An exceptional and well attended evening was held in Southport, as the extremely popular and down-to-earth Dean Walters joined Fermor Chapter No 1313. Dean is fast becoming a pillar of the local Masonic scene, having taken the position of the group assistant secretary, where he is having an instant impact.
Of course, he also wanted to complete his Masonic journey by joining the Royal Arch, and with his customary wisdom had decided to join the family that is Fermor Chapter. The event was honoured by a distinguished and rather large group of well-wishers. These included several high-ranking individuals including the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews and John Selley, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, in addition to Southport pillars David Thomas and group chairman Phil Stock. To add extra polish to the evening, the director of ceremonies for Fermor Chapter was none other than group vice chairman Brian Griffiths, and the group secretary Richard Jenkinson was chapter treasurer.
The chapter was opened by the ever industrious first principle Alister Sainter, who immediately welcomed the massive collection of people who had, just about, managed to squeeze into the temple. He then proceeded to give a fine example of an exaltation ceremony for the packed room. It was clear all present had done their very best for Dean, although under the approachable but experienced eye of Brian it was perhaps no surprise the quality of ritual was so high.
The evening then proceeded to the festive board. After a superb three course meal of prawn and smoked salmon timbale starter causing a particular stir, the evening proceeded to the speeches. Fermor Chapter has a particularly inclusive tradition of after dinner speaking, where individuals have the right to stand and make their points in front of all companions. This tradition fosters a spirit of community, as well as allowing brethren to practice public speaking among friends. On the occasion of Dean’s exaltation, the list of speech givers was particularly distinguished, as the senior brethren rose in turn to pay tribute.
Speakers included Mark, who after gently ribbing, the first principal Alister Sainter, rose to give a speech with practiced ease, showing the junior companions just how to do public speaking well. He paid tribute to Brian Griffiths for serving as Provincial Scribe Nehemiah during the year in addition to his other responsibilities, and informed the companions about recent updates and tasks from Grand Chapter.
However, quite rightly, he mostly praised Dean and welcomed him into the Royal Arch. This was of course the theme of the evening as a number of companions rose, extoling the virtues of this illustrious order and welcoming Dean to his new family. The evening was fittingly closed by Richard Jenkinson and Brian Griffiths in their own different but equally powerful styles, raising the toast to Dean and then closing the evening by thanking everyone attending.
In the end, everybody in the dining room retreated to the bar in the style of gentleman of old, and the celebrations continued with great merriment late into the evening.
