Companions from the Chapter of Fortitude No 281 assembled for their final installation meeting at Rowley Court, Lancaster. First principal Richard Parker opened the chapter and conducted chapter business, after which director of ceremonies Stewart Aimson left the meeting.
Stewart returned and announced that the representative of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, Past Grand Standard Bearer Stephen Jelly, accompanied by Past Grand Standard Bearer Neil McGill, along with acting Provincial grand officers; Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping, Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches and Provincial Grand Steward Les Newlands, together with Vice Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Daniel Crossley, requested admission.
The ceremony was conducted by director of ceremonies Stewart Aimson, who proclaimed each of the three principals currently in office, with Richard Parker as first principal, Connor Isted as second principal, and Paul Dent as third principal. Paul Dent was unable to attend the meeting and will be proclaimed at a later date. Nigel Parrish occupied the third principal’s chair for the installation ceremony. Installing scribe Nehemiah was David Grant. There were no robe addresses given.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Richard Parker appointed and invested his officers. Stephen Jelly then gave the address to the companions of the Chapter of Fortitude. He brought greetings from Provincial Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews and was presented with notice of a £250 donation to West Lancashire Freemasons Charity and a £250 donation to the Masonic Charities Fund.
After the first rising was conducted, Stephen Jelly, accompanied by grand, acting Provincial grand officers, and group vice-chairman, retired. The remaining risings were conducted and the chapter was closed for the final installation meeting as Chapter of Fortitude.
A total of 22 companions dined at the festive board. The toast to the three principals was given by Bob Skelly. The raffle raised £195.
In response to the toast to the Grand Principals and Grand Officers, Stephen Jelly commented:
“In the Chapter room, it was my pleasure to bring you the greetings and congratulations of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, and it is now my opportunity to bring you my own personal congratulations on remaining in your respective chairs, albeit for maybe a few more months.
I believe the Chapter is merging with Rowley Chapter who will surrender their Warrant on the 16th of March 2026. So, I appreciate this installation is filling the space until March when you will have another Installation and hopefully have the re-named Warrant presented by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent.
It is also an interesting statistic that since your first meeting was 24th of November 1926. If you count the Consecration meeting as the first Installation meeting, then this meeting must be your One Hundredth Installation meeting.
Thanks, Most Excellent, your Excellences and you Companions, for keeping things ticking over until next March and I hope everything goes well for your merger, and that you have an amalgamated Chapter which will go from strength to strength.
The Chapter of Fortitude will be renamed City of Lancaster Chapter No 281 in early 2026, formed out of Rowley Chapter No 1051 and the Chapter of Fortitude No 281.
