The companions and visitors of Semper Fidelis Chapter No 4428 were delighted to have Colin Rowling Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals attending their annual installation at the Palace, St Annes. This, however, was going to be a different kind of installation night.
Accompanying Colin were Past Third Grand Principal Godfrey Hirst, along with acting Provincial grand officers Dave McKee, Brian Horrocks and Glenn O’Brien. Past Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid and grand officers Keith Jackson and Neil MacSymons were already in attendance as chapter officers.
The chapter was opened by Steven Reid with the assistance of his co-principals Neil MacSymons and John Conroy. The guests were given a warm welcome before the normal administrative items were dealt with and a vote taken to elect Mel Blackband as a joining member. Mel hails from Albert Victor Chapter No 2328 in York. Mel was also warmly welcomed by the three principals and took his seat in the chapter. The principal guest and his entourage were then admitted, welcomed and seated and the main business of the meeting ensued.
The next item of business was the important matter of bringing a new member into the Royal Arch. On this occasion it was to be Mike Hornby of St Anne’s Lodge No 2457. Much practice had obviously gone into preparing for this exultation ceremony, which was a complete version of the enhanced version. This included narrators, spotlights in the dark, sharing of the principal’s work as well as sharing of the sojourners duties. Everyone knew their words, so not a book or a prompt sheet in sight. This was traditional Semper Fidelis Chapter work. Those taking part were showing their members and visitors how an exultation ceremony should be done. Their audience were certainly appreciating the spectacle being provided.
The ever-brilliant Steven Reid calmly leading the team, with Neil MacSymons confident and precise and John Conroy, the third principal, pulling out all the stops. It must be mentioned that John had been involved in a Craft installation previously and followed this meeting by conducting an excellent passing ceremony in Fairhaven Lodge No 5076 the following day, so to be able to switch from one type of ceremony to something completely different in 24 hours takes some beating.
The sojourners were just as impressive in the persons of Julian Hale, Tony Smith and Nick Harper. With the Semper Fidelis Lodge No 4428 installation meeting only recently completed, these three companions showed that they too were capable of switching quickly from one working to another. Julian as director of ceremonies and Tony as installing master had been quite busy on that occasion too. These officers were ably supported by Kevin Porter and Steven Carr as the scribes, the latter having to blend his secretarial duties with those of being director of ceremonies on the night.
The installation of the new principals followed and was a fairly simple and straightforward ceremony as each of the candidates had been through all three chairs before, so after each companion had reaffirmed his obligation he was then inducted into the appropriate vestments and chair of his office.
All in all, the meeting was a joy to attend and to witness. A point enthusiastically endorsed by Colin Rowling when bringing the greetings of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews. Colin described the meeting as a great example of a chapter working in ‘unanimity and concord’ and while speaking he walked around the chapter congratulating the working officers individually. Congratulations were also extended to Mike Hornby on joining the chapter by Dave McKee, who ably presented Mike with his welcome pack on behalf of group chairman Ben Gorry.
With the meeting business completed the chapter was closed and the companions retired to the bar for a brief while before taking their places at the dining tables, which had been laid out in the Blue Room and an excellent feast was provided by Lee Monroe and his Masonic Catering Team. The main meal choices on this occasion were a choice between confit of Goosnargh duck leg, or Cumberland sausage swirl, each of which pleased the diners.
Replying to the toast to the grand officers after the meal, Colin assured the companions that he felt proud to have been at the meeting. He went on to thank Keith Jackson for rendering harmony throughout the meeting and thanked the grand and acting Provincial grand officers for their support. In discussing some ‘parish notices’ he thanked John Conroy for the important work he has been doing as group membership officer and the results he was achieving. Colin went on to comment on the professional look of the group web page and thanked group and regional publicity officer Glenn O’ Brien for the work he does and the number of hours he devotes to his task.
Turning to the work in the chapter, Colin described it as superb, adding that he had not seen a better exultation ceremony. He was particularly impressed by the fact that the whole of the ceremony had been delivered from memory and concluded these comments by describing the whole experience as simply the best. Colin also thanked Steven Carr for his correspondence prior to the meeting. He then covered the subjects of charities, particularly the confidential advice line at the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, but also noted the amounts donated to non-Masonic charities with approval. He ended by advising of a joint meeting of West and East Lancashire companions to be held with East Lancashire chapter, Palatine Chapter No 2447, at Warrington Masonic Hall at 5pm on 28 March.
Colin was followed by Steven Reid, who toasted the new principals and this was followed by Godfrey Hirst, who sang the installation song with his customary gusto. Neil MacSymons responded to this toast with a series of thanks to attendees, officers and particularly Colin. He also welcomed Mel Blackband and Mike Hornby as the newest members of the chapter. Mike was also toasted by his proposer, Steven Carr, who spoke of Mike’s dedication and extensive knowledge of Freemasonry, adding that he was looking forward to working with him in the future. In response Mike thanked the members for accepting him and giving him such a memorable exaltation ceremony.
Chapter charity steward, Derek Lewthwaite, organised a raffle which raised £108 and led the toast to Masonic charities and this was shortly followed by John Nicholls who proposed the janitor’s toast.