Provincial Grand Lodge of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings

Chapter

W Bro James E T Massey

It has been announced that the RW Provincial Grand Master would be pleased to appoint W Bro James ET Massey Provincial Grand Secretary at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on Saturday 12th May 2012.

In his capacity as ME Grand Superintendent E Comp Richard John Anderson will also appoint E Comp Massey as Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra with effect from the same date.

E Comp Massey will be invested at the Regular Meeting of De Brus Chapter on Tuesday 12th June 2012.

The Veils performs to Sell-Out Audience

Veils
The Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter of Yorkshire North and East Ridings Lecture Team, who presented The Ceremony of the Veils and The Domatic Lecture

An audience of approximately 150 Chapter Masons, which included the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, his Deputy and the Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals and honoured guests from our own and other Provinces, filled the ballroom of Northallerton’s Golden Lion Hotel to capacity, to receive a striking performance of the Ceremony of the Veils and The Domatic Lecture, performed by members of the Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter, hosted by the White Horse Installed Principals Chapter, No 9807.

The colourful and meaningful demonstration of “The Ceremony of the Veils", which was performed on Wednesday the 2nd November 2011, was similar to that practiced before 1834, as a preliminary to the Exaltation Ceremony and has until now been restricted to the Province of Bristol. However the Supreme Grand Chapter has now authorised each Province to organise such a demonstration on an infrequent basis, so interest was high in a unique opportunity to see this ancient ceremony, which is not likely to be repeated until the Spring of 2013.

It was twinned with a lively presentation of "The Domatic Lecture", which gave an insight into the events and characters behind the Royal Arch Ritual and included an exposition of the "Julian Legend."
Judging from the response of the audience, they thoroughly enjoyed their advancement in Masonic knowledge; so much so that their collective charity giving at the event raised over £800.00.

An Unusual Presentation at Wilberforce Chapter

The November meeting of Wilberforce Chapter in Beverley saw a visit by the Second Provincial Grand Principal and a team of active Provincial Officers.

The Team were fortunate to witness a quite spectacular exaltation ceremony performed in Humber ritual with the 'Wilberforce twis't. At the after meeting, David Johnstone, Scribe E of the Chapter, presented Denis Stubley, The Second Provincial Grand Principal, with a bottle of 'Dr. Stubley's Original Oral Rejuvative and Lightening Goat Purge'. This is apparently effective against virtually all known oral diseases and bloat, for use in his day job at his dental practice.

A commemorative framed certificate was also presented with an image of the bottle label bearing a strange resemblance to the Second Principal but wearing a rather bushy beard. Denis has now been left to contemplate the necessary fee to charge for this rather unique treatment.

Wilberforce

Denis with Kevin Lyons, First Principal of the Chapter and David Johnstone.

Marwood Chapter Celebrates 150 years of Royal Arch Masonry.

Monday 7th June 2011 saw Marwood Chapter celebrate the 150th anniversary of it's consecration. The meeting was honoured with the presence of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, The Deputy Grand Superintendent and The Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals along with a large team of acting Provincial Officers.

A presentation was given by E. Comp. Les Sinden, Scribe E of the Chapter outlining the history of the Chapter and some notable members, both past and present. This was followed by an extremely enjoyable meal where everyone present were the guests of the Chapter.

The Chapter takes it's name from George Marwood who was Grand Superintendent between 1858 and 1866 during which time the Chapter was consecrated.

The photograph shows the Three Principals of the Chapter together with the MEGS, Deputy MEGS and Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals.

Marwood

Photo L to R John Ridgill Trout Dep GS, Howard Newton (Prov J), Richard J. Anderson MEGS,
Geoff Mankin Z, Bill Ellington H, Bob Fairbairn J, Denis Raymond Stubley (Prov H ).

ANNUAL CONVOCATION OF PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER

On Saturday 24th September 2011, Distinguishes guests and Companions from across the Province joined the ME Grand Superintendent, Richard John Anderson, for the Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter at the York Race Course.
Following the usual business, the ME Grand Superintendent re-appointed, appointed and invested his Officers of the year and those conferred with a first or second appointment or promotion.

The ME Grand Superintendent then gave his address to the Companions with his usual enthusiasm and appropriate humour, welcoming distinguished guest and all the Companions present. In this address he announced the launch of a one year appeal in aid of the Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship Scheme, coinciding with that of Supreme Grand Chapter for the 2013 appeal. The appeal would conclude in September 2012, and he hopes that all Chapters and Companions will support this worthy cause, with a wish for a target donation of £20,000. He also took the opportunity of personally thanking various people around the Province for all their hard work during the previous year and in particular to Linda and Marie of the ’virtual office’.

Following his address, the ME Grand Superintendent called off Provincial Grand Chapter and representatives from the Royal College of Surgeons in the persons of Martyn Coomer, Andrew Rafferty, and three recipients of the Fellowship scheme, Christina Lo, Quentin Nunes and Surgeon Lt. Commander Catherine Doran entered the meeting. A brief outline of the work carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons was given followed by three excellent presentations from the fellows about their individual research studies. There is a DVD available, from E Comp. Derek Gaunt (via Provincial Office), about the work of the RCS and is available to Chapters (and Lodges) to show to members and their Ladies should they wish.

The Chapter was called on and the business concluded.

The ME Grand Superintendent attended lunch together with distinguished guest, member of the RCS and Companions. He announced that the collection, including the gift aid adjustment, amounted to a magnificent £2558, which would be ring-fenced for the RCS Fellowship Scheme appeal.

Full details of the ME Grand Superintendent’s address and the minutes of the meeting will appear in due course in the Provincial Handbook.

ACPGC

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent pictured with representatives from the
Royal College of Surgeons.

Address PGC Sept 2011

E Comp and Companions welcome to Provincial Grand Chapter.

It is, as always, good to see so many of you here this morning. Many of you are regular attendees at our Annual Convocation so you know what to expect. I extend to those here for the first time either receiving Provincial Honours or supporting some other Companions or indeed just to find out what happens a special welcome and I hope at the end of the meeting you will feel it was worthwhile.

To the recent exaltees with us this morning I would ask you allow time, perhaps even a couple of years, to watch, listen and learn about what is a very meaningful attractive and I hope friendly completion of pure ancient masonry.

I congratulate those Companions just appointed or promoted in Provincial Grand Chapter. Enjoy your preferment but remember we are all judged by the way you conduct your relationships with the Companions of your Chapter. I suggest gentle diplomacy rather than harsh insistence. Perhaps now is a good time to revisit the Book of Constitutions to remind yourselves of what Companions will expect you to know. Do not be afraid to admit you don’t know, offering to find an answer is a safe way forward and beats guessing every time.

We have been considering how best to adopt the benefits of mentoring as demonstrated in the Craft and how to adapt the concept to the Royal Arch which has different needs but believe me it has needs. For those Chapters who have not already gone down the mentoring route I have decided to try a simple approach and designate the MEZ as the principal mentor in our Chapters and to expect him to appoint a suitable Companion to be the personal Mentor of each new exaltee. Experience suggests that it may take some time for the ritual in the Royal Arch to be fully appreciated and understood and having a Mentor to support and encourage the new Companion and to whom questions can be addressed is likely to be a help in achieving this understanding. A letter enlarging on this proposal will be sent to all Scribe E’s next week

9 November is a date for your diaries being the regular visit from this Province to SGC and this year we are lunching afterwards at Grand Connaught Rooms.

The other date now less important is 2 November when for the first time in this Province a demonstration of the Ceremony of the Veils will take place – not too much to say on this as the event is completely sold out. We had an initial limit of 120 but increased to 140 and have a long waiting list. Next presentation is likely to be in 2013 as SGC has imposed restrictions on the frequency of such a presentation in order that it is seen as unique and special. Comp Jim Lackenby lead this as Provincial Ruler with Paul Harper as Z of Stewards Chapter and Mike Minter did the work!! (as Scribe E). Invitations to act as hosts of the next presentation will be happily received after this year’s event.

As always I extend a warm welcome to all our guests but more especially to my fellow Grand Superintendents. From Lincolnshire I welcome Graham Ives and from Durham Norman Eric Heavisde. We are delighted to have deputations (large deputations) from Yorkshire West Riding, Northumberland, Cumberland & Westmorland and from East Lancashire – we are delighted to see you all with us after many a long journey.

Companions it is always a delight to have with us, as we do today, our own Past Grand Superintendent who celebrated 50 years in the craft just last Wednesday. Please welcome John Raylor, The Heads of other Orders who are able to be with us despite many claims on their time are Comp Eric Gore-Browne ProvGM of the Mark degree, Comp David Scott the Grand Superintendent of Knights Templar Priests and Comp David Fox Intendant General of the \red Cross of Constantine.

Like other years we say goodbye to some key players.

I have already thanked our 3rd Prov G Principal Jim Lackenby and we now
say farewell today to our man from Cyprus and GCHQ – Terry Lister who has given us 4 years of friendship while acting as Prov G.D.C. I have heard it said that he will be a hard act to follow. Andy Hitchen his successor does not look too worried about the challenge.
The new DepGDC is Stuart Dick who brings considerable experience to that role.

I thank all who have represented me - Asst to Provincial Grand Principals Nigel Weightman, Scribe N Maurice Garmston and Registrar Ian Pollard, Past Officers and Grand Officers. We had a happy day at Supreme Grand Chapter in April when the Pro1st Grand Principal invested David Burnett to acting rank of AGDC, John Barlow and Andy Hitchen to PGStB with Nick Varey being promoted to PAGSoj.

I also want to record the appreciation of all of us here today for the work done by our Scribe E Brian Baker Gerald Gelder and the girls Linda and Marie in making all the administrative arrangements for today. Likewise to our Director of Ceremonies and his deputies as well as the vast number of Companions and Brethren from the Stewards Chapter and Lodge.

Companions I was at the Quarterly meeting of Grand Lodge 10 days ago and was so impressed with the address given by the Deputy Grand Master RWBro Jonathan Spence deputising for the Pro Grand Master that I feel that I must draw your attention to his very gifted statement. You can read it for yourselves in the Internet website www.freemasonrytoday.com

Quote We need to be absolutely clear when we discuss our Pure Ancient Masonry that we belong to a secular organisation, that is to say a non-religious organisation
Quote The fact that men from different faiths can meet easily in harmony and friendship without compromising their particular religious beliefs demonstrates that one of the greatest strengths of the Craft and indeed Royal Arch is that of Tolerance

Quote I suggest that we could articulate the fundamental principles to which our members subscribe as integrity honesty fairness kindness and tolerance
Quote We should also make it very clear that we very much enjoy ourselves and what we do. I have no doubt our principles will appeal to those who are not masons, if they are aware of them

Companions I sense that Royal Arch masonry is fit and well in this Province and at the Chapters I have been privileged to visit this year I found happy groups of Companions making every effort to ensure enjoyable meetings. I suggest that the Quality of enjoyment of our Chapter meetings is more important than the Quantity of members.

Companions I enjoy my role as Grand Superintendent although at times it is somewhat demanding. With the help of my team we will continue to try and give you every assistance to develop your Chapters and raise the level of both activity and enjoyment.

Thank you

And so I move to the 2013 Appeal

Companions in 1717 the first Grand Lodge was formed and as you know we will be celebrating that 300th birthday in 2017.

In 1813 the warring factions known as the Antients and the Moderns finally came together and what is now the United Grand Lodge of England and shortly afterwards Supreme Grand Chapter were born..

While Craft masonry has over the 300 years been busy with many major projects for the good of humanity the Royal Arch has not felt the need to emulate this activity.

However a 200th birthday is a bit special and it has, as many of you know, been decided to mark this milestone with a national appeal to raise, for the Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship Scheme the equivalent of £10 plus gift aid per member (about perhaps £1million) between now and October 2013 when the appeal will close and the total fund handed over.

While I look to your support for this Appeal I am minded to issue a challenge to the Companions of this Province to raise £20,000 being our contribution to the appeal but to do it by the end of the convocation in September 2012 - i.e. in one year. I am therefore asking for the equivalent of less than £1 per month from each of our members.

It seems a great excuse for some fun events and I am sure that each Chapter will find a unique way to gather their contribution. Indeed some Chapters are already some way down that route. Before I ask you to accept this challenge let us call off Provincial Grand Chapter and invite our guests from the Royal College to join us.

Provincial Grand Chapter was called off and a presentation was made by representatives of the Royal College of Surgeons.

I think you have had all the encouragement you need to support this 2013 appeal. After that splendid and emotional presentation I want you to show appreciation in two ways.

Firstly let us go away committed to find about £10 each in the next 12 months. I suggest your thunderous applause would confirm your commitment.

Secondly words cannot adequately express our appreciation of the presence of the presenters here at the Racecourse on a Saturday morning even if they are staying for lunch. I think it would suffice to show our appreciation to the members of the Royal College in the time honoured way – long standing ovation.

Chapter

Denis Stubley (2nd Prov. Grand Principal), Richard Anderson, (Most Excellent Grand Superintendant) John Trout (Deputy Grand Superintendant) and Howard Newton (3rd Prov. Grand Principal)

The Domatic Lecture performed at Roseberry

The Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter Demonstration Team performed an interactive demonstration of The Domatic Lecture at the recent meeting of the Roseberry Chapter of Installed Principals.

The presentation consists of involving members of the host Chapter to perform by reading their respective offices. The format was well received by a rather large audience.

The team are available on request to perform at any Chapter within our Province to provide a rather different and extremely entertaining evening.

Lecture

The photograph shows the team leader, Tony Dyer with the Second Provincial Grand Principal Denis Raymond Stubley,who is a member of the host Chapter and those team members who took part at this particular event, Terry Lister and Don Cook.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel

The Second Provincial Grand Principal was entertained by The Daggards at Sykes Chapter recently. The theme of the evening was The Twelve Tribes of Israel, which may sound dull but the presentation was far from being dull at all.

The thespian qualities of The Daggards made the subject very interesting indeed. They are available to perform upon request and those interested would be well advised to visit their web site www.thedaggards.co.uk to see the variety of enactments available.

Supreme Grand Chapter 2013 Appeal for the Royal College of Surgeons' Fund

At the recent Annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter, the ME Grand Superintendent, Richard John Anderson, announced his appeal for the following year in aid of the Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship Scheme. This money donated from now until September 2012 will be given to the Supreme Grand Chapter 2013 Festival Appeal for the RCS appeal fund.

During the meeting, two Executive members of the RCS, Martyn Coomer and Andrew Rafferty gave an overview of the work carried out by the Royal College and three Fellowship Scheme recipients, Christina Lo, Quentin Nunes and Surgeon Lt. Commander Catherine Doran gave a fascinating insight into their own particular research studies, ranging from the prevention of secondary cancer; pancreatic cancer and blood clotting problems. This was followed by a DVD showing the work of the Royal College, which is available to all Chapters and Lodges if they wish to show it to their members (and Ladies/family). It is available from E Comp. Derek Gaunt.

The Alms collection, including the gift aid, raised the fantastic sum of £2558, thanks to the generosity of the Companions present. This will be ring fenced for the appeal.
The ME Grand Superintendent hopes that Chapters and Companions will be as generous as they can be in supporting this very worthwhile appeal in the same way as they were for the Prostate Cancer Appeal.

Magic time had by all

The first Saturday in March is always the occasion of the Provincial Chapter Dinner. This year’s event was held at York Racecourse with 200 people attending and enjoying the superb catering with entertainment offered by table magicians of Hull Magic Circle.

Magic
Our photograph shows the Grand Superintendent, his wife Sue and Mrs John Raylor enjoying one of the conjuring tricks."

Bruce Hogg gives 50 years of service to The Royal Arch

Tuesday, 1st March 2011, was a special night at Erimus Chapter, when Bruce Hogg was presented with a certificate to commemorate his 50 years of service to Royal Arch Masonry by the Second Provincial Grand Principal, Denis Stubley

During the presentation, the Companions of the Chapter heard about Bruce’s distinguished career both as a Freemason and outside Masonry – in particular, the detailed memory he had of his early years in Masonry in the 1960s.

Bruce Hogg

The photograph shows; (l to r) Bruce Hogg and Denis Stubley with the Principals of Erimus Chapter, Bryan Campbell, H, Stephen Allen, Z, and Ian Rankin, J.

Chapter Greets Craft

The Provincial Chapter Greets Craft Team gave a presentation to Vulcan Lodge No.4510 at their annual Burns night celebration.

The team aim to give three or four presentations to lodges in each masonic year.

The intention is to attend meetings in different parts of the province to enable as many craft masons as possible to attend and witness the story and history of the Royal Arch.

The team is conducted by Denis Stubley, the Second Provincial Grand , who addresses the lodge members at the after meeting, to answer any questions which arise about the Royal Arch to further increase the understanding of this Supreme Degree.

Chapter

The photograph shows team members (l to r) Stuart Dick, Ian Tissington, Denis Stubley and David Chambers