Chapter News

THE NEXT TEAM

The Grand Superintendent, Richard Anderson, has been pleased to announce the following senior active appointments which will become effective from the Annual Convocation on Saturday 27th September 2008:

John Ridgill Trout  Second Provincial Grand Principal

Philip Stewart     Third Provincial Grand Principal

Dennis Stubley     Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals

Stuart Dick       Provincial Grand Scribe N

Peter Michael Mawer  Provincial Grand Registrar

Why not come along to the Voltigeur Suite at York Racecourse on the Knavesmire to see them invested.

Certificate of Service to Royal Arch Masonry

With a Provincial Team of 22 Companions supporting him, the ME Grand Superintendent visited Denison Chapter No 1248 in Scarborough on Friday 11th April 2008.

After the well rehearsed Exaltation of David Brocklesby, the MEGS invited the Provincial Assistant Scribe E, Andrew Lowthorpe, to read the citation; this covered many facets of the life of the recipient Billy Hughes, over the last 90 years. Companion Hughes, who had acted as one of the Sojourners in the earlier exaltation, was then presented to the MEGS who add a few personal words of appreciation for his many commitments to Lodges and Chapters that meet in Scarborough, before presenting him with a framed Certificate of Service to extended applause

The picture shows the Chapter Principals and the MEGS with Comp Billy Hughes

THANK YOU KING EDWIN CHAPTER

The Provincial Grand Stewards' Chapter, which now meets at the Masonic Hall in Malton, was pleased to be able to present a new set of Robes to King Edwin Chapter at its Installation Meeting on 4th March 2008 in the presence of Richard Anderson, the Grand Superintendent. The gift recognised the gratitude of the PGSC for its use of the Masonic Hall and the regalia of King Edwin Chapter. The three Principals of PGSC delivered the Addresses to the Robes, with each of them using a different form of ritual as used in their mother Chapters

“And a Jolly good time was had by all.”

The above photo shows the Newly Installed ME Grand Superintendent Richard John Anderson, greeting ME Comp Iain Ross Bryce at the Luncheon following the Installing Ceremony.

Also pictured on the left of the Grand Supt is E Comp John Hale who acted as Installing H, and stood behind is E Comp Jonathan Spence the GDC.

On September 29th 2007, The RW Provincial Grand Master Richard John Anderson was installed as the ME Grand Superintendent for the Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings.

The ceremony took at the Voltigeur Suite, at York Racecourse, followed by the Annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter.

The Installing Officer was ME Comp Iain Ross Bryce TD DL, accompanied by E Comp John Hale ( G Supt of Cumberland and Westmoreland ) as Acting Second Grand Principal and E Comp John Clayton (G Supt of Yorkshire West Riding) as Acting Third Grand Principal.

Also present were E Comp Jonathan Spence the Grand DC and E Comp’s Stephen Blank and James Long as Dep GDC - and E Comp Raymond Horton as the Grand Janitor.

E Comp Alan Hall ( Scribe E of the Province of Durham) was the Acting G ScE.

Over 450 Companions witnessed the Ceremony, followed by a Luncheon held in the Ebor Suite at the Racecourse.

At the Luncheon following this Special Meeting the ME Grand Superintendent presented to all of the party from SGC, and to the Acting G Scribe E, a pair of Cuff Links displaying the Arms of the Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings.

As part of the Installation Ceremony the Newly Installed ME Grand Supt, appointed as his Deputy E Comp Alan Brundall, as Second Provincial Grand Principal David Harold William Scott and E Comp Bruce Harrison as the Third Provincial Grand Principal.

During the Annual Investiture the ME Grand Supt Re-appointed as the Asst to the Prov G Prin. E Comp Phil Stewart – Debrus Chapter No 4244 - and as Prov G ScE E Comp Brian Baker – Wyke Millenium Chapter No 9696.

E Comp Ian Robson was appointed Prov G ScN – Ferrum Chapter No 1848- and E Comp Colin Breeze – Burlington Chapter No 3975 - as the Prov G Reg.

Details of all of the Appointments and Promotions will appear in the forthcoming Provincial Year Book due out in December.

Address of our new Grand Superintendent on 29 September 2007

Firstly, it is a delight to see so many of you here this morning. With my appointment having been announced only a few weeks ago, and in the summer recess, there will be Companions in some Chapters who do not yet know that they have a new Grand Superintendent. The fact that we have nearly a full house is entirely due to the wonders of the electronic age and the use of email between the centre and the Scribe Es and then between them and the Companions. If only we could communicate with everyone in this manner, but that is a dream for the future.

I then want to extend a warm welcome to all our visitors today and to couple with that welcome an enormous thank you to so many for their contribution to today’s event. In particular I refer to the team from Supreme Grand Chapter lead by our own Comp Iain Ross Bryce, Past Second Grand Principal. (applause). He and his minders, the Grand Director of Ceremonies together with the two Deputies, with support at short notice from Alan Hall as Acting Grand Scribe E and the Grand Tyler, conducted a splendid and colourful ceremony with typical Grand Chapter skill, precision and panache. Thank you to all the Companions of that team for travelling so far and giving up much of your weekend for us (applause).

Likewise, a sincere welcome to our many Distinguished Guests from this and other Provinces, both from the Craft and other Orders. I am not going to name them all, indeed I am not even going to summarise, but I would give a special mention to the neighbouring Grand Superintendents. They are:

 Comp John Hale from Cumberland and Westmorland

 Comp John Clayton form Yorkshire West Riding

 and

 Comp Derek Richmond from Durham

I regret to advise that Comp Derek Scarborough from Lincolnshire had to cancel yesterday due to health problems

One Companion who is missing today, after some 18 years in active Chapter Provincial Office, is my predecessor Donald Davinson. I wish to pay tribute to his unstinting contribution and commitment to so many facets of life as an active Freemason. There are few of us in this room from Yorkshire North and East this morning who have not benefited from his wise counsel or been considered, on his recommendation, for some active role within the Province. Companions, he will be sorely missed (applause).

This huge contribution was formally recognised at the Chapter Dinner in March of this year with a presentation and I have made it clear to Donald that I do not wish him to be invisible as Past Grand Superintendent. I have invited him to feel free to participate in all our Royal Arch activities and to visit any of our Chapters where and whenever he wishes.

Events like this do not just happen, and I am indebted to two Companions in particular. The Deputy Grand Superintendent Alan Brundall who has quietly, but effectively, been in charge and has lead the extensive team of DCs and Stewards who have worked hard to prepare, in recess, for today - thank you Alan (applause). The other Companion is a workhorse with true dedication, the Provincial Grand Scribe E, Brian Baker who has taken on every task given to him, including all the communications with Grand Chapter and delivered everything in the right place and at the right time despite lots of peoples’ efforts to distract him and he can still smile (or is it now a grimace?). Thank you Brian (applause).

Allow me to congratulate all those whom I have invested or promoted today. Provincial Honours are not a right, they have to be earned and I hope that you will all wear your new regalia with pride, but remember we will be judged by the example you set and the quality of the guidance that you give to the Companions.

In the Spring, one of last year’s appointees had an accident while skiing and was extensively injured. After weeks in intensive care abroad he was brought home, and I am delighted to tell you he is here with us. Companions, please welcome Graham Miles.

If I have a strategy, it could be summed up in a word “Together”. I believe that the established relationship between Craft and Chapter is special and unique and benefits both parties. Despite the efforts of the recent working party, I believe THAT relationship is the most powerful weapon available to the Royal Arch. I intend, as the head of both Orders, to bring the two even closer together. I also want to involve more Companions in the development of Provincial Grand Chapter and intend to have regular meetings of an enhanced Chapter General Purposes Committee, to discuss, debate and action new ideas and developments, to raise the profile of the Royal Arch so that every Craft Mason wants to be exalted and thus complete his journey from the North East corner.

I will finish with a few words from the Royal Arch Charge

Companions, as members of this Supreme Degree we strictly enjoin you to be good to all and that by diligence and fidelity in the duties of your respective vocations, by liberal beneficence and diffusive charity, by constancy and sincerity in your friendships and by your uniformly kind, just amiable and virtuous deportment, prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of our ancient and honourable institution. Finally Companions, be all of one mind; live in peace; and may the God of Love and Peace delight to dwell within you and bless you for ever more.

Thank you.

"E Comp Alan Brundall, PGSwdB Deputy Grand Superintendent in Charge.

Following the recent retirement of E Comp Donald Davinson as the ME Grand Superintendent of this Province - on his 75th Birthday in July - his Deputy E Comp Alan Brundall PGSwdB became the Deputy Grand Superintendent in Charge.

Accordingly, the Chapter Toast List has been amended and until the Installation of the New Grand Superintendent, Toast Number 4 will not be given, and Toast Number 5 has been amended in light of the new appointment.

E Comp Brundall was appointed Deputy Grand Superintendent in 2002, by E CompDonald Davinson, previously to which he was 2nd Provincial Grand Principal from 1998 - 2002, appointed by His Honour Judge Gerald Coles.

His first Provincial Appointment was as 3rd Provincial Grand Principal, appointed by E Comp John Raylor in 1994.

The Installation of E Comp Richard J Anderson PDepGSwdB will take place on the 29th September 2007, and until that date E Comp Brundall will be responsible for the day to day running of Provincial Chapter. His prime task however will be to arrange the forthcoming Installation and Annual Convocation.

E Comp Richard Anderson has confirmed that he wishes E Comp Brundall to continue as his Deputy - which means that he will have served under 4 Grand Superintendents in this Province."

A NEW LEADER FOR THE ROYAL ARCH

As a result of the forthcoming retirement of Donald Davinson, the First Grand Principal, HRH The Duke of Kent has appointed Richard John Anderson to the office of Grand Superintendent in and over Yorkshire, North and East Ridings with effect from 21st July 2007.

The date and time of the Grand Superintendent’s Installation has yet to be formally advised. However, it is anticipated that it will take place in the Voltigeur Suite, York Racecourse on Saturday 29th September 2007 in conjunction with the Annual Convocation and lunch.

A revised Summons will be circulated to all Royal Arch masons in due course. Those intending to apply for a Luncheon Ticket may do so using the Application Form which forms part of the Summons for the Annual Convocation. Further supplies of this Form may be obtained from the Provincial Office on request.

COMPANIONS MAY NOW ATTEND SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER MEETINGS

The ME First Grand Principal has decided that in future any Companion in good standing in an English Constitution Chapter may attend Convocations of Supreme Grand Chapter, unless on any occasion the Committee of General Purposes decides that there is a specific reason for attendance to be restricted to Installed Principals.

Companions attending who are not members of Grand Chapter will be accommodated in the balconies of the Grand Temple.