On a clear and chilly Thursday in January, with the waning moon in its crescent phase, the Palace at St Annes had an air of excitement as the members of St Annes Chapter No 2457, their guests and visitors totalling 51, put on their regalia and prepared for the feast of tradition and ritual that was about to unfold.
Under the skilful management of the installing first principal Dave McKee, the chapter conducted its usual business in an efficient manner. At the appropriate moment, the director of ceremonies, Ian Park, retired from the chapter to greet the principal guest, Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping along with grand and acting Provincial grand officers. The procession entered the chapter and the installing first principal welcomed the principal guest and John took his seat. The ceremony of installation then followed with Kevin Burns being installed as first principal, Bill Brisk as second principal and Will Buchanan as third principal.
On conclusion of the ceremony, John Topping rose to his feet and brought the congratulations and greetings of Grand Superintendent, Mark Matthews. John praised the work of Dave McKee as the immediate and installing first principal and also congratulated the director of ceremonies and assistant director of ceremonies on the management of the ritual. John also thanked the scripture readers for their clear and eloquent reading of the passages. John also congratulated those companions who had delivered the robe addresses.
The convocation ended and the celebrations moved to the great hall and on to the festive board. It was a delight to enter the hall and as always from Lee Munro and team, the sweet aroma of fresh, hand-made food was in the air. The companions awaited the announcement of the new three principals and in due form, the three wise men proudly entered and took their respective places at the top of the table. Everyone sat, conversation amongst friends flowed and the feast was served. The delectable fayre on offer is always of a high quality and this evening’s offerings were no different. Starters consisted of southern fried goujons or melon, the mouth-watering main course was rump steak, served with onion rings, mushrooms, tomatoes and thrice-cooked chips, or for those inclined to enjoy a lighter option, salmon and prawn salad. Desserts consisted of a hand-made profiterole stack or a selection of cheese and biscuits. If anyone has not yet had the pleasure of dining at St Annes Palace, it is highly recommended.
As the final morsels were enjoyed, the toasts began in earnest. Peter Baldwin took the opportunity to wish the three principals the best for their year ahead. The pride on their faces was evident for all to see and there was a genuine sense of happiness and achievement from all three. The sentiment could not have been greater.
It wasn’t long before thoughts turned to raising money for Masonic and non-Masonic charities. At St Annes Chapter, the raffle tickets are pre-prepared and laid out in strips of five lucky numbers at each companion’s seat. This is an efficient method to raise a healthy amount of money whilst incorporating a little fun into the proceedings. With the numbers being drawn by the newly invested first principal Kevin Burns, two lucky winners who scooped prizes were South Fylde Group Charity Steward David Jenkinson and his willing and able assistant, Jordan Brown. They were in high spirits as they each claimed a bottle of wine.
Once the raffle was over, John Topping announced his secret prize. He encouraged companions to part with another pound coin to be in with a chance of winning a prestigious boxed bottle of Quinta das Carvalhas port, known as the jewel of the Douro. A prize worth winning indeed. It is said that John knows all too well the importance of charity giving and this was a prize not to be missed. With donations collected, the companions waited with baited breath and the lucky winner was South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry, and with a huge grin on his face, Ben wryly said that this is my wife’s birthday present sorted, to the amusement of all companions present. £90.53 was raised in the chapter and £335 at the festive board. The charity donations were: £250 to Blackpool Street Life, £250 to Blackpool Care and Share, £250 to One Fylde, £250 to Senior Moments Care and £250 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. £200 has previously been paid to MIND in memory of the late Lewis Sutcliffe and £56 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, total for the year of £1,506. A great aide for Masonic and non-Masonic charities.
The immediate past and installing first principal, Dave McKee, was the next person to speak. He offered his words of wisdom to the new principals, with his key message being to enjoy it, as time will go quicker than you can imagine. Dave has a witty charm that immediately puts people at ease and it was touching to see Dave introduce a very special jewel to incoming first principal Kevin Burns. Everyone was in awe as Dave announced that the jewel, set with semi-precious stones, was originally presented to the late Charles Crabtree in 1929. It resurfaced in 1967 when his widow returned it to the chapter. It was subsequently presented to companion J E Leggett in 1969 and has been handed down ever since. A jewel with a truly great and interesting history, the chapter committee felt it appropriate that it should be worn by each immediate past first principal in turn and returned to the chapter after his year in office when he can be given his own jewel in replacement. Kevin Burns appeared to have a tear of pride in his eye as the jewel was welcomely received.
Kevin took the opportunity to give a heart-felt thanks to Dave before turning his attention to John Topping, giving him thanks in the form of an unrevealed gift in a bottle bag. This was to thank him for attending the meeting in the capacity of principal guest. A true honour indeed. John then, as the principal guest, took the opportunity to respond to the toast to the Provincial grand officers. John carries about him a calm demeanour which effortlessly commands the room. Each companion listened intently as he began by thanking the third principal for his kind proposition of the toast to the Provincial grand officers and associating his name with that toast. He went on to congratulate both the second and third principals for attaining their chairs and then turned his attention to Dave McKee, thanking him for leading St Annes Chapter from the front for the last 12 months and for doing an excellent job of installing his successor, Kevin Burns.
Whilst it is always positive to hear thanks and congratulations go to those at the forefront of these key events in the calendar, it was especially warming to witness John paying extensive thanks to those who work silently but effectively behind the scenes, often unnoticed. His thanks went to Bill Hembrow for the guidance and information he had provided prior to the meeting and to director of ceremonies Clive Tandy and his assistant, Ian Park, for their work and commitment that had clearly gone into the preparation of the day’s proceedings, helping it to run smoothly, without a fault.
Next, John’s congratulations went to the three companions who had spectacularly delivered the robe addresses, namely, Alan Barlow, Jordan Brown and David Jenkinson. John went on to say that he was most delighted at being asked by Ben Gorry whether he would be willing to be the representative of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews at this installation convocation and he also thanked Ben for giving him the opportunity to carry out these duties of which he is extremely proud. Indeed, it was an honour to see him supporting John in his role. John said it was such a gathering of grand officers, consisting of Godfrey Hirst, David Randerson, Stuart Thornber and Roger Perry, a former Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. In addition, six acting Provincial grand officers were in attendance including Creag Williams, John Pitches, Kevin Byrne, Glen Jackson, Derek Lewthwaite and Mark Tomlinson. A very special band of companions indeed.
John, who was appointed at Provincial Grand Chapter to the role of Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah then went on to elaborate on the role of this title as many had recently enquired as to the origins, role and responsibilities that this title bestows. He spoke of the name Nehemiah originating from a Hebrew leader who had been immortalised by scholars into Biblical content, with the Book of Nehemiah falling into two sections. The first section, consisting of six chapters, focusing on the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem and the second section, consisting of a further seven chapters, which concentrate on the re-instruction of the people at that time. The theme throughout, John pointed out in earnest, is restoration.
Nehemiah sought to restore the walls of the Holy City and to restore the spiritual dimension in the hearts and souls of the people. With this in mind, John reminded the companions present that it is now more important than ever to consider how we might restore our own membership numbers, having halved in the past 20 years from approximately 14,000 to less than 7000 at present. It is important to introduce friends, neighbours, work colleagues and those who may be curious from conversations they have had or heard. One thing that John is very proud of throughout his Masonic career is his ability to spread the word, garnering attention through publicity.
One way he does this in particular, is through the building of relationships with the press, the local Gazette in particular. John went on to discuss projects that many companions present would have been involved in, from helping local charities such as One Fylde, Wesley’s Community Kitchen and Helping Hearts and then laid down a challenge, a challenge that each lodge and chapter produce at least one story that can create positive publicity by being published online and for some, even feature in the printed edition. John, as strategic publicity officer said he will look forward to receiving emails that promote the good we do as a collective. John gave a good example of how organised events and publicity can attract new members with a recent Oktoberfest event seeing at least four of the guests attending showing a keen interest to join Freemasonry.
Interestingly, John took out a model that was based on a Lego temple built by John Robbie Porter which illustrated the UGLE three pillars of thriving membership, coherent organisation and community engagement, which in turn sit on the foundations of integrity, respect, friendship and charity. This was a powerful visual aid which John used to amplify his message to the companions that each and every one should act as ambassadors for the Royal Arch and he actively encourages the discussing of the Royal Arch with those Masons in the lodge who have not yet made the step, or indeed are no longer connected to a chapter.
John’s speech concluded with a message that Mark hopes that he can be joined by as many guests as possible for his ladies night which is the annual Provincial Ball at the Bolton Wanderers Toughsheet Stadium on Friday 13 March 2026. If any companion would like to consider accommodation for the evening, the Whites Hotel adjoining the stadium have a discounted rate for rooms booked specifically for this occasion.
With the night waning fast, the meeting ended and the companions went in peace with a re-invigorated zest for promoting charity and chapter, ensuring that Freemasonry, its tenets and traditions continue for generations to come.
