All Principals and Past Principals of Chapters of the Province and those who have duties to discharge are expected to be in attendance.  Companions are also invited. 

A Dinner at a cost of £25.00 per person will follow the meeting.  Applications for dining tickets including a cheque (payee “Provincial Grand Chapter of Warwickshire) are to be sent to the Provincial Assistant Grand Scribe E, Andrew Cooke on the appropriate booking form which can be downloaded from the link below. 

All Companions in the Province are encouraged to attend this special occasion.  There is no charge to attend the meeting and no requirement to stay for the dinner afterwards but it is hoped that Companions will stay to enjoy the Companionship.

Current Officers of Provincial Grand Chapter and those to be appointed or promoted who are unable to attend the Annual Convocation should inform the Provincial Grand Scribe E, E.Comp John Handley as soon as possible.

Annual Convocation Calling Notice 2012 Web

Copies of both documents can be downloaded here:

Sample letter to Lodge RA Reps Mar 2012

Q1 2012 Briefing Note for RA Reps

Athol Royal Arch Chapter No 74 is 150 years old this year and its birthday was celebrated at their regular Convocation on Monday 16th April 2012.  The Chapter is the second oldest in the Province and has influenced the growth and progress of the Royal Arch in Warwickshire during its life time.

At a delightful meeting the anniversary was celebrated in true style with the Exaltation of a new member which was done in an exemplary manner and which brought much praise from the bevy of visitors who supported the event.

The Chapter Scribe E, E Comp Nigel Bister gave a history of the founding of the Chapter which included an explanation of the reason that the Consecration meeting took place in 1862, some two years after the Charter had been granted.

The ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp John L Saint responded to his Toast at the Festive Board and outlined the creation of what we now refer to as Athol Lodges and Chapters and congratulated the Chapter on its unbroken record of 150 years service.

The Chapter has extended an invitation to all Companions in the Province to join them at their Regular meetings to witness the differences in their ritual compared with the current Warwickshire.  Visitors are most welcome to visit the Chapter at any of their meetings and should contact the Scribe E. Comp Nigel Bister for details of their meetings and reservations on 0121 308 4419 or by email to: nigelbister@talktalk.net

E Comp Rex J Lowin, Greville Chapter No 4773
to Past Grand Sword Bearer 

E Comp David J F Rawlins, Howe Chapter No 587
to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner

First appointments confirmed are: 
E Comp Philip Laurence Hall, Loyal Travellers Chapter No 2733
to Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies

E Comp Alan J Wellan, Swan of Avon Chapter No 2133
to Past Grand Standard Bearer 

E.Comp John F R Handley, Holte Chapter No 1246
to Past Grand Standard Bearer 

To them all, are extended sincere congratulations.

The Provincial DC and the rest of the DC team are always happy to answer questions but hope the Guide is useful.

The Guidelines can be downloaded here Royal Arch Festive Board Seating Guidance Notes

A beautiful country church in historic grounds

The Provincial Grand Chaplain for Staffordshire, E Comp Rev Stephen Wright led the service which had the theme “The Whole Armour of God”.  It was a lovely service and greatly enjoyed by all who attended.  The Provincial Chaoir under the direction of the Provincial Organist, E Comp Roy Marshal enhanced the occasion with their wonderful music and added to a very enjoyable day.  

Afternoon tea was served as usual at The Kings Court Hotel which rounded off a superb Royal Arch afternoon of convivial companionship.  

A key item is the programme for a celebratory Convocation on 16th October 2013. There will be a lunch in the Grand Connaught Rooms, followed by the Convocation to be held later in the afternoon in the Grand Temple, in the presence of the First Grand Principal, followed by a guest dinner to be hosted by him at The Savoy Hotel in the evening. Details of who will be able to attend each event will be communicated by the Grand Superintendent, in due course.

Another important element in the programme is a fund raising exercise over the next three years to provide a permanent reminder of the celebrations. The amount raised will be used to create a Research Fund for the benefit of the Royal College of Surgeons, which is to be administered at no extra cost alongside the Craft’s 250th Anniversary Fund for the purposes of research by the Royal College. A presentation by members of the Royal College about their research work, was given at the November 2010 Convocation at which the Royal Arch Masons 2013 Bicentenary Appeal for the benefit of their Surgical Research Fellowship Scheme was launched.

Grand Lodge has always supported the Royal College since its foundation in 1800 and, more specifically, since the 250th Fund was set up in 1967 to provide support for the Fellowship Scheme. The Appeal will reinforce Supreme Grand Chapter’s support for this vital work, bearing in mind that the Royal College is a registered charity, receives no direct funding from the NHS, and relies heavily on voluntary contributions; it is fair to say that this is how they prefer to operate.

A Relief Chest with the Grand Charity has been opened into which all donations will go. The aim over the next three years or so, is to raise a minimum of £10.00 from every Companion; which is a little over £3 a year, and would raise more than one million pounds. Gift Aid will be able to be claimed on individual donations, so we hope that Chapter donations will incorporate this additional amount. Leaflets will be distributed to all members through Freemasonry Today, and to every Companion by London, Province or District.

The final Fund will be overseen by Supreme Grand Chapter, through appointed Trustees, and used to provide specific Research Fellowships in the same tried and tested way as the 250th Anniversary Fund and at no extra cost. This will, in due course, be of benefit all Royal Arch Masons, or those near and dear to them.

Further announcements will follow confirming the arrangements for this new fund.  Copies of the leaflet issued by Supreme Grand Chapter can be downloaded here.

All who attended agreed that it had been a lovely night with good companionship!

The next meeting of the Chapter will be on Monday 18th June 2012.

After paying tribute to his contribution to the Province and he was pleased to confirm that E. Comp. Rex J. Lowin, PGStB. would continue as Deputy Grand Superintendent. 

The current Provincial Grand Haggai, E. Comp. Stephen J Fowler, PGStB. who has held his current office for two years and has fulfilled twelve years continuous service in Provincial office will retire and in his stead E. Comp. John F. Norman, PGStB PProvGJ will be appointed as Provincial Second Grand Principal.

This was the 50th Anniversary of the Principal’s Dinner and as part of the celebration a Demonstration of the Ceremony of the Veils had been arranged, led by the Provincial Grand Joshua, E. Comp. Fred Coldrick and performed by the Provincial Officers.

After a fine dinner the ME Grand Superintendent commenced hyis speech which reported on the state of Royal Arch masonry in Warwickshire.  Whilst the Province was in good heart, the trend of reducing numbers of members is continuing and the number of Royal Arch Companions had fallen below 1,500 for the first time which has an impact on the number of Provincial Acting Appointments that can be granted.  There were still two thirds of the Craft Masons in our Lodges who were not members of the Royal Arch.

The Strategy Committee and Lodge Representatives Committee were working hard to develop new initiatives and material such as booklets and leaflets to promote membership.  However, these did not on their own generate enquiries from Companions wanting to join the Royal Arch.  The most valuable method is still by personal contact with potential members and he encouraged everyone attending to identify and approach a possible candidate.

After finishing his address by confirming the names of the new Provincial Principals for the next Masonic year (reported seperately), he closed and then a broad range of questions were posed and answered by the Provincial RA Executive.

A good night, with good food, good company and a real feeling of Companionship!