal to conclude an excellent evening of Rose Croix Freemasonry.