The companions and visitors to Chapter of Equity No 1384 enjoyed the warm spring evening sunshine as they arrived at Widnes Masonic Hall for the installation meeting of the chapter. The chapter has a long and distinguished history, having been consecrated in October 1931, which is now only five years away from their planned centenary celebration in 2031.
The chapter welcomed a veritable collection of distinguished guests, who, under the guidance of chapter director of ceremonies, Ian Edge, assembled and led the procession to enter the chapter. Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Mike Fox, Mersey Valley Group Vice Chairman, John Gibbon, grand officers, Kevin Poynton and Samuel Robinson and Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Murphy all processed and entered the chapter.
John was formally welcomed to the chapter by first principal Michael Burwin, and once all guests were seated, proceeded to continue with the ceremony of installation, assisted by second principal Neil Pedder and third principal Ian Lynch.
Third principal elect Gary Holmes was presented to Ian Lynch and performed his obligation faultlessly and having been obligated was duly seated in the chapter. The scripture reading to a third principal was read by Kevin Poynton.
In turn, second principal elect Ian Lynch was presented to Neil Pedder, and again as before performed his obligation with the scripture readings read by Sam Robinson and was duly seated. First principal elect Neil Pedder was also duly obligated with the scripture readings performed by John Gibbon, with Neil seated in the chapter, ready for the conclave of an installed principal to be formed.
First principal Michael performed the installation of new first principal elect Neil perfectly and having installed him into the first principal’s chair was rewarded by the appointment of immediate past first principal. The conclave was closed and a board of installed second principals was formed.
This time it was Neil’s turn to install second principal elect Ian into his respective chair, and having been given is robe and presented with his collar, took his place in the second principal’s chair. The conclave was then closed and this time it was Ian’s turn to install third principal elect Gary, which he did with style, and as before presented him with his robe and collar and Gary then took the third principal’s chair.
The installation of new principals is a complicated affair and the three principals in conjunction with the director of ceremonies Ian, made it look easy. Robe addresses like many Masonic ritual passages, contain antimetabole or repeated words in transcribed order. However, the present and past principals brushed such idiosyncrasies aside and delivered excellent robe addresses. The scarlet robe address presented by Michael Burwin, purple robe address by Neil Pedder and blue robe address by Ian Lynch, excellent prose indeed.
Norman Speed gave the address to the three principals, and that was the cue for John Murphy to deliver the address to the companions of the chapter, which he did with flair and sincerity. First principal Neil requested John to accept cheques on behalf of the charities, with John announcing to the companions of the chapter the very generous donation from the chapter of £250 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
The companions and guests retired to the dining room at Widnes Masonic Hall to dine in each other’s company and continue the enjoyment of their Royal Arch freemasonry, with the celebration of another page being turned in the long history of Chapter of Equity.
Story by Mike Fox.