On a bright, sunny Friday afternoon in St Annes on Sea, 50 companions gathered at The Palace Masonic Hall for the installation convocation of Senatores Chapter of installed First Principals No 8966, part of the South Fylde Group. The normal chapter business was efficiently led by first principal John Turpin who had the pleasure of arranging a ballot for a new joining member. This proved successful and North Fylde Group Secretary Mike Brown was welcomed into the chapter.
At the appropriate moment in the ceremony, director of ceremonies John Chesters led a procession of grand and acting Provincial grand officers into the chapter room. Deputy Grand Superintendent David Barr and principal guest Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, Ian Sanderson, were both introduced to the three principals and they occupied their seats.
The seven acting Provincial grand officers attending included Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ian Stirling, Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches, Provincial Grand Membership Officer Kevin Byrne, Provincial Grand Sojourner Glen Jackson, Provincial Second Assistant Grand Sojourner Graham Kenyon, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Tony Blundell and Provincial Grand Janitor Neil Higgins.
The ceremony of installation was expertly undertaken by the three principals, John Turpin, Ian Stirling and Gordon Ivett, under the watchful eye of assistant director of ceremonies Stuart Thornber, who managed the ritual so skilfully. The newly installed principals were John Robbie Porter as first principal, Ian Park as second principal and Jim Gregson as third principal who each received a delightful explanation of their robes by Clive Gitsham to the first principal, Clive Tandy to the second principal and Mike Brown to the third principal.
Immediately following the ceremony of installation, principal guest, Ian Sanderson brought greetings and congratulations from Grand Superintendent, Mark Matthews. He praised the work of all the officers, especially the presenters of the three robe addresses and wished all companions good health and happiness to continue enjoying their Royal Arch Freemasonry. He was delighted to receive charitable cheques of £350 for Brian House and £150 for the Haemochromatosis Society.
The festive board quickly followed and a fine three course meal was enjoyed by all diners, supplied by the superb Masonic Event Catering of The Palace Masonic Hall. In between the courses, a series of wine takings were efficiently managed by assistant director of ceremonies Stuart Thornber. Following the dessert course, formal toasts commenced and Ian Sanderson responded to the toast to the grand officers. He brought his own greetings and congratulations to the new team and wished Senatores Chapter every success in the future. He spoke about the upcoming Provincial Grand Lodge meeting and the Provincial Grand Chapter meeting later in the year, hoping that there will be a great attendance at both meetings. Ian recounted a very amusing story to conclude his response, which had everyone in fits of laughter. John Robbie Porter presented Ian with a token of appreciation for attending Senatores Chapter installation convocation. The tylers toast was respectfully delivered by Umesh Dholakia which brought this installation convocation to a close.
