The chapter loved by all, in part being due to the name, Sure and Stedfast Chapter of Temperance and Felicity No 9326 held its installation ceremony at Liverpool Masonic Hall. The chapter had celebrated its centenary on 28 November 2019 with invited friends.
Now numbered as 9326, the charter was issued in 1919 with the chapter renumbered and renamed in 2021 by Supreme Grand Chapter, due to the then regulation that all chapters had to be associated to a lodge. This was removed very shortly after and now Chapters can work independently.
First principal John Bruffell welcomed to the chapter the principal guest, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ian Sanderson accompanied by the Provincial 1st Assistant Grand Sojourner Carl Futter and the Liverpool Group Chairman David Johnson. Following the official procedure, joining member Mel Hughes was accepted as a subscribing companion and took his place within the room.
The ceremony of installation was performed effortlessly and ran like clockwork following the guidelines laid down for posterity by the late and much-lamented director of ceremonies James (Jim) Kontzle. Dave Crowley proclaimed John Bruffell as first principal, Christopher Bruffell as second principal, with Ray Parkins as third principal. The other officers being Joe Edwards as scribe Nehemiah, Dave Crowley as scribe Ezra, Graham Edwards as treasurer, Mel Hughes as principal sojourner with Mike Worthington and Mark Rawsthorn as assistant sojourners and Geoff Cuthill as janitor. The chapter received another application for membership which was proposed and seconded, with another on the way, all thanks to the retention and recruitment drive of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews within the Province.
Following the installation, the festive board was again very similar to the meeting beforehand, one of pure enjoyment with all being relaxed in company they knew so well. The meal reflected the chapter, consisting of traditional good honest wholesome fayre, starting with a pea and ham soup, fish, chips and peas served with bread and butter and a mild curry sauce, or tartare if preferred. The dessert was sponge pudding with hot custard.
As stated, the evening was very amicable and Ian Sanderson explained what was happening within Royal Arch, and the pleasing response already from the recent talk given on the Royal Arch and increasing membership held in Liverpool by Mark Matthews. After the toasts and responses, the excellent evening drew to a close with Geoff Cuthill delivering the traditional janitor’s toast, after which the room was filled by the singing of the traditional Boys Brigade vespa accompanying the piano virtuoso of Mark Rawsthorn.