Royal Arch Matters

Granite Chapter Welcomes a Lewis into the Royal Arch

On 17th January 2022, Granite Chapter No.2028 held their 123rd meeting, which was a special occasion not only for their newest member but also for his father, who was present to welcome him into the Royal Arch.

Ryan Kirkpatrick joined St Deny’s Lodge on the 23rd February 2017, where his father has been a member since 2012. After patiently waiting for Freemasonry to resume, Ryan decided to join the Granite Chapter, where his father was only too pleased to visit and watch his son be exalted into the Royal Arch. To make the evening special, the Deputy Grand Superintendent, Paul Wallace stepped in to lead the Chapter for the evening, adding an extra dimension of expertise and experience to the proceedings.

Pictured Left to Right: Chris Dackombe, Ian Kirkpatrick, Ryan Kirkpatrick, Paul Wallace, Steve Adams.

Royal Arch Dinner Dance

On Saturday 29th January 2022, for the first time in two years, the Royal Arch Dinner Dance was able to take place at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester, with this year’s theme being a “Night at the Oscars”.

The evening was a great success, with over one hundred and twenty Companions, their partners, and friends, who enjoyed an excellent meal in a room decorated in black and gold. After the reception drinks were over, and the meal ended, those present were entertained to music from Oscar winning shows and films sung by the talented duo of Paul and Tamsin Grant-Reason.

All Change at the Chapter of the Flaming Torch

On Wednesday 2nd February 2022 the Chapter of the Flaming Torch held its annual installation meeting at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester.

The Chapter was very pleased to receive the Second Provincial Grand Principal Chris Packham as a guest and representative from the Province for the evening. Installing his successor, Alan Ball guided the evening extremely well, with the assistance Tom Mee, Martin Stevenson, and the Director of ceremonies Mark Street.

Pictured Left to Right: Mark Street, Tom Mee, Richard Barnett, Alan Ball.

As is usual for the Chapter of the Flaming Torch, the meeting and meal afterwards was a joyous occasion, with all those in attendance leaving in high spirits and looking forward to the next meeting.

The sing-along anthems then changed to music-to-dance-the-night-away, with many choosing to let their hair down and take residence on the dance floor for the rest of the evening. As the Grand Superintendent Noel Manby commented, “It was so lovely to see people enjoying themselves so much again.”

Pictured left to right: Second Provincial Grand Principal Chris Packham, Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Noel Manby, Third Grand Principal Gareth Jones, Third Provincial Grand Principal Jonathan Varley

Provincial Grand Chapter took place on Thursday 24th March 2022 at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester. On this occasion, the Province was honoured with the presence of the Third Grand Principal, Gareth Jones.

Provincial Grand Chapter 2022

As many Royal Arch Masons had only just begun to return to their Chapters, it was a special delight to be able to all meet again in the Oliver Lodge Room for the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter. At the meeting, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Noel Manby, had the pleasure of investing his newly appointed officers for the next twelve months and promoted others After the investitures had taken place, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent addressed all Companions, outlining his thoughts for Royal Arch Masonry in the coming year and encouraged members not only to look for potential candidates for the Order, but to look after all who are members of Royal Arch Masonry. The Third Grand Principal, Gareth Jones, then addressed the convocation with some of his thought-provoking ideas on the future of the Order and asked any of the Companions to speak to him at cocktails with their thoughts on what he had said. Several of those present availed themselves of this opportunity, ensuring that the voice of Leicestershire & Rutland Royal Arch Masons was well and truly heard.

Supreme Grand Chapter

Supreme Grand Chapter was held at Freemasons’ Hall, London, on Thursday 28th April 2022. On this occasion, many Companions from Leicestershire & Rutland were in attendance to support those attaining Grand Rank.

Fourteen Companions from the Province travelled to London for what proved to be a very memorable day. The Pro First Grand Principal, Peter Lowndes, took great pleasure in investing two of our Companions with Grand Rank. Mark Street of the Wayfarer Chapter No.8679, Chapter of the Flaming Torch No.4874, and the Leicestershire & Rutland Chapter of Installed First Principals, was invested as Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. Ian Johnson also received Grand Rank, being invested as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

The Pro First Grand Principal then turned his attention towards well deserved promotions. Michael Herbert was the recipient of a promotion to Past Grand Sojourner, and John Peberdy MBE was promoted to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner.

Pictured left to right: John Peberdy, Mark Street, Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Noel Manby, Deputy Grand Superintendent Paul Wallace.