Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire><br /> <h1 class=The Past Provincial Grand Master
ADDRESS TO THE PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER
16 MARCH 2006

Companions, this is my first opportunity to Address you at our Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter. Time passes so quickly and it is difficult for me to grasp that in 8 weeks time, I will have led this wonderful Province of ours for a whole year. As you can imagine, over the last year much has been going on in this colourful Order of ours. My background in Freemasonry had been formed very much in the Craft and whilst I have been a Royal Arch Mason for over 30 years, and loved every minute of it, my experience was limited. I have therefore, very much appreciated the wise council that I have received from all sections of the Order and I do thank them all for their valued contribution, especially the pulling together of experienced Masons who have a real love and affection for the Royal Arch.

The relationship with the Craft is so important and perhaps that is why East Lancashire has an unbroken tradition that the Provincial Grand Master in the Craft also leads the Royal Arch as Grand Superintendent. We must continue to encourage similarly minded Brethren who are not Royal Arch Masons to sample life amongst Companions and equally encourage Companions to retain their membership. To create an environment to allow this to happen, my senior Team are recommending to Chapters that on occasions they hold a social board to which their Craft friends are invited. We must continue to remind enquiring Craft Freemasons that the journey in Ancient Freemasonry has not been completed until you are exalted in to a Royal Arch Chapter. I know I am speaking to the converted here today, but do please in your Lodges continue to re-emphasise that indissoluble link between the Craft and the Royal Arch.

And now Companions, a word about the changes to our Ritual. As you know we have consulted the Chapters and I have established a Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of Companion Allan Bennion , the 2 nd Provincial Grand Principal. Their work in rewriting our Royal Arch Ritual Book is nearing completion. This will embody those changes promulgated in Supreme Grand Chapter plus useful guidance to Chapters when dealing with potential procedural problems. The Royal Arch demonstration team ably led by Companion Ian Hancox, have given demonstrations across the Province and they have been well received.

A number of successful joint convocations have been held throughout the Province involving enthusiastic groups of Companions who have given presentations ranging from notable characters from the annals of Freemasonry to well tested lectures on a specific topic. My Deputy, my Co Principals and all six Assistants attend each of these special meetings and there is active support from so many Companions to create a special experience for all that attend.

As an integral part of this whole process, Companions have invited Brethren who are not Royal Arch Masons to join with them at the Social Board, when the Royal Arch message is being delivered, and the Companions have spent the evening in gentle conversation with the Brethren and their hosts. This format will be repeated over the next year in and around the Province.

The Royal Arch needs to be seen as an Order with strong historical links, strong moral links, strong member participation and strong Companionship. Our impressive Royal Arch Ceremonies enacted within the framework of colourful banners and regalia, and if I may say so, none more colourful that today's Ceremony, led by our Director of Ceremonies and his Team – provide us with a meaningful and long lasting experience. Today also gives many of you the opportunity to support your close friends who are being Appointed or Promoted in the Order – supported also of course by our colleagues from other Provinces. Very special and so much to celebrate.

From an organisational stand-point, I am pleased to report that the joint approach and relationship being established between the APGPs and District Chairmen in the Craft is excellent. The importance of these inter-relationships within the District organisation is vital to the overall message of trust and support. The Assistant's to the three Grand Principals are now attending all District and Area meetings as well as accompanying the APGMs at all major events that he attends in his area. Companions, we are trying to present a united front – a holistic approach – a demonstration that the Craft and the Royal Arch are linked indissolubly.

The District Officers Royal Arch (DORAs to you and me), continue to perform their important role as the interface between the Lodges and the Chapters within their Districts. We are intending to produce a power point presentation to be delivered within Lodges, an ideal opportunity, especially if there is no work on the Lodge agenda.

The DORA continues to provide a vital support for the Lodge Royal Arch Representative in each Lodge and Companions, and here I must make a plea for your assistance. In some Lodge's this job tends to be given to Brethren who do not really want it. In fact it was reported to me that one Brother in a Lodge who was the Royal Arch Representative was not actually a member of the Royal Arch. Companions, you are all members of Craft Lodges and by your presence here today, demonstrate your enthusiasm for this lovely Order. Do ensure that your Lodge has an active Royal Arch Representative – someone who will actively approach Brethren and talk enthusiastically about the Royal Arch experience.

Another major issue that we need to face up to is to restructure our Province around a smaller number of stronger Chapters. The issue is identical to the Craft – we have learnt much about this process over the last 5 years in the Craft, and now we must bring that experience to the Royal Arch. In a few weeks time we will have our first Chapter amalgamation of 4 Chapters in Manchester . There is another Chapter amalgamation in the pipeline, and we have a further 26 Chapters who are at some stage of closing down or amalgamating.

Instead of closing, I do recommend amalgamation, which in general has worked well in the Craft. Many things that we hold dear like the Warrant, the Banners, the Chapter artefacts can, in an amalgamated Chapter, be passed on at each Installation from the First Principal to his successor – a priceless and essential part of our history and culture continues.

Companions, I am now nearing the end of what I have to say to you, and must place on record my grateful thanks to those faithful Companions who are moving to pastures new. Companion Derek Thornhill as both an Assistant to the three Provincial Grand Principals and a former District Chairman has worked tirelessly for the Royal Arch. On April 10 in his own Lodge, Cathedral Lodge in Blackburn , I shall invest him as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft. Thanks also to Companion Roy Cunliffe whose time has come to retire as a DORA. Another DORA Companion, Paul Yates will today become the Provincial Grand Organist in the Royal Arch, a post he already holds in the Craft – my thanks for his work as a DORA and we can now look forward to his musical contribution. We welcome Companion Rodney Birchall and Companion Ian Lord as new DORAs, the latter will be well known to many of you as a former Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Last, but by no means least, the three new Assistant's appointed at last years Annual Meeting have had to undertake a fairly steep learning curve, but have swiftly melded in to our Team, and I renew my welcome to Companion Neil Pickup who will undoubtedly contribute much in the valleys at our Northern perimeter. His IT skills, in addition to his commitment and experience as a DORA, will add value to our work of furthering interest in this Order.

To all my Senior Team, so ably led by my Deputy Grand Superintendent, I extend my sincere and grateful thanks. I could not possibly lead this Province without each one of you.

Finally Companions, I do want to express my sincere thanks for the tremendous support given by all concerned in making today's event so successful – not least the Provincial Grand Scribe E and the Provincial Director of Ceremonies and their Teams – and, of course, to you all for spending your very valuable time at this Our Annual Meeting.

Companions all, I do thank you.

EComp Paul JE Rink, OBE
ME Grand Superintendent
16th March 2006