Provincial meetings story collection: Grand Superintendent’s Royal Arch address

At the Provincial Grand Chapter meeting, the Grand Superintendent had this to say to those present:

“Good morning, Companions,

Welcome to you all and it’s good to see so many here today to join together in companionship at our annual meeting, particularly our guests from other Provinces. I appreciate you taking the time to visit us.

There are some interesting developments ahead. Nationally, the Archway project is gaining real momentum and the shared aim of ‘one journey, one organisation’ with a consistent narrative is now becoming a reality which will surely attract and retain companions in the Royal Arch.

Locally, in addition to our own Royal Arch focus group, I have introduced a Strategy Working Group chaired by Excellent Companion John Crutchley. The purpose of this group is to promote the UGLE Strategy, tackle the Membership Challenge and to ensure the future of our Province. I will also continue with a series of initiatives to encourage our Master Masons to want to join the Royal Arch and not feel they haveto join. You will all have heard me say that our Master Masons should become companions, ‘when the time is right for them’.

I now wish to recognise the magnificent contribution of Excellent Companion David Bird who has been my deputy for the last five years and deputy to Graham Ives before that. His work will continue in the Province when he becomes Assistant Provincial Grand Master later today but I wanted to take a moment to thank David personally for his continued enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to our Province.

Indeed, David’s contribution to the Royal Arch was rewarded with a promotion at the SGC investiture in April to Past Grand Scribe Nehemiah, a very senior rank.

He was joined at the investiture meeting by:

Excellent Companion John Hockin – Past Asst G Soj

Excellent Companion Noel Fisher – Past Grand St. Bearer

Excellent Companion John Grimwood – Past ADC

Excellent Companion David Metcalf – Past ADC

I congratulate them all on their promotions and appointments.

I also welcome Excellent Companion Mike Rix as Deputy Grand Superintendent and Steve Roberts as Second  Provincial Grand Principal to our team. Mike, your work as Second Provincial Grand Principal has been outstanding and I have no doubt you will continue to support the Province and myself in the future. Steve, I know you will enjoy your new role immensely. Finally, I thank Michael Carter for continuing as 3^rdProvincial Grand Principal. I look forward to working with you all as part of our very close-knit team in the year ahead.

I also congratulate those who have been promoted and appointed today, particularly those who are on the new Provincial team and I look forward to being with you all on our visits to come.

I thank those who were on the active team last year for their wonderful support. I feel very proud to be your Grand Superintendent, never more so when processing in to a Chapter with the active team present in such numbers.

Finally, I thank everyone who has been involved in ensuring today has been such a success from those in the Provincial office, who have worked so hard making the arrangements, to all those involved in setting up the rooms and tidying up after we all leave. It really has been a superb team effort.

In closing, Companions, I look forward to spending time with you before lunch. For those not staying for the Craft meeting this afternoon, have a safe journey home and I look forward to seeing you in the not too-distant future.

Thank you, Companions.”

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