Spring daffodils and warm sunshine seemed to line the approach to Southport Masonic Hall, as the companions, visitors and six master Masons awaited a very unique occasion at Ainsdale Chapter No 5884. The chapter was honoured to receive a visit from the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, who this evening would be opening Provincial Grand Chapter at Southport Masonic Hall.
The chapter was opened in solemn form by the three principals, Chris Lee, Chris Hindle and Graham Downey, as first, second and third principals respectively. Having dealt with the chapter business including a successful ballot for an exaltee, Peter Leek, in addition to the five exaltees already balloted, Chris responded to an alarm, as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Halsall was admitted and announced that the Grand Superintendent stood without.
Having exclaimed that the chapter would be honoured to receive him, a column of distinguished guests gathered outside the door of the chapter. Led by Peter Littlehales and Robb Fitzsimmons, both Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Malcolm Sandywell, Provincial Grand Steward, accompanied by Provincial Grand Standard Bearers, Sylvester During, Mike Fox and Jeff Lucas. Provincial Grand Communications Officer, Paul Brunskill, Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer, Alan Howarth, Provincial Deputy Grand Scribe Ezra, Mick Southern, and Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah, Brian Griffiths.
Accompanied by Southport Group Chairman Phil Stock, Mersey Valley Group Chairman David Atkinson, Assistants to the Provincial Grand Principals John Murphy and John Selley, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews was escorted into the chapter.
Once all were seated, first principal Chris Lee, accompanied by his co-principals, formally welcomed Mark to the chapter and offered the sceptre of the chapter to Mark. On this very special occasion, Mark accepted the sceptre and occupied the chair of first principal. Mark then proceeded to open Provincial Grand Chapter.
Mark, having called for the introduction of Second Provincial Grand Principal elect Andrew Whittle, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Halsall called upon Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Peter and Robb, accompanied by chain bearer David Atkinson, to retire from the chapter and present Andrew Whittle to the Grand Superintendent.
Andrew was admitted into the chapter and orated his obligation faultlessly, and was presented to Grand Superintendent Mark, who invested Andrew and asked him to take his place in the second principal’s chair. Mark then called for the presentation of the Third Provincial Grand Principal elect, Rev John Hall. Ian Halsall again called upon Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Peter and Robb, accompanied by chain bearer, David Atkinson, to retire from the chapter and present John Hall to the Grand Superintendent.
John was admitted to the chapter, conducted by Peter and Robb and David Atkinson. Having presented the collar, Rev John Hall was invested by Grand Superintendent Mark and asked to take his place in the third principal’s chair.
Next, Mark requested the presentation of Stewart Cranage, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals elect to be presented to him. Ian Halsall again called his deputies, Peter and Robb, accompanied by chain bearer, David Atkinson to retire from the chapter and present Stewart to the Grand Superintendent.
Stewart was conducted into the chapter and David Atkinson, having presented his collar of office, Stewart was invested by Mark as an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals. Having completed the business of Provincial Grand Chapter, Mark closed Provincial Grand Chapter and invited first principal Chris to occupy his rightful place as first principal of the chapter, accompanied by the other two principals, Chris and Graham.
For most chapters, this would be quite enough business for one night, but not for Ainsdale Chapter. First principal Chris, announcing that the next order of business would be the exaltation of not one but six candidates. Jake Daniel-Higham, Simon James Fleming, Philip Hugh McNair, Chris Cleary, John Davies and Peter Leek.
The six candidates were led into the chapter, by Principal Sojourner, Richard Gillet, accompanied by multiple sojourners to assist in the exaltation ceremony. The ritual used in Ainsdale Chapter is unique and made for a very memorable exaltation ceremony, performed extremely well not only by the principals themselves, who were exemplary, but also by the sojourners and other companions who performed the unique ritual very well and made for a colourful, romantic and descriptive ceremony, that for those who had the honour and privilege to attend will last long in the memory.
The exaltees having successfully completed their journey through the ceremony of exaltation and been awarded and invested with the insignia of a Royal Arch Mason, were then treated to a master class of ritual knowledge by past principal, Philip Adshead. Philip has been first principal of the chapter on three occasions since 1992, and has obviously served the chapter well, delivering one of the best explanations of the mystical signs seen for some time, and was well congratulated by grand superintendent Mark, later on.
The conclusion of the exaltation ceremony was the cue for Mark Matthews to congratulate the three principals, the companions who had taken part in the ceremony and of course, the six exaltees themselves. In addition, Mark, congratulated the whole chapter for their work in encouraging six master Masons to join the chapter, and for the news that there are a further four candidates to be exalted, making a total of 10 candidates being exalted into the Royal Arch, a very impressive achievement.
After the first risings, the distinguished guests were called to order, and a procession was formed as the Grand Superintendent and newly invested assistants and guests retired. The chapter having been duly closed in solemn form, all retired to enjoy dinner. During dinner, newly invested Second Provincial Grand Principal Andrew Whittle, congratulated the chapter for not only exalting such a high number of candidates in one evening, but also for their continued efforts to encourage membership of this wonderful order, with the planned exaltation of a further four candidates. An example to us all and a fitting end to a very unique occasion.
Story by Mike Fox.