Somerset First Principals Install new Z
The first Chapter meeting of the new season in Somerset didn’t start too well. The rehearsal for the meeting was held at Bridgwater Masonic Hall, at 10:00, well may be a little bit later. On entering the lodge room it was soon realised that it was set up for a Craft Meeting. Lots of questions regarding setting it up for a Chapter meeting when no one had a key to the cupboards to get the furniture of the chapter out. Don’t panic, lets do the rehearsal and someone will find someone with a key! We managed to get over half way through the rehearsal when the keys were found then, with minutes to spare, it was assembled and the convocation could begin.
With stand ins for Z and J, Scribe N, 1st Assistant Sojourner and Assistant DC the ceremony started. The three Principals – MEZ (acting) Ray Beckingham, H Richard Ellis and J (acting) Maldwyn Davies – entered the chapter. They then opened the Chapter before E Comp Clive Lambert, Deputy Grand Superintendent in charge, was welcomed by MEZ.
There then followed a eulogy by E Comp Clive for E Comp Barry K Woodside, MEGS, then another given by MEZ for E Comp Michael Walsingham. The companions then stood in memory of departed merit.
MEZ then welcomed representatives of First Principals Chapters from Cornwall, Devon and Dorset then to First Principals of Somerset Chapters. A ballot was carried out for new members and this proved clear.
The main event was to Install the new Principals of the Chapter but only E Comp Richard Ellis was in attendance, he was duly presented to MEZ, by the DC, E Comp Adrian Halliwell, who then Inducted Richard into the Chair of Zerubbabel. E Comp Richard then appointed the Officers of the Chapter.
E Comp Clive then gave the Address to the Principals, E Comp David Parslow to the Officers and E Comp Matt Westley in his theatrical way to the Companions of the Chapter.
MEZ then gave a most interesting talk on the Brest Jewel of the Royal Arch, passing around jewels from his personal collection. Very interesting to see the changes through the centuries and those from other nations.
