It cites that E. Comp Vernon  “…Is held in such high esteem by this Chapter for his continuous service to his country, Masonry in general and to this Chapter in particular. “ that the award of Honorary membership has been conferred. 

E Comp Vernon receiving his Certificate from E Comp Ron Parker, MEZ of Groisvenor Chapter

 Left to Right: E Comps Robert James (H), Ron Parker (MEZ), Ken Wilkinson (J), Vernon Crofts

E Comp Vernon joined Old Dudleian Lodge No 6734 in 1964 and then became a member of Grosvenor Chapter in 1969 becoming MEZ in 2004. He was appointed to the rank of PProvGReg in 1984 and PProvGSN in 2004.

After the presentation E Comp Ken Wilkinson noted that it was Vernon who had encouraged him to join Grosvenor Lodge so many years ago whilst they were both holidaying in Portugal and Spain, neither has regretted a moment of that decision.

The Festival was as usual a demonstration of the Warwickshire working of the ceremony of Exaltation, by Companions of the Province below the rank of Chapter Principal, all of whom were drawn from several different Chapters.  The demonstration was a splendid event and all who participated were warmly congratulated by the President who was very impressed with the high standard of the ritual demonstration.  

Left :  E Comp Graham C King, MEGS Glos & Hereford

The ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp John L Saint stated that he was very proud of the excellent manner in which the ritual was demonstrated and thanked the Companions of the Province who participated and the GCOI Preceptors for their excellent work.

E Comp David Butterworth, the GCOI Preceptor, said that he was delighted at the performance of his team and thanked and congratulated everyone who took part.                       

In addition to the Exaltation Ceremony an excellent demonstration of the Royal Arch Jewel was delivered by E Comp Mark Philips of Fletcher Chapter No 1031.  As well as giving a flawless delivery of the ritual, he also enhanced the presentation with an animated PowerPoint demonstration which showed the jewel projected on a screen whilst the ritual was being delivered and added to the understanding of the Companions.  

A copy of the PowerPoint Show can be viewed on line by clicking below:

Animated RA jewel 

The file is saved as a PowerPoint Show which should run directly from a website or can be downloaded to run locally provided the user has PowerPoint installed.  Those without the application installed can download the free PowerPoint viewer from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=6.

The booking forms are now available and can be downloaded here Application form 4pp final for website

The gates will be open at 12.30pm  and at 1.30pm the Garden Party will be officially opened by the ME Grand Superintendent, E.Comp. John L. Saint. The cost per person will be £15.00, children 3- 12 yrs , £5.00 and under 3yrs free. There will be free parking for vehicles.

The ticket will include, entrance to the event, a cream tea, strawberries and Champagne and a free bar. Tea and coffee will also be available and the stalls will sell a range of other food, cakes etc to ensure you have a wide choice. 

The theme for the afternoon is based on the Garden Parties of the 1930’s, i.e. lots of stalls, games, music, ladies dressed in frilly summer dresses and hats and gentlemen in striped blazers and boaters. It is hoped that those attending will enter into the spirit of the occasion. 

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent hopes that each of his Chapters will take a part by having a stall or a game which will raise money for the cause. Chapters are encouraged to support the event by hosting a stall of some kind whether it be a game or similar, making and selling items, a plant or book stall etc.  There will be a prize of a case of wine for the Chapter that raises most money for the Appeal on the day!

If your Chapter feels that they may have difficulties in doing something themselves then we would urge you either to seek to join with another Chapter in similar circumstances or to perhaps make a donation from the Chapter in lieu but still of course hoping that your members will attend on the day.  Please seek the views and various ideas of your Members and when the Chapter has decided what it would like to do towards supporting the event, to contact E.Comp.Fred Ditchfield  by email at ‘ gardenparty@ditchfield.fS2.com.

He is co-ordinating the different stall/games etc. to prevent any repetition and so that he has some idea of what will be available and so that a programme can be compiled do please communicate with him. If any of your Companions has any resources available that might be of use to other Chapters and is happy to lend them out, please give this information to E.Comp. Fred at the same time. He may be able to help you with ideas for a stall or fund raising game.

Companions, it is not often that the Royal Arch Province of Warwickshire holds such an event. It will not only be a fun day for Companions, their families and friends, but it will raise funds for those talented Surgeons whose research results will undoubtedly benefit us all at some stage in the lives of each and every one of us and our loved ones. The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent is most anxious that not only every Chapter takes a part but that all the Companions of his Province get together and enjoy a good day out and celebrate a very worthy cause.

E Comp John Saint with E Comp John Winter, MEGS of Staffordshire

St. Peter’s Chapter No 417, the oldest Chapter in the Province dating from 1892, was the host for the visit. The Chapter room was full to the brim with acting officers from both Provinces, their own members and other Warwickshire Companions whE Comp JohnThe RA Provincial Executives from both Provinces Saint with E Comp John Winter, MEGS of Staffordshireo had come to support. A fine exaltation ceremony then took place and the newly exalted companion clearly enjoyed his evening as much as the Warwickshire Companions.

 

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The RA Provincial Executives from both Provinces

After the ceremony we adjourned to the dining room where a very good meal coupled with the splendid hospitality of our hosts finished off the evening in excellent form.  The general noise level which rarely seemed to fall clearly showed that a good time was had by all.

As the Warwickshire companions went their ways it was plain that inter provincial friendship with our Staffordshire Companions had been reinforced and deepened and everyone is looking forward to the return visit!

Present and Past Officers of Provincial Grand Chapter, being subscribing members of a Royal Arch Chapter, together with the Principals of the several Chapters in the Province, are hereby summoned to attend, wearing the Clothing and Insignia of their rank in the Order; Companions of the several Chapters, and visitors from other Provinces, are cordially invited to be present.  The Summons and other papers will be available at the meeting.

The Annual Convocation Calling Notice has been emailed to Chapter Scribes E for distribution to members and can also be downloaded here  Annual Convocation Calling Notice 2013 Web.

Before you pack your Chapter Regalia, check first, or you may end up just paying for extra baggage! The Supreme Grand Chapter of England does not formally recognise other Grand Chapters.

The Supreme Grand Chapter of England accepts Companions from foreign Grand Chapters as regular, as long as that foreign Grand Chapter is approved by the Grand Lodge of that same country, which, in turn, must be recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England. A list of the recognised Grand Lodges can be found on the United Grand Lodge of England website.

Communications with Grand Chapters

Companions wishing to visit Chapter meetings abroad should avoid becoming involved with irregular Royal Arch bodies. Therefore they should first check (preferably in writing) with the Grand Scribe Ezra’s Office at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ before making Masonic contact overseas.

As with Craft Freemasonry, the Masonic Convention is that communications between Grand Chapters be performed by the Grand Scribes Ezra. Companions should therefore not attempt to make direct contact with the Grand Scribe Ezra of another Constitution without permission.

The travelling Companion should take his Grand Chapter Certificate and Clearance Certificate from his Chapter(s) with him when he has been given permission to visit Chapters abroad.

English Constitution Chapters should also check with the Grand Scribe Ezra’s Office before hosting a Companion from an overseas Chapter, ensuring that their visitor is from an acceptable Constitution. The visiting Companion must have his Grand Chapter Certificate with him and a Clearance Certificate from his Chapter(s), or alternatively, his Dues Card.

As an additional requirement, Companions visiting from the Swedish or Scandinavian Rite must, in addition to the above requirements, have completed their Sixth Degree in that system in order to qualify to attend an English Royal Arch meeting.

New presentations have been developed and can be delivered to Lodges at their Regular meetings by permission of the Provincial Grand Master and we will be contacting selected Lodge Secretaries shortly to seek their agreement to host an event within their Masonic centre.

A presentation aimed at Brethren who have not yet taken the Step into the Royal Arch has now been arranged by Chapter of Fortitude No 43 at their Convocation on 12th February 2013 where they will have a short Royal Arch Meeting and then invite the Brethren into the Chapter to receive a presentation by the Deputy Grand

Superintendent, E Comp Rex J Lowin, about the Royal Arch and the link with Craft Masonry.

The format of the evening will see the Deputy Grand Superintendent give an address covering the history of the order and its relationship with the Craft, following which senior members of both Royal Arch and Craft Provinces, will share their own  experiences. There will be ample time for questions and answers and it is anticipated that the event will last until around 7.30pm.An informal three course dinner will then be available allowing further discussion with the Provincial team as well as the Chapter members.

The Lodge RA Representatives whose role is to encourage new members have been requested to assist in promoting this event to their Brethren who have not yet joined the Royal Arch. Ideally they should make contact with them by telephone or in person rather than just send the attachment to them. A personal approach as we all understand will always generate a better response.

We are aware that this is short notice and ask you to deal with this promptly for which we thank you. Please make every effort to ensure members from your Lodge attend this enjoyable event.

Full details are given on the flyer which can be downloaded here. Completion of the Quest

Any Lodges interested in hosting a Brethrens’ Evening, should contact the Provincial Scribe E. E Comp. John Handley to discuss the requirements and confirm their interest, on: johnfrhandley@gmail.com

The Festival is a demonstration of the Warwickshire working of the ceremony of Exaltation, by Companions of the Province below the rank of Chapter Principal, drawn from several different Chapters. This demonstration is particularly relevant to newer members of the Order but just as relevant to all those who hold office in their own Chapter.  It is important that the participants are Companions and all MEZs are therefore requested to encourage those Companions below the Principal Chairs to consider getting involved. 

The MEGS will as usual issue a special invitation to all Companions below the Chairs attending to join him at the President’s Reception prior to dinner. 

The MEGS hopes that Companions in the Province will support this event and arrange a party from their Chapter. Booking forms can be downloaded from the link below and will be sent to Chapter Scribe Es electronically in late January.  Bookings should be made with E.Comp. N.T. Malden, on 0121 308 5735.

Download the booking form here 2013 GCI applic form

In support of the RA 2013 BiCentenary Appeal for the Royal College of Surgeons a Provincial Garden Party will be held on Sunday 23rd June 2013 at the home of E Comp Brian and Mrs Pat Holdsworth – Terets Farm, Rising Lane, Lapworth, B94 6JE.

This will be a very special event with all the traditional aspects of an English Garden Party – champagne, strawberries, cake stalls, games, afternoon teas, raffles, music etc. giving lots of opportunities for a very relaxed, pleasant afternoon. There will be lots for children to do so bring the grand kids for a great afternoon. We have lots of space for them to run around and we may even organise a game of rounders or cricket to keep them happy whilst the grown ups enjoy a cold drink or two.

The aim of the Garden Party is to raise funds towards the 2013 Bicentenary Appeal for the Royal College of Surgeons.  This will be the actual day when the RCS celebrates its 150th Anniversary so it is appropriate that we will be holding this fund raising event .  Members of the Royal College of Surgeons have been invited to join us which will enable them to chat to the attendees at an informal and happy gathering.

Guests can arrive from 12.30am and the Garden Party will be officialy opened by the ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp John Saint at 1.30pm.

Full details and a booking form will be available for download soon and of course will be sent to Chapter Scribe Es for distribution to their members.

The MEGS is very keen that all his Chapters give good support to the event through the attendance of the Chapter Principals and Companions.  He wants it to be a huge success and show that the Royal Arch can host a wonderful event which can give not only an enjoyable occasion but can raise a good sum for this very important Appeal.

So, put the date in your diary, dust off the panama hats and cravats, get your partner’s best straw hat out and get ready to have a really good day!

Full details will appear here soon.