Royal Arch companions from across the Furness and South Lakeland Group and beyond gathered at Abbey Chapter No 1225 meeting at Barrow’s Fairfield Masonic Hall to see a demonstration of the Savage Club Chapter Ritual. In attendance were Third Provincial Grand Principal Reverend John Hall, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson and 50 companions.
The demonstration ceremony was carried out by the Provincial Grand Stewards’ Chapter of West Lancashire No 8516, to great approval and acclaim from the assembled companions. Peter Schofield and Peter Mason represented Supreme Grand Chapter. Furness and South Lakeland Group The group chairman Chris Gray was accompanied by vice chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Tony Jackson. Acting Provincial grand officers were in attendance were; Robb Fitzsimmons, Alastair Davidson, Kevin Byrne, Les Newlands and Gordon Evans.
This interesting variation of the exaltation ritual had been rediscovered in the archive of the Savage Club Chapter No 2190. The chapter met in London in the mid-2000s and had seemingly been approved for use many decades previously but had never been brought into current use.
It doesn’t change anything about the underlying Royal Arch story or the message it imparts, and so after updating it to make sure it incorporated the recent changes required by Supreme Grand Chapter, confirmation came from the Committee of General Purposes that it was still okay to use. It tells the story in a more logical, clearer way but without dumbing it down. This allows companions to appreciate the candidate’s involvement and his reaction because the story is easier to follow. It’s a shorter, more efficient and a more engaging experience and it is believed that it is part of what has kept people coming back.
The most significant difference is that in other rituals the narrative and the performance aspect are split, which means the story essentially gets run twice, whereas this version has simultaneous acting and narration. This means there is less ‘coming and going’ and it creates more roles for other participants.
After the three principals, Stephen Renney, Gary Gibson and Derek Forrest (standing in for third principal, Paul Musgrave) had opened the chapter in due and ancient form and conducted the business, first principal Stephen Renney handed over to the demonstration team.
The demonstration team was comprised of Robb Fitzsimmons as first principal, assisted by Kevin Bryne, Roy Cowley, Eric Kos, David Atkinson, Doug Smith and Bob Stafford, with Geoff Waters as the candidate. The demonstration team director of ceremonies was Stephen Holcroft.
After the demonstration was complete, Abbey Chapter first principal Stephen Renney thanked all the members of the team and the visitors to the chapter. £112 was collected for Masonic charities in alms and at the festive board, £220 was raised by the raffle for chapter funds.