The Palace, St Annes on Sea was buzzing as 33 companions assembled in the chapter room and robing rooms for the installation meeting of this well-known and popular South Fylde Group chapter. Quadrant Chapter No 8044 was consecrated in 1987 and the members and visitors were thrilled to be in the company of one of the chapter’s founding members, Roger Perry, who is one of only two surviving founders, the other being Eric Picton who unfortunately was unable to be present.
The meeting got underway and the substitute first principal David Randerson expertly conducted the officers through the normal business and at the appropriate moment the chapter director of ceremonies Jim Dale retired from the meeting to meet with the grand and acting Provincial grand officers waiting outside. The principal guest was Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Robbie Porter.
John was accompanied by four acting Provincial grand officers, namely Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping, Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Tony Blundell and Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Derek Lewthwaite. The processional party entered the chapter and were seated following a warm welcome to John Robbie by substitute first principal David Randerson.
An excellent ceremony followed which resulted in Jason Emsley being placed in the first principals chair, Kevin Frost in the second principal’s chair and Tony Murrell into the third principal’s chair. Immediately following the ceremony, John Robbie Porter brought the greetings and congratulations of Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews and he was presented with two cheques, each for £600. One of the cheques to support the continued work of Blackpool Blood Bikes. John thanked the companions of the chapter for their generous donations.
During the first rising, Roger Perry brought greetings of the grand officers and a recession of the acting Provincial grand officers along with the grand officer and John Robbie Porter was led by director of ceremonies Jim Dale. The chapter was then closed and the companions moved into the Blue Room and enjoyed a splendid, high quality three course meal provided by the in-house excellence of Masonic Event Catering.
In his response to the toast to grand officers, John Robbie Porter spoke with authority and passion as to how the Royal Arch and the three degrees of Craft Masonry are so intermeshed. He used a simple toy of a Greek temple to explain the relationship of Royal Arch and Craft; being supported by the membership challenge, coherent organisation and community engagement. John Robbie received a well-deserved round of applause.
Following the toast to the Provincial grand officers and the association of the name of Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Andrew Topping, John congratulated all concerned with the ceremony and he thanked the scribe Ezra, Tony Hankinson and the director of ceremonies Jim Dale for doing a splendid job. He went on to congratulate Tony Hankinson and Bob Avery on their promotion at Provincial Grand Chapter in September.
John Topping concluded his response by reading a short but very powerful quote, inviting suggestions as to who said it. The quote was: “When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two-thirds of the time thinking about what they want to hear and one-third thinking about what I want to say”. John revealed that the speaker of that quote was Abraham Lincoln, who was not a Freemason but had fully intended to re-apply to a lodge in Detroit, following his four years-service as President of the United States of America.
The toast to the first principal was expertly delivered by Robert Bentwood who congratulated the three principals and assured the companions that they would do a great job in their respective roles. The song to the three principals was beautifully performed unaccompanied by John Darrell and all in attendance assisted him magnificently with the chorus.
Jason Emsley responded in fine form and thanked the companions for their support, stating his commitment to undertaking the chapter business well and representing Quadrant Chapter as a visiting first principal. He praised the vocal skills of John Darrell and thanked him for such a wonderful rendition. Jason concluded his response by presenting a display of beautiful flowers to John Robbie Porter for his wife Sue. The raffle raised £162 along with the charity plate that received £67.10.
