Retired submariner Derek Pallister has been installed as first principal of Henry Cook Chapter No 1021 during a delightful ceremony at Barrow, Fairfield Masonic Hall, in the presence of Second Provincial Grand Principal Andrew Whittle. The roll of attendees was substantial, with seven visiting principals of other chapters, an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, three acting Provincial grand officers, six grand officers, the full Furness and South Lakeland Group Executive, led by group chairman Chris Gray, and over 40 companions in all.
The three principals, Glenn Hudson, Derek Pallister and Tony Jackson entered the chapter and opened the convocation in due and ancient form. The regular business of the chapter was carried out, which included a heart-warming favourable ballot for honorary membership for Ken Boon, who has been in poor health for some time. The three principals sent their best wishes to Ken and recognised his long service to the chapter.
Director of ceremonies Dennis Laird and assistant director of ceremonies Mort Richardson then retired for a short time. Upon their return, a report was announced and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald, entered the conclave, to inform all within that Second Provincial Grand Principal Andrew Whittle, stood without and demanded admission. First principal Glenn responded that he would be received with pleasure.
Andrew Whittle then entered with his accompanying retinue of Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson, grand officers Rowley Saunders, John Quiggin, Alan Jones and Peter Schofield, also attending were Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, along with acting Provincial grand officers Alastair Davidson, Gordon Evans and Les Newlands. Andrew Whittle was warmly welcomed by the three principals. The first principal’s sceptre was offered to Andrew, briefly retained, then returned with a smile and assurances from Andrew that Glenn would do a much better job than he would.
Gary Gibson, first principal of Abbey Chapter No 1225 and Alan Tomlinson, first principal of Semper Sursum Chapter No 5622, were invited to occupy the chair of second principal and position of principal sojourner for the purposes of the ceremony. The retiring companions of Henry Cook Chapter then assembled in the north and outgoing first principal Glenn Hudson thanked them for their support and service to both him and the chapter in the preceding 12 months, expressing the sincere wish that they would continue to support the incoming three principals. Glenn made special mention of ‘the backstage boys’ for their diligence in preparing the room for assemblies on such a regular basis and he thanked them profusely.
First principal elect Derek Pallister and second principal elect Tony Jackson were then presented by Dennis Laird to installing first principal Glenn Hudson and mention was made of the absence due to illness of third principal elect Andy Baxter. His stand-in on the day was Barry Bray, Andy will be installed at a future date.
Scribe Ezra, Scott Deakin, read the qualifications necessary in each candidate for the principal’s chairs, to which both companions elect assented. Tony Jackson, second principal elect was addressed by Derek Pallister and he recited his obligation before kneeling before his new chair and attending to the reading of those portions of scripture by Scott Deakin, specially selected for the installation of second principal. Derek Pallister, first principal elect was addressed by Glenn Hudson and recited his obligation before kneeling before his new chair and attending to the reading of those portions of scripture by Andy Greenwood, specially selected for the installation of first principal.
All those below the rank of an installed first principal were requested to retire and a Conclave of Installed First Principals was opened. Derek was presented to Glenn by Dennis Laird and he was installed with great sincerity and humility into the chair of first principal. Glenn invested him with the robe and collar of his office before conducting him to his chair and presenting him with his sceptre. The Conclave of Installed First Principals was closed, installed second principals were admitted along with second principal elect Tony and a Conclave of Installed Second Principals was opened. Tony was entrusted, presented to Derek and installed in an excellent manner. Derek invested him with his robe, collar and jewel, before conducting him to his chair and presenting Tony with his sceptre. The Conclave of Installed Second Principals was closed. The two newly installed principals were proclaimed by Dennis Laird.
Derek Pallister joined Ian Cottam on the floor, where Ian gave a most excellent rendition of the red robe address. Likewise, Tony was invited by Bill Joughin, a sprightly youngster of 90, to join him on the floor, where he gave a superb rendering of the purple robe address.
Glenn Hudson presented the charter and centenary charter to the newly installed principals, handing copies of the Book of Constitutions of the Order and Henry Cook Chapter by-laws to Derek. He was then invested as immediate past first principal, Derek expressed the gratitude of the whole chapter for Glenn’s hard work, and Glenn in return thanked the chapter for his immediate past first principal jewel.
Harry Chatfield then rose and addressed the first and second principals in an excellent manner and with great conviction. At the appointment and investment of officers, the three sojourners were addressed with great humility and dignity by Glenn Hudson. The companions of the chapter rose to be addressed by principal guest Andrew Whittle. At the completion of the installation ceremony, Andrew again rose to bring the greetings of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, congratulating all who had taken part in the ceremony. Andrew was presented with a cheque for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for £500 by Derek Pallister, for which Andrew thanked Derek and the companions of the chapter for their generosity. The convocation then honoured the charities.
Principal guest Andrew Whittle then exercised his right to retire and was accompanied in the recession by grand and Provincial grand officers and group chairman Chris Gray. Alan Everett brought the greetings of the Provincial grand officers and at the fourth rising, Gary Gibson brought the greetings of all the visitors.
