Provincial Grand Chapter of East Lancashire |
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ROYAL ARCH NEWS
50th Anniversary Celebration of EComp Reginald Holt O'Rourke PProvGScN
On 7 th December 2007 the Companions of St George's Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 1723 celebrated EComp Reginald Holt O'Rourke 50 years in the Chapter.
The Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals EComp Trevor Thomas PGStdB was in attendance along with a District Deputation.
The Chapter was opened by the First Principal EComp Stuart G Marlor who was himself exalted into the Chapter by EComp O'Rourke some years previously, assisted by the Second and Third Principals.
The Companions received the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals EComp Trevor Thomas and the District Deputation which included EComp Philip Mountford, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Bolton and Bury areas, the Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master EComp Derek Walsh, Past Grand Companions and a number of Bolton District Officers. EComp Stuart Marlor invited EComp Thomas to occupy the First Principal's Chair for the celebration.
EComp Harry Hodson PProvGSoj paid a moving tribute to EComp O'Rourke during which he talked about his own friendship with Reginald and his Royal Arch career.
EComp Trevor Thomas then presented EComp O'Rourke with an illuminated certificate from the Provincial Grand Superintendent after which the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies conducted EComp O'Rourke around the Chapter to receive the accolade of the Companions.
At the Festive Board a toast was proposed to EComp O'Rourke by EComp Keith Doyle a Past First Principal of the Chapter, and District Officer Royal Arch. EComp Doyle revealed that whilst EComp O'Rourke had worked as a Logistics Manager at Edbros Engineers he had in fact also trained and worked in the army as a dental technician.
In his response to his toast, EComp O'Rourke paid an emotional tribute to his wife and her dedication and support for his Masonic career over very many years, always making sure he appeared at his Lodge and Chapter immaculately dressed.
EComp Trevor Thomas brought the celebration to a close with the presentation of an inscribed watch from the Companions of the Chapter.
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60th Anniversary Celebration of Derek Livesey PAG Soj
On 19th October 2007 the Companions of Goulburn Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 3478 celebrated EComp Derek Livesey's 60 years in the Chapter.
The Second Provincial Grand Principal E.Comp Allan Bennion and Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals EComp Trevor Thomas were in attendance along with a Provincial Deputation.
EComp Jack Kay paid tribute to EComp Livesey and EComp Allan Bennion presented him with a Illuminated Certificate from Provincial Grand Chapter.
EComp Livesey was exalted into Goulburn Chapter on 17 th October 1947 and became First Principal on 15 th May 1964. During his year in office he exalted 6 new companions which included two of the current members of the Chapter.
On 17 th October 1997 he celebrated 50 years service to Goulburn Chapter.
His Royal Arch activities have extended beyond Goulburn. He was instrumental in the formation and subsequent welfare of the daughter Chapter Turton No 6232.
EComp Derek Livesey is a dedicated family man, husband to Hilda and proud father of two sons, Nigel and Barry. He has three grandsons.
In his outside interests he has been a dinghy sailing enthusiast and an active caravaner. He has been a member of the National Caravan Club for over 50 years and was recently invited to a garden party hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace . Regrettably ill health in the family meant he was unable to attend.
Congratulations Derek, a wonderful achievement.
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Eight years before the Battle of Trafalgar!
On the 5th March 1807 the Royal Arch Lodge of Good Intent or the Chapter of Unity 137 was consecrated and for the first meeting 10 Companions and 20 guests met in a room lit by candlelight.
200 years later on the 4th October 2007 members of the Unity Chapter 298 (re-numbered in 1863) and their guests celebrated the bi-centenary of the Chapter in the magnificent and opulent settings of the main lodge room at the Rochdale Masonic buildings.
The Chapter was duly opened and the Scribe Ezra EComp Nigel Love read the Dispensation. The M E Grand Superintendent for the Province of East Lancashire, EComp Paul J E Rink OBE together with a Provincial Delegation was admitted to the Chapter.
The Most Excellent the Third Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England the Very Reverend Neil Collings, the Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk together with a Grand Officer delegation was then admitted to the Chapter.
EComp Nigel Love Scribe E gave a précis of the history of the Chapter. The Acting Grand Scribe E, EComp H Alan J Garnett then read the Bi-centenary Charter. The Most Excellent the Third Grand Principal then presented the Charter to the Chapter which was received by MEZ EComp Eric J Kirkbride.
The Most Excellent the Third Provincial Grand Principal EComp the Rev'd Donald Pryce then delivered a moving and sincere Oration.
The MEZ, EComp Eric J Kirkbride then presented a cheque for £2,980 to ELMC which was graciously received by the ME Grand Superintendent for East Lancashire . Alms were then collected.
The “Babies” of the Chapter, father and son Comps George and James Caygill then presented bound copies of the history of the Chapter to the ME Third Grand Principal, the ME Grand Superintendent, the Deputy Grand Superintendent, the acting Grand Scribe E and the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies.
At this point the Grand Superintendent made it known that it was his prerogative to promote a member of the Chapter on this occasion. To the applause of the companions he announced the EComp Nigel Love was to be promoted to the rank of PProv.Grand Sojourner. Filled with emotion EComp Love was invested with the jewel and escorted around the Chapter acclaimed by all present. The Chapter was then closed in due form.
At the reception in the dining room the ME Third Grand Principal and the ME Grand Superintendent circulated amongst the companions before the banquet.
And what a banquet it was, the main mouth-watering course of braised Aberdeen Angus steak said it all.
The toasts to the Queen the Duke of Lancaster, The Most Excellent the First Grand Principal HRH The Duke of Kent, The Most Excellent the Pro First Grand Principal the Marquess of Northampton and the rest of the Grand Officers were given by The MEZ EComp Eric J Kirkbride.
The reply to the toast by the ME the Third Grand Principal was eloquent, witty and humorous and had the companions laughing throughout.
The MEZ then gave the toast to The ME the Grand Superintendent for East Lancashire .
The reply by the ME the Grand Superintendent was again eloquent and witty, and in finishing he said it was good to back at the reins, after which he proposed a toast to the Principals and Companions of Unity Chapter 298.
The MEZ EComp Eric J Kirkbride's response was indeed a delight to witness, he commented that he had waited 26 years for this moment, a moment which he would remember as would the companions of Unity Chapter, with immense pride.
The celebrations being ended the evening was brought to its conclusion by the Janitor's toast which was given by EComp Keith Walker.
Another excellent night of memories in Rochdale .
Deputy Superintendent visits Cana Chapter at Colne
The members of Cana Chapter were honoured by the presence of E.Comp Jack Price, Deputy Grand Superintendent, together with E.Comp Neil Pickup, APGP and E.Comp Alan Garnett, ProvScE at their regular convocation on Thursday 27 th September 2007.
The visitors and members were entertained by a lecture, written and presented by E.Comp David Biggs, PProvGSoj, IPZ, on Cana Chapter's pre-Union “Fourth Degree” Tracing Board which was rediscovered in 2003 during refurbishment work in the cellars of Colne Masonic Hall.
r the0 guests met
in a room lit by candlelight.
200 years later on the 4th October 2007, members of the U
Picture shows (from L to R): E.Comp Jack Price, Deputy Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Ian Dewar, MEZ, and E.Comp David Biggs PProvGSoj, IPZ with the Cana Chapter Tracing Board.
After the meeting, E.Comp Jack Price presented the MEZ, E.Comp Ian Dewar with a set of three prints showing the Cana Chapter Principals' regalia which were donated to the Province in 1937 and are now on display in the Museum at Bridge Street.
Picture shows (from L to R): E.Comp Alan Garnett, ProvScE., E.Comp Jack Price, Deputy Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Ian Dewar, MEZ, and E.Comp Neil Pickup, APGP.
Cana Chapter (originally “Cana Lodge or Chapter of the First Miracle”) holds one of the first two warrants ever issued by the then newly erected Grand Chapter of the ‘Moderns', dated 12 th May 1769.
The Lodge of Bethlehem or Chapter of the Nativity in Burnley holds the other warrant issued on the same date, giving Cana and Nativity the proud distinction of being jointly the oldest warranted Chapters in the world.
Cana Chapter also possesses what are thought to be the only extant copy of the first Royal Arch Regulations, termed ‘Principia'.
Anyone wishing to hear more about the Cana Tracing Board is invited to contact David Biggs on 01282 441170, or by email at davidjbiggs@vodafone.net
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Bonus at Loyal Todmorden Chapter 219
When the Deputy Grand Superintendent E.Comp Jack Price attended the Amalgamation of the Chapter of Justice 219 and Loyal Todmorden Chapter 288 in November 2006 time did not permit him to hear a paper prepared by E.Comp David Dawson. He therefore promised to return to their September Convocation and on 4 September 2007 he had the opportunity to hear E.Comp Dawson present his paper entitled “John Crossley Esq of Scaitcliffe first PGM of East Lancashire”. This paper was based upon documents discovered in the Todmorden Masonic Hall and researched by E.Comp Dawson .
An added bonus, however, was the Exaltation of Bro Michael G.Connolly of the Lodge of Prudence 219. The ceremony was exemplary and its delivery by the First Principal, E.Comp Jim Allonby and the Principal Sojourner, Comp John M Cockcroft was described by those who heard it as truly “inspirational”. What made this perhaps even more remarkable was that E.Comp Allonby is now in his 89th year.
At the festive board, E.Comp Price inscribed and presented newly Exalted Companion Connolly with a book on Freemasonry, a gift from E.Comp David Dawson.
From left to right: E.Comp James Sutcliffe APGM, E.Comp Allan Bennion , 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, E.Comp Jack Price, Deputy Grand Superintendent, Companion Michael Connolly, E.Comp Rev.Donald Pryce, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, E.Comp Neil Pickup APGP and E.Comp Wes Marchant Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
Royal Arch MEZ's Garden Party Rochdale and Oldham Districts
For each of the last two years, APGP Peter Messum and his wife Dorothy have held a Garden Party at their home in Broadhalgh, Rochdale, for those Companions, who had been in Installed in the First Principal's Chair of their Rochdale and Oldham District Chapters during the previous year, together with their ladies. On Sunday 8th July, 30 Companions and their ladies enjoyed a splendid buffet lunch provided by Peter and Dorothy; the weather was fine and warm and everyone was enjoying the good company, good food and good wine when English weather intervened and everyone had to retire indoors to escape from the inevitable deluge, but where we all continued to chat and enjoy ourselves with undiminished pleasure in the ample surroundings.
E.Comp Jack Price, Deputy Grand Superintendent accompanied by his wife and the 2nd and 3rd Prov Grand Principals E.Comps Allan Bennion and The Rev Donald Pryce each with their wives joined the District Officer RA, E.Comp Alex Mclaren and his wife and the Companions and their ladies at this pleasant and informal occasion, which enabled Companions from both Districts to join together, meet and chat in relaxed surroundings whilst enjoying a super buffet lunch.
A good time was had by all who attended.