The companions of City of Lancaster Chapter No 281 were honoured to receive Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews as principal guest at their first installation meeting following the merger of Chapter of Fortitude No 281 and Rowley Chapter No 1051. Bob Skelly, Connor Isted and David Moss were installed as first, second and third principals.
Mark was accompanied by grand officers Peter Mason, Keith Lowson, Neil McGill, Paul Broadley and Gary Rogerson. Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping led the group of acting Provincial grand officers which included Provincial Grand Communications Officer Paul Brunskill, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Halsall, Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar Alistair Davidson, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Peter Littlehales, Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Grand Organist David Tattersall, Provincial Grand Steward Gordon Evans. Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Bryan Cambidge, Lancaster Group Chairman Chris Larder, Lancaster Group Secretary and Provincial Grand Steward Lee Fisher.
The chapter was opened by the three principals and first principal Richard Parker welcomed the companions to the first meeting of the merged chapters. After conducting chapter business Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Halsall announced that Provincial Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews stood without and demanded admission. Mark processed into the chapter room accompanied by grand and acting Provincial grand officers. Mark was offered the first principal’s sceptre which was politely returned. The installation ceremony was conducted by chapter director of ceremonies Steward Aimson. Installing scribe Nehemiah was Malcolm Morrison. The three incoming principals were presented for installation by the director of ceremonies
There were no robe addresses and on completion of the installation ceremony first principal Bob Skelly appointed and invested his officers for the year. The address to the companions was given by Gary Rogerson. Mark addressed the companions of City of Lancaster Chapter and brought his greetings, congratulating the three principals and all those who had taken part in the ceremony. A total of 45 companions dined at the festive board and the toast to the three principals was given by immediate past first principal Richard Parker.
The toast to Provincial grand officers was given by third principal David Moss. Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping responded by thanking David for his kind proposition of the toast to the Provincial grand officers and for coupling his name with it saying: “It is an honour for myself and my acting Provincial grand chapter colleagues, along with all the Provincial grand officers, to be accompanying our Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews at this significant milestone ceremony, marking ‘a new world’ for members of two very old chapters, coming together as the new City of Lancaster Chapter.
Tonight, we have witnessed a delightful ceremony of installation at which the three principals must feel extremely honoured to be installed in those roles for this special year. Well done to all the Chapter of Fortitude officers for a job well done. The Provincial grand officers recognise the serious amount of practice, preparation and rehearsal that goes into events such as this and we congratulate Stewart Aimson for managing it all so very well. Companions, events like this do not just happen and the Provincial grand officers extend their thanks to your scribe Ezra, Anthony Gregg, for his excellent communications with us. Many thanks Anthony.
It is great to see two companions working through the assistant sojourners’ chairs and it up to us all as Provincial grand officers to work with and mentor our newer and more junior companions in our chapters who maybe require support, guidance and inspiration. Let us keep them interested in the extremely colourful vibrant narrative that is a feature of the Royal Arch. Similarly, it is great to see that you have joining members wishing to be part of the new world of the 40 City of Lancaster Chapter companions.
Over the last six months as Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah, I have spoken of everyone being on their own personal Masonic journeys, trying to ‘be the best they can be’. The companions of this City of Lancaster Chapter are, I am sure, looking forward to the days to come and doing everything they can to continue growing this chapter within the Lancaster and District Group over the coming years. The Provincial grand officers wish you all well as you move forward, onwards and upwards, being the best you can be, as we all continue to weave the Craft and Royal Arch into ‘one seamless journey’.
It has become a bit of a trend over my recent responses to toast five to refer to a thoughtful quote usually from a famous Freemason, which I think tonight should be focused around my earlier mention of the new world for the companions and future companions of this exciting new City of Lancaster Chapter. Who do you think said ‘Tomorrow hopes that we have learned something from yesterday’. I think ‘tomorrow’ is the most important thing. It comes to us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and puts itself in our hands. John Wayne, Freemason.
Let us hope that we all continue to learn from our yesterdays and that we all move forwards in our Masonry, onwards and upwards. Let us keep the memories in our heads and the future in our hands. Thank you very much, David, for the extremely kind toast to the Provincial grand officers and to you all for your patience in listening to my brief response.”
First principal Bob Skelly was initiated into Ennerdale Lodge No 4216 which meets at Wath Brow Cleator in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland on 19 June 1963 along with Tom Baines. It is 50 years ago, but he remembers the chaplain stuttering through the prayers but later found that although Tommy Toole had a bad stammer, he was a wonderful singer and entertained at many lodge evenings. Provincial Grand Master George Albert Marley was a member of the lodge along with his brother Albert, who used to sing ‘Simon the Cellarman’ rather appropriate as they owned Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth.
Bob progressed up the steward’s list but stepped down due to working and living in Lancashire, the 160-mile round trip proving a bit much with a young family. He was a regular visitor to John O’Gaunt Lodge No 3815 and the Lodge of Fortitude No 281. Many members of both these lodges accompanied him on the night of the October installation to Ennerdale Lodge, returning in the early hours and leaving about one in the morning having to travel through the lakes. Tom Rowley was one of them and became Bob’s Masonic father in this group, steering him in the direction of the new lodge being formed at Carnforth, Warton Lodge No 8411. Sadly, by the time Bob approached the lodge, the warrant had been granted and he was unable to be a founder.
Bob was proposed on the day of consecration by senior warden Major Tom Hulme, seconded by WM Stewart Hawken and was accepted as a member on the first regular meeting in May 1972. Bob progressed up the ladder becoming master in 1980 and he installed his successor, Hadwin Shooter, in 1981 in the presence of the new Provincial Grand Master Alan Fletcher Ferris.
Bob served as lodge secretary from 1983 to 1984, assistant director of ceremonies from 1985 to 1986, director
of ceremonies from 1987 to 1990, assistant director of ceremonies from 1992 to 1994, assistant director of ceremonies from 2008 to 2009, 1998 festival representative from 1992 to 1998 and group representative from 1997 to 2003. Bob was also the founding secretary of the West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society under chairman Frank Cowburn and vice chairman Tom Blackburn and a founder member of the West Lancashire Masonic Caravan Club.
In May 1987 Bob was appointed to the acting Provincial grand rank of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and in October 1992 he was promoted to Past Provincial grand Superintendent of Works. He was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2000.
Bob joined Royal Arch Chapter of Fortitude in April 1988 and was first principal in 1993 and 2008, scribe Ezra from 1995 to 2007, janitor from 2009 to date and now first principal of City of Lancaster Chapter in 2026. He was appointed Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2001 and promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2007.