New principals were installed at Chapter of Fortitude No 281 installation convocation. Richard Parker was installed as first principal and Conor Isted was installed as second principal. Unfortunately, Paul Dent was unable to attend and will be installed as third principal at a later date. Eric Walker stood in as acting third principal.
Harry Chatfield, Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah, was the representative of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews. Harry was accompanied by Past Grand Standard Bearer Neil McGill and Provincial Grand Steward Daniel Crossley who is Lancaster Group Vice Chairman.
The ceremony was conducted by director of ceremonies David Moss who presented the incoming principals for installation. Installing scribe Nehemiah was Malcolm Morrison. The only reading was to the second principal, which was read by Mick Gorry.
The robe address to the second principal was delivered by Bob Skelly. On completion of the installation ceremony, first principal Richard Parker appointed and invested his officers for the year.
Harry Chatfield brought greetings from the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews and congratulated the newly installed principals and all those who taken part in the ceremony. Harry was presented with a cheque in favour of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity in the sum of £300. Harry thanked the companions of the chapter for their generous donation.
A total of 19 companions dined at the festive board. The toast to the principals was given by Steward Aimson. The raffle raised a respectable £80.
Richard is 67 years old and lives in Bolton-le-Sands. He served for 22 years in the British Army and is still working as the MD of a Health and Safety consultancy and training company. He was initiated into Freemasonry with Brigantes Lodge No 9734 in Cumberland & Westmorland on 2 June 2001 and raised to the third degree on 15 June 2002 and served in all the offices to become the master of the lodge in 2007.
He was exalted into the Royal Arch in the Chapter of Fortitude on 3 February 2004. He became the first principal of Chapter of Fortitude in 2011 and sat in first principal’s chair once again in 2022. This is the third time he has served as the first principal of the Chapter of Fortitude; something which he is particularly proud of as this year should see Chapter of Fortitude amalgamate with Rowley Chapter No 1051.
Richard’s current Craft lodge is the Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters No 9357 and he has recently been promoted to the Royal Arch Provincial rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner.
He is married to Mandy and his hobbies include walking his two miniature Schnauzer dogs and spending as much time as possible with his three granddaughters aged 13 years, two years and seven months old.