Henry Cook Chapter No 1021 hosted a white table evening for the Furness and South Lakeland Group, attracting Masons interested in learning more about the Royal Arch and completing their journey through pure and antient Freemasonry. Grand Superintendent, Mark Matthews, flew the flag brilliantly for the Province, attending as principal guest at Barrow Fairfield Masonic Hall.
Mark was accompanied by Deputy Grand Superintendent David Barr, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson and grand officers Rowley Saunders, Alan Jones and Barry Fitzgerald. Acting Provincial grand officers in attendance were: Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping, Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches and Provincial Grand Steward Gordon Evans. The Furness and South Lakeland Group executive were well represented by chairman Chris Gray, vice chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary Kevin Rigg.
An early arrival by Mark Matthews afforded him the opportunity for many conversations with members and guests of the chapter as well as group officers.
The chapter was opened in due and ancient form by first principal Derek Pallister, second principal Tony Jackson and substitute third principal Barry Bray. Mark was formally welcomed by the three principals and Derek offered Mark his sceptre, who briefly retained it during an exchange of pleasantries, but then Mark politely and firmly returned the sceptre to Derek.
Scribe Ezra Scott Deakin read out the names of the companions of the chapter who have been awarded Provincial honours, to be invested at the forthcoming Provincial Grand Chapter convocation at Blackpool on Wednesday 23 September: Morton Robert Richardson, Christopher John Gray, and Barrie James Bray.
Most of the chapter’s business was devoted to installing Andy Baxter as third principal, having been absent from the installation convocation earlier in the spring. Andy was presented for installation by director of ceremonies Dennis Laird, afforded all due ceremonial and impeccably installed with great humility. Tony Jackson presented him with his sceptre and he was placed in the third principal chair. John Edwards-Donnelly orated the blue robe address with great dignity and authority, completing the ceremony with a flourish. Kevin Taylor, also unavailable at installation, was appointed and invested as a steward of the chapter.
Mark rose to congratulate Andy on his installation as third principal and he also congratulated all those who had taken part in what he described as a ‘very fine mini ceremony’, singling out director of ceremonies Dennis Laird for praise.
At the festive board, the seven Masonic brethren present, Anton Cleverley, Bobby Taylor, Lewis Bird, Ray Burrows, Paul Curwen, Richard Oliver and Lee Parkinson, ranging in rank from entered apprentice through to past master, were treated to a presentation by several members of the chapter, who gave a brief talk on their respective roles and the strong links between the Craft and Royal Arch.
Barry Bray gave an excellent description of the Royal Arch apron, ribbon and jewel, well noting the progression from white, through red, to dark blue as a companion progresses from companion to excellent companion and to Provincial officer and grand officer.
The target of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews for Royal Arch membership across the Province of West Lancashire is 50% of Craft Masons. The Furness and South Lakeland Group currently sits with 58.8% of its membership being companions of one of its nine chapters.
