In a friendly, companionable and highly capable ceremony, Jonathan Cody, Peter Gardner and Ben Cauldwell have been installed at Furness Chapter No 995. In the presence of Deputy Grand Superintendent David Barr. Reg Wilkinson brought the curtain down on a busy year in the first principal’s chair by installing his successor. Reg has utilised the year well, having been a very prolific visitor to the Furness and South Lakeland Group’s nine chapters and beyond. 48 companions were present to witness the ceremony.
Chapter director of ceremonies Alan Mills escorted in the three principals and the chapter was opened in due and ancient form. First business was a tribute to the recent passing of well loved and respected companion and long-time member of the chapter William Leslie Preston, at the age of 101 years. The companions stood to order in respect to departed merit
The director of ceremonies Alan Mills and stand-in assistant director of ceremonies Steven Elllershaw retired, scribe Nehemiah Ronnie Jackson announced that Deputy Grand Superintendent David Barr stood without and demanded admission. David Barr entered the chapter room with his escort of five officers of Supreme Grand Chapter, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Principal Barrie Crossley, grand officers Dave Grainger, Rowley Saunders and Alan Jones. Also in attendance, adding polish and lustre to the proceedings, were Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches, Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar Alastair Davidson and no less than three Provincial Grand Stewards, Les Newlands, Gordon Evans and Dave Rigby. Furness and South Lakeland Group Executive was also out in full force, group chairman Chris Gray, vice-chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Tony Jackson. Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Rob Fitzsimmons marshalled the processional in an effective and unobtrusive manner.
Having completed the regular business before the chapter, first principal Reg asked the companions of Furness Chapter to assemble in the North, he thanked them most sincerely for their help during his time as first principal, expressing a hope that their efforts would be sustained throughout Jonathan’s time in that office.
Third principal elect, companion Ben Cauldwell was presented to Peter Gardner, third principal of the chapter, to receive at his hands the benefit of installation, with all due ceremony. Ben was obligated and took a seat in the chapter. The reading of the scripture was given by Tony Nevinson.
Jim Richards was then asked to occupy the third principal’s chair, Peter Gardiner was presented to Johnathan Cody, who obligated him, Peter then took a seat in the chapter. Tony Nevinson then occupied the second principal’s chair, Jonathan Cody was obligated and took a seat in the chapter. All those below the rank of an installed first principal retired for a short while and a conclave of installed first principals was opened. First principal Reg Wilkinson installed Jonathan Cody in a brief but excellent ceremony, Jonathan having previously been installed as a first principal.
The conclave of installed first principals was closed, second principals and second principal elect were admitted. A conclave of installed second principals was opened, and Jonathan installed Peter Gardner as second principal impeccably.
The conclave of installed second principals was closed, first principals and third principal elect were admitted. Ben Cauldwell was duly installed for the first time as third principal in a most dignified and sincere manner by Peter Gardner.
Craig McNicol did sterling work with the red robe address, Steve Ellershaw, standing in at very short notice as the assistant director of ceremonies did a marvellous job with the purple robe address and Keith Lancaster gave the blue robe address brilliantly. Having seen the officers of the chapter appointed and invested, David Barr rose to bring the greetings of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews and in doing so, congratulated Reg Wilkinson, immediate past first principal, the three principals, Alan Mills director of ceremonies and stand in assistant director of ceremonies Steve Ellershaw. He was particularly vociferous in his praise for Keith Lancaster’s blue robe address work.
First principal Jonathan presented David with a £500 cheque for West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
At the first rising Gary Rogerson brought the greetings of the officers of Supreme Grand Chapter, congratulating all who has taken part in the proceedings. £178 was collected in alms.
At the festive banquet afterwards, David Barr in his reply to the toast was effusive in his praise for outgoing scribe Ezra Keiron Mullan for his service and congratulated incoming scribe Ezra Kevan Cassley for taking on the role. £253.76 was raised by the raffle.