An exceptional and well attended evening was held in Southport, as Sam Jackson was exalted into Fermor Chapter No 1313 in the company of John Selley, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principles. Sam is an extremely easy to talk to and likable gentleman, and indeed Fermor Chapter were so keen to have him join they had arranged an emergency meeting just to bring him in.
Fermor Chapter itself is going from strength to strength, with many of the members celebrating recent achievements. This included treasurer Richard Jenkinson taking on the role of group vice chairman, Dean Walters taking Richard’s old role as group secretary, and scribe Ezra Al Sainter of Southport Regalia who had only the previous weekend raised around £5,600 for charity at Jewels of the Craft,
The chapter was first opened by the unflappable and reassuring first principal Peter Stones, who immediately welcomed John Selley to the meeting and offered him his sceptre. Smiling, John returned the sceptre to Peter and settled in to enjoy what turned out to be an exceptional evening of Royal Arch Freemasonry. Peter and his team had clearly rolled out the red carpet as the quality of ritual on the night was exceptional. Special mention must go to the director of ceremonies John Husdell who took the role of principal sojourner for the ceremony, yet again delivering the various difficult and long pieces of ritual clearly and without prompt.
The evening then proceeded to the festive board, where at the initiative of the scribe Ezra Al Sainter the tables had been arranged in a tau. After a superb meal, 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.
The floor of course first belonged to the newly exalted candidate Sam Jackson, who rose to thank his proposer Dave Rydings and particularly the way Dave had kept him in touch with Freemasonry during his travels. This was responded to in a warm and heartfelt way by his distinguished proposer. John Selley then rose and, noting the friendly nature of the chapter, made comment on the tau shaped tables. This became a running theme of the evening and you can be sure the tau will be back.
As the speeches continued it quickly became clear Sam Jackson’s easy and approachable manner was a perfect fit for Fermor Chapter, its culture of warmth and friendliness no contrast to its long and distinguished history. The merriment continued in the style of gentleman of old. It had turned into the tau-tally perfect evening.
