The History of Worcestershire Provincial Grand Chapter
Royal Arch History
It is generally recognised that the Royal Arch was practised as part of the Third Degree for many years, and it was regarded by the Antients as a fourth degree, which they conferred in their own Lodges. The Moderns held a different view, as the degree was performed unofficially, without the sanction of the Premier Grand Lodge, which led to the formation of separate Royal Arch Chapters. In 1766, the Charter of Compact was signed, and with that, the Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem was formed. This was the direct parent to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of today. The Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch was declared to be a part of pure Antient Masonry by the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges in 1813. It is organised however as a separate Order, distinct from the Craft degrees to which it belongs and the teaching that it completes.
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( MEZ, H, J, and Scribe E Headdresses worn in 1844)
Worcestershire Provincial Library and Museum
The word Companion is derived from two Latin terms "cum" meaning "with" in the sense of being together, and "panis" meaning "bread". Someone with whom you shared your bread was one who could be trusted with your life, and it suggests a higher affinity than that of a Brother. It is a particularly apt description of a member of the Royal Arch, who has a duty to support and encourage his Companions and attain a high standard of conduct in his personal life.
The Order of the Holy Royal Arch is said to be the completion of Craft Masonry because we complete the Master Mason's degree and recover what was missing from that ceremony. It has, however, a far deeper meaning. In the symbolic sense, the three Degrees correspond to our passage from darkness to light, our progress from ignorance to knowledge and understanding, and loss with the promise of recovery. The Royal Arch is consequently an integral part of Craft Freemasonry because it completes the symbolism by making good the promise of recovery.
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Grand Superintendents of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire:
| 1812 | John Dent, MP |
| 1853 | Henry Charles Vernon |
| 1856 | Albert Hudson Royds |
| 1880 - 1894 | Sir A. H. Lechmere, Bart, MP |
| 1895 - 1906 | Sir Augustus Frederick Godson, MA, MP |
| 1909 - 1918 | General Sir William Campbell, KCB |
| 1919 - 1933 | William T. Page |
| 1934 - 1954 | Seth S. Somers, OBE |
| 1955 - 1963 | Rev. J. E. Grosvenor, MBE, TD |
| 1963 - 1982 | F. H. Griffiths, OStJ |
| 1983 - 1992 | Edward F. Hanson, JP |
| 1993 - 2004 | Barrie Michael Cooper, JP |
| 2004 - | Richard Brian Ward Price, BSc |
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Deputy Grand Superintendents of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire since its inception:
| 1973 - 1978 | L. F. Heynes, MM, CdeG |
| 1978 - 1983 | E. F. Hanson, JP |
| 1983 - 1993 | Dr. H. John White, JP |
| 1993 - 2004 | T. V. Condlyffe |
| 2005 | C. E. S. Harris |
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Holy Royal Arch Chapters in Worcestershire to which Centenary Warrants have been granted:
Chapter Name and Number |
Consecrated |
Centenary Warrant |
| Dudley 252 (originally 313) | 13. 12. 1844 |
1944 |
| St. Wulstans 280 (originally 349) | 18. 12. 1844 | 1958* |
| Royal Standard 498 (originally 730) | 25. 10. 1844 |
1954 |
| Semper Fidelis 529 | 09. 04. 1890 | 1990 |
| Godson 2385 | 20. 07. 1897 | 1997 |
| Masefield 2034 | 22. 10. 1897 |
1997 |
| Hope and Charity 377 | 08. 09. 1891 |
1999* |
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Installation of Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
On a very wintery morning on Thursday 29th January 2004 at the Three Counties Showground
at Malvern in Worcestershire, Masefield Chapter's Excellent Companion Richard
B W Price, BSc., PAGDC was installed as the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
in and over the Province of Worcestershire.
The ceremony was rehearsed
by the Grand Director of Ceremonies assisted by two Assistant Grand Directors
of Ceremonies. The Ruling M E Z's of the following Chapters of Worcestershire
formed an escort:- 252, 280, 377, 498, 529 & 560. M E Z of Masefield Chapter
acted as Chain Bearer.
The Severn Hall at the Three Counties Show was
well filled and at 11.30am, Excellent Companion Richard B W Price was escorted
by the Ruling Zerrubabels into the assembled Provincial Grand Chapter and duly
installed as Grand Superintendent according to Ancient Custom by Most Excellent
Companion David Kenneth Williamson, Past Grand Third Principal assisted by other
Officers of Supreme Grand Chapter.
Most
Excellent Comp. Price then addressed the Chapter, including an outline of the
principles behind proposed changes to Royal Arch being discussed by Supreme Grand
Chapter and his own reflections.
The Grand Superintendent then invested
E Comp. T. Victor Condlyffe, P.G.Swd.B., as Deputy Grand Superintendent
and confirmed the appointment of the Provincial Second and Third Principals and
the other officers of Provincial Grand Chapter.
The Chapter was then
duly closed and the Grand Superintendent was escorted from the Chapter accompanied
by the Installing Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers.
History made at the Annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter
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PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL CONVOCATION HELD AT THE AVON ROOM, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM ON SATURDAY 10th APRIL 2006
The Convocation was attended by the Grand Superintendent and other Visiting Dignitaries including eight Grand Superintendents and other high ranking Officers from the Provinces of Warwickshire, Leicestershire & Rutland, South Wales Eastern Division, Devonshire, Staffordshire, Buckinghamshire, Monmouthshire, Berkshire, South Wales Western Division, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire, Gloucestershire & Herefordshire, Derbyshire, and Bristol. As well as over 260 Royal Arch Masons attending the Convocation, the Province was honoured by the presence of ME Companion George Pipon Francis, the Grand Second Principal, and it was also the last official visit of Richard Victor Wallis, the retiring Grand Superintendent of the Province of Warwickshire.
The Grand Superintendent Richard Brian Ward Price welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly the Grand Second Principal, and thanked all those Visiting Companions for their support. Not only was it the first Provincial Convocation that the Second Grand Principal had attended, but it was the first occasion that a Grand Principal had ever frequented Worcestershire's Provincial Annual Convocation and, in his response at the Festive Board, the Second Grand Principal stated that he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit.
The outgoing Provincial Grand Officers were thanked for their hard work during the year and the incoming Officers were invested.
E.Comp. G.R. Weston P.G.Std.B. was invested as the Third Provincial Grand Principal, and the outgoing Third Provincial Grand Principal, E.Comp. M.G. Taylor P.G.Std.B., delivered the 'Address to the Robe' to his successor.
Editorial - Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire Spring Ball
29th April 2006
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by E.Comp. Ian Fothergill, White Ensign Chapter No. 9169
In the words of Martin Luther King "I have a Dream". So it was with the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent over and of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire. His dream? To hold a Ladies Night for the Chapters of the Province.
Thus began months of planning and preparation to bring this dream to fruition. A Committee was formed led by E. Comp. Iain Sharrat, who was ably assisted by his lady Julie, and the plan gradually took shape. The venue was selected - The "Earls Suite" at the Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill, Dudley, the only 4* hotel in the area. A date was determined - Saturday 29th April 2006. A meal and programme of events were planned. Now, in the words of Sir Alan Sugar, "Go out and sell the idea".
The response from the Chapters and Companions of the Province was perhaps not as high as was initially hoped but, in the event, some 188 Companions and their Ladies took advantage of what proved to be a superb evening.
The venue was excellent and the deal that was struck in relation to the best rooms in the hotel was remarkable. The normal price for a Connoisseur Room from Monday to Friday is £280 with an extra charge for breakfast. The Companions and their Ladies paid just £60.00 for the same rooms, with full use of all the hotels facilities including the Leisure Centre and inclusive of a Full English Breakfast.
The "Earls Suite" was suitably dressed for the occasion and the ambiance and atmosphere were superb.
At 18:00 the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent with the Principals and Rulers and their Ladies received all the Companions and their Ladies in the Reception area and the evening started the way it was destined to continue.
The 5 course menu, quality of food, the selected wines and service were impeccable and during Dinner we were entertained by Elizabeth Keetley on keyboard and at appropriate intervals she accompanied Debbie Bennett, Mezzo Soprano; the girls are two former students of the Birmingham Conservatoire. Once again the quality of their performance was superb.
Following the Dinner the usual Toasts were drunk and a Charity Raffle Appeal took place, which raised the magnificent sum of £1,000 for the Provincial Festival in 2011.
The "decks were cleared" and dancing to the "Mainstreamers" began.
Yet again their quality of performance and music ensured that from 21:30 to 00:15 the floor was never empty; a sure indication that the evening had been an overwhelming success.
The die-hards then retired to the Bar and the Principals and Officers from the newest Chapter in the Province (White Ensign) were seen to be conducting a tasting tour of the Malts of Scotland. Their somewhat jaded appearance at breakfast next morning therefore being fully explained.
Given the quality of the whole event, the ticket price of £35.00, inclusive of a ½ bottle of wine per person, was considered by all as extremely reasonable. Congratulations are due to all those who assisted in the organisation of the Ball, and it truly can be said that our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent's dream and vision was very satisfactorily fulfilled.
The ‘New’ rises from the ‘Old’ - Consecration of the Old Bromsgrovian Chapter
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article by E.Comp. Barrie Simpson and John Phenix
The Province now has its 50th Chapter following the Consecration, on Saturday 3rd November 2007, of its newest member – the Old Bromsgrovian Royal Arch Chapter, No. 5743. The Consecration was undertaken by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Richard Price, assisted by the Deputy Grand Superintendent, Charles Harris; the Second Grand Principal Geoff Weston; and the Third Grand Principal, Mike Broome, all under the careful direction of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, John Phenix.
The Consecration was well supported by the attendance of the Grand Superintendents for Warwickshire and Staffordshire; three Past Grand Superintendents and many other distinguished visitors, including the Provincial Grand Master Richard Goddard, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Robert Vaughan together with the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, all of course active members of the Royal Arch.
The venue for the Consecration was Routh Hall, Bromsgrove School, into which some 160 Companions assembled for the Consecration Ceremony; which for many will be a unique masonic experience in their Royal Arch careers. The existence of the Provincial Choir came as a most pleasant surprise to many Companions, but their wonderful singing of three anthems during the consecration further enhanced the Ceremony. The First Principal of this new Chapter is E.Companion Richard Wallis, who is a Past Grand Superintendent of Warwickshire and also a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master of that Province. The Second Principal is E.Companion Bob Biddle, PProvGSoj (Warwickshire); and the Third Principal is E.Companion William Caswell, currently the First Principal of Perseverance Chapter, No. 455 (Northants. & Hunts.).
Following a memorable Consecration Ceremony the Companions were royally entertained by an excellent Festive Board within the School’s Dining Room. The Toast to the Province and the Toast to the new Chapter brought amusing anecdotes from the First Principal, E.Companion Richard Wallis and the M.E. Grand Superintendent, when the strongly contested rugby matches between King Edward’s School, Birmingham and Bromsgrove School were revisited and replayed to the enjoyment of the Companions. Those neutrals not involved in either camp believed that the result of the match was a well deserved and honourable draw. The Charity Collection, which was donated to the Worcestershire ‘Appeal 2011’ raised the magnificent sum of £703.
The Three Principals with the M E Grand Superintendent and his Senior Officers:
- Left to Right
- Keith Evans (DepPGDC)
- Geoff Weston (2nd ProvGP)
- Charles Harris (DepGSupt)
- Bob Biddle (“H”)
- Richard Wallis (“Z”)
- William Caswell (“J”)
- Richard Price (MEGrandSupt)
- Michael Broome (3rdProvGP)
- John Phenix (ProvGDC)
Provincial Grand Chapter Annual Convocation 12th April 2008
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By Command of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent.
The Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire was held at Birmingham University, under the banners of:
- The Stechford Chapter No. 3185.
- St. Edburgha Chapter No. 4621.
- Merston Curly Chapter No. 6879.
- Almacantar Chapter No. 7023.
- Francis Burgess Chapter No. 9287.
All currently subscribing Royal Arch Companions were invited to attend the Convocation, on Saturday 12th April 2008. The meeting opened at 11.00 am, and was followed by a luncheon at The University Staff House at 1.15 pm. The M.E. Grand Superintendent, R.B.W. Price, presided, at what is one of the most popular and enjoyable events of the Masonic Calendar.
Congratulations to all Companions receiving Provincial Honours, and especially to Excellent Companion H. France-Sargeant, P.G.Std.B., on his appointment to Third Provincial Grand Principal for the coming year.
The next Annual Convocation will take place on Saturday 18th April 2009.
