Peace and Unity Chapter No 3966 was consecrated in 1944 at Blackpool Masonic Hall, although the chapter subsequently met at the Palatine Hotel in Blackpool, near the Tower. The Palatine Hotel was demolished in 1973, leading to the chapter moving to the Imperial Hotel in North Blackpool, where it stayed until 2003, when another move brought the chapter full circle back to where it was consecrated, Blackpool Masonic Hall.
The installation convocation of Peace and Unity Chapter was opened in due form by the three principals: Michael Tax as first principal, David Hill as second principal and Steve James as third principal assisted by director of ceremonies Glenn O’Brien and officers of the chapter.
Once the general business of the chapter had been dispensed with, there was an alarm and the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Ryan Modlin, entered the chapter room and announced that Third Provincial Grand Principal, Reverend John Hall, demanded admission.
Reverend John processed into the chapter accompanied by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, John Robbie Porter, grand officer and Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly, along with grand officer John Turpin, Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping, and acting Provincial grand officers, John Pitches, Graham Kenyon, Derek Lewthwaite, Creag Williams, Mark Tomlinson and Neil Higgins.
Reverend John Hall was then welcomed into the chapter by Michael Tax, who offered the sceptre of the first principal to Reverend John, which, on this occasion he politely declined. The next business was to install the three principals elect: Peter Maxwell as first principal, Steve James as second principal and Andrew Fraser as third principal.
Once all three principals had been installed, Peter requested the scribe Nehemiah to admit all remaining companions. The officers of the chapter for the ensuing year were then invested.
The robe addresses were given by Michael Tax to the first principal, by Giles Berkley to the second principal and by Michael Shakespeare to the third principal. Reverend John Hall gave the address to the companions of the chapter.
Once the chapter installation convocation was concluded, Reverend John stood and gave his own sincere best wishes to the new three principals and to all those companions who had taken part in the installation ceremony.
After the first rising, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin assembled the procession to recess out of the chapter room, led by acting Provincial grand officers followed by Provincial grand scribe Nehemiah, grand officers, group chairman, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals and Reverend John Hall.
The chapter installation convocation was then closed following the completion of the remaining risings. The companions retired to the museum dining room for a fine three-course meal supplied by Shaun and his team at Masonic Catering Ltd. The Three Principals Song was performed by chapter member Matthew Baldwin accompanied by John Wall.
