City Chapter No 2514 is a proud member of the Gladstone Group and has many unique traditions, if you would like to find out what they are, a visit to this fine chapter is highly recommended. Visitors and guests were welcomed to the chapter by the companions, all elegantly attired in their distinctive bow-ties and once all were settled the chapter was opened by the three principals, Gratten Williams, Andrew Prowse and Derek Hedges as first, second and third principals respectively.
Stand-in director of ceremonies,
David Edge, conducted newly appointed assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, Paul Storrar, to the three principals who greeted Paul warmly and wished him a very enjoyable visit to the chapter.
Continuing onwards, director of ceremonies, David, collected third principal elect, Peter Barker, and presented him to third principal, Derek for the benefit of installation. Derek has a fine command of ritual and conducted the ceremony perfectly and Peter recited his obligation in sincere fashion. The reading to a third principal was orated by Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, Colin Rowling, who was in fine voice and delivered the scripture reading with gravitas.
Having conducted Peter to a place in the chapter, it was the turn of Derek to be presented to Andrew as second principal elect. Derek was equally impressive in his recital of his obligation and was ably assisted by Andrew throughout the ceremony, it was turn of Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah Michael Fox, to read the scripture reading for a second principal.
Andrew Prowse was then collected and so presented as first principal elect, to Grattan Williams. The ceremony was conducted in exemplary fashion and Andrew recited his obligation superbly and having been duly obligated, Paul Storrar rose and whose stirring rendition of the scripture reading to a first principal rang out with solemnity.
Grattan installed his successor in time honoured tradition and Andrew took his place as first principal of the chapter. In very quick succession Derek was installed as second principal and following suit Peter as third. An evening of excellent ritual is always something to be enjoyed and the robe addresses, delivered by Grattan, Andrew and Derek did not disappoint with all three delivered superbly.
After the investiture of chapter officers and at the conclusion of the installation ceremony, Paul Storrar rose for the first time since his investiture at Provincial Grand Chapter as Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals on 23 September 2026 and communicated the congratulations of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews to the three principals and the chapter at large.
First principal Andrew presented a cheque to honour the charities to Paul and having requested permission to read the contents to the assembled companions, announced the very generous donation of £200 to the West Lancashire Freemasons Charity.
During the risings, Paul’s labour of the evening was still not yet complete and he was requested to present two Supreme Grand Chapter Certificates for companions Tom Ritchie and Gordon Sanford, which Paul carried out with sincerity and an excellent explanation of the symbolical nature contained within the certificate.
Chapter business being duly concluded, the companions and distinguished guests retired to the Crompton dining rooms at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool to continue the celebration of the installation ceremony. At dinner the customary toasts were honoured with warmth, the highlight of the evening being a delightful toast to the three principals given by Grattan Williams. In return the three principals thanked Grattan and rewarded him with a beautiful past first principals’ jewel which Grattan was delighted to receive and will wear with pride.
