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Holy Royal Arch Links |
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| H.R.A.
Provincial Grand Chapter Annual Dinner |
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 This
years Holy Royal Arch Provincial Grand Chapter dinner will be
held at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish, on Saturday 4th
August 2012 at 7:00pm for dinner at 7:30pm.
Our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent would like this
occasion to be shared by everyone and accordingly welcomes
ALL members of the Order especially this years Active team
and their wives/partners/friends to join him and his wife,
Lin, at this event.
To download a booking form please
CLICK
HERE |
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New Supreme Grand Chapter Appointments 2012 |
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Companions,
I am pleased to advise you of my newly appointed Grand
Officers, who will receive preferrment in April 2012.
First Appointments:
Anthony Lee Royal Naval Chapter 3337 to be PGStB
Robert C Munro Fortescue Chapter 847 to be PGStB
Michael J Twitchin Pleiades Chapter 710 to be PGStB
Promotions:
Terry H G Downe Chapter of St Mary 5148 to be PGSwdB
Ian A Moore Saint Aubyn Chapter 954 to be PAGSoj
E.Comp S.W. Rowe ME Grand Superintendent for Devonshire |
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Provincial meeting 12th November 2011 |
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The Annual Convocation held
at Riviera International Conference Centre Torquay for the
second year was again a great success.
The lunch, enjoyed by all, was so well attended by no less
than 13 Provinces, Distinguished Companions from the Craft
and other Degrees and Orders with an established Presence
here in Devonshire and over 300 of our own Companions.
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| Following lunch the Most
Excellent Grand Superintendent Opened Provincial Grand
Chapter. He warmly welcomed the Distinguished guests some of
which had travelled well over 100 miles to be with us to
celebrate the end of a successful first year with Excellent
Companion Simon Rowe as our Grand Superintendent. |
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| It was a most memorable
occasion when The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
presented Excellent Companion, Ken Winfield and Excellent
Companion Ron Goss with their Certificate of Service to the
Holy Royal Arch here in Devonshire: Following which he
Obligated, Invested and Entrusted The Second Provincial
Grand Principal, Excellent Companion Christopher Roach, The
Third Provincial Grand Principal, Excellent Companion Jeff
Bailey and The Deputy Grand Superintendent, Excellent
Companion Terry Downe. |
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| The Ceremony continued with
the most Excellent Grand Superintendent investing the Active
Officers, those Companions receiving a First Appointment in
Provincial Grand Chapter and promoting Companions who had
further contributed to the well being of the Holy Royal Arch
here in Devonshire. |
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In all a most enjoyable and
very happy occasion when those who were able to attend
witnessed a memorable ceremony most capably and
professionally directed and controlled by the Provincial
Grand Director of Ceremonies, Excellent Companion John
Sevieri ably supported by his well rehearsed team.
These photographs clearly show the enjoyment of the
Convocations and the relaxed moments at the informal get
together after the Ceremony.
BDK
Click here for more photographs courtesy of EComp John
Smerdon |
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Holy Royal Arch comes to the aid of local
Hospitals |
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Pictured above left is the M.E. Grand
Superintendent Simon Rowe and EComp. Gerald Smith with Skin
Cancer Specialist Nurse Kate Allington holding the Heine
Dermatoscope bought through the 'Make Me Smile Charity' by
way of a generous donation given from the Grand
Superintendents Fund and Gerald's several Lodges. Gerald
having been a patient at the
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital,
underwent major surgery for the removal of cancerous
melanoma cells. He was extremely grateful for the superb
medical care received from the doctors and nursing staff,
which made him want to try and help give something back
thereby helping other patients to have their moles checked
thoroughly so as any abnormalities could be spotted and
treated at an early stage.
Pictured above right M.E.Grand Superintendent
Simon Rowe and Bob Munro the Provincial Charity Steward
on the same day presenting an infant breathing system used to assist infants
with breathing difficulties to the nurses and doctor of
Bramble Ward, the specialist baby ward at the Royal Devon &
Exeter Hospital. |
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Centenary Meeting of
Benevolence Chapter No. 489 Bideford |
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The Temple was full to overflowing pushing the temperature
into the nineties, on the occasion of the Centenary meeting
of Benevolence Chapter No. 489 at Bideford but we all
survived to celebrate this wonderful occasion in fine style.
Warmly welcomed on arrival with a sumptuous array of
refreshments which set the tone for the meeting and the
excellent festive board at the Royal Hotel. In all a most
memorable occasion that will live long in the memory of
those privileged to be present.
Well Done Benevolence !
Photo - Baths Photographic Bideford |
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Message from the Deputy Grand
Superintendent |
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Dear
Companions,
It would be very much appreciated if you would kindly read
this letter out at you next meeting.
All have heard the saying and in my case a very true one,
“all good things must come to an end”.
Most if not all of you know that at our Provincial Grand
Chapter Convocation on the 12th November 2011, I will be
retiring from Office as your Deputy Grand Superintendent of
the Holy Royal Arch in Devonshire and I felt I could not let
this pass without some communication from me.
As a potted history, my first Active Royal Arch Honour in
the Province of Devonshire was bestowed upon me 21 years
ago, the following year I held a past Office and since then
I have been extremely Honoured, fortunate and delighted to
have held Active Office for the last 20 years, which
naturally makes me a very proud man.
During this time I have attended numerous Installations, as
well as Regular meetings of every Chapter in this Province
some on a number of occasions each year. This has
meant attending somewhere in the region of 40 -50 Chapter
meetings every year, plus of course travelling to other
Provinces for Regular, as well as Provincial Convocations.
Although not adequate, for the convivial welcome and
friendship I have always received, this letter gives me the
opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to each and
every Companion and Chapters in this Province, your
Companionship and hospitality knows no bounds. You
will, I am sure realise that during this time I have met and
still continue to meet some wonderful Companions who have
made my tenure of Office so enjoyable, fulfilling and
meaningful.
I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you and I
look forward to continuing to be in your Company as often as
possible for many years to come.
Devonshire is a Royal Arch Province which I am very proud to
be a part of and which is going from strength to strength,
mainly due to the leadership qualities and commitment of the
successive Grand Superintendents we have been extremely
fortunate to have in this Province and with whom I have been
honoured to work under and with and I thank them for their
support over these many years. A continued very bright
future is predicted for this Province and being in very
capable hands I am sure its potential will be accomplished
and I pledge my full support to this Province and it’s
leaders.
Companions I am sure you know how I am feeling at present
and I will not prolong this other than to emphasise how
honoured and delighted I am to have had this unforgettable
opportunity of being of service to this Province and being
in your lives, even if to some for only for a short time and
I look forward to the future with much happiness with the
comforting thought of seeing you all again.
May God bless and preserve you and your families always
Yours very sincerely and fraternally
E. Comp. Brian H. Meldon PGSwdBr August 2011
Deputy Grand Superintendent Devonshire
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Dartmoor Chapter plays host
to the Provincial Team |
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invitation of The Dartmoor Chapter the Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent, Excellent Companion Simon Rowe, most ably
assisted by the 2nd and 3rd Provincial Grand Principals,
Excellent Companion Terry Downe, and Excellent Companion
Chris Roach, together with a Provincial Team Exalted
Companion Richard Mumford into the Holy Royal Arch in a most
impressive manner at their meeting Held on Friday, 22nd July
2011. The Temple was very full with some 90 plus Members of
the Chapter, their invited guests and Companions holding
Active Rank; all of whom were delighted to be present at
this historic occasion, when the Active Officers occupied
all the principal Offices for the Ceremony, explaining the
Signs and presenting the Mystical Lecture. The meeting was
further honoured by the presence of two former Grand
Superintendents, Excellent Companion Roy Webber and
Excellent Companion Chris Pengelly. On behalf of the
Province Excellent Companion Roy Webber presented a bible to
Companion Mumford in a most interesting and quite unique
manner which held the the assembled Companions spellbound.
Afterwards, 87 Companions adjourned to the Masonic Hall at
Ivybridge for lunch. In all a truly enjoyable and
interesting meeting which the Grand Superintendent intends
to repeat each year. Shortly, Chapters in the Province will
be invited to express an interest in holding a similar
ceremony in 2012 BDK |
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Disney World bound for Jed
and Aston |
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| Pictured
right is the M.E. Grand Superintendent E.Comp. Simon Rowe
presenting a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of all Devonshire
Royal Arch Masons to Jed and Aston who attend a
special school facility in Exeter, travelling home to their
parents in Exeter at weekends. Both boys suffer from a rare
form of Degenerating Muscular Dystrophy of a particularly
invasive kind. The money will go towards a holiday to Disney
World Florida which will be truly a 'once in a lifetime'
trip. Bob Munro |
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Changes at the Top of the
Devonshire Holy Royal Arch |
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 The
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companion
Simon Rowe, has announced that the Deputy Grand
Superintendent, Excellent Companion Brian Meldon, will
retire from office in November and so at the Annual
Provincial Convocation to be held at the Riviera
International Conference Centre, Torquay on Saturday 12th
November 2011, The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent will
be appointing the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, Excellent
Companion Terry Downe, PGStdB., as Deputy Grand
Superintendent.
At the same meeting Excellent Companion Christopher Roach,
PGStB., 3rd Provincial Grand Principal will be appointed
and invested as 2nd Provincial Grand Principal and Excellent
Companion Jeff Bailey, PGStB will be appointed and invested
as 3rd Provincial Grand Principal.
Following the announcement the Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent thanked Excellent Companion Meldon for his
contribution and dedicated service he had so generously
given to the Province since his appointment as Provincial
Grand Scribe Ezra in November 2000. Excellent Companion Rowe
made it quite clear “ he will remain within my inner circle
”.
EComp. Brian Kelly
PrScribeE
CLICK HERE TO
DOWNLOAD A SUMMONS |
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Holy Royal Arch makes
Donation to 2012 Festival |
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Illustrating
the close affinity between the Craft and the Holy Royal
Arch, pictured left is The Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent of Devonshire, E.Comp. Simon Rowe presenting
a cheque to the Provincial Grand Master, Rt.WBro. Michael
Penny for £10,000.00. at the recent meeting of Provincial
Grand Lodge.
This money was given by the Companions of the
Province through the Grand Superintendents fund and this has
been the fourth year in a row that the Holy Royal Arch has
made such a presentation towards the 2012 festival but the first year
that E.Comp. Rowe has been able to make
the presentation as Grand Superintendent.
Photo W.Bro. Steve Waterhouse, PPrGSwdB |
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Brunel & Chilcote Carers
receive help from Holy Royal Arch |
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Pictured
left is the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal EComp.Terry Downe
presenting a cheque on behalf of the Grand Superintendent
for £500 to the Brunel & Chilcote Carers.
The carers have up to now enjoyed there own respite
afternoons at a local hotel which has been funded by the
local health service. The afternoons give them a chance to
relax away from their duties whilst at the same time being
able to interact with other carers. Due to cutbacks, that
funding has now stopped and the £500 donation from there
Holy Royal Arch allows the carers to continue with their
much needed afternoons for a full year, during which time
they will hopefully find another source of revenue for the
future.Bob Munro
Picture
Alan Salisbury |
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St Aubyn Chapter No. 954 Help
Disabled Riders |
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Pictured
left is the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E.Comp.
Simon Rowe presenting a cheque for £500 to the First
Principle of St Aubyn Chapter No. 954 for the Tavistock
Riding for the Disabled scheme. The Grand Superintendent
stated that he was happy to support St Aubyn Chapter who had
been themselves able to raise £250 towards this worthy
cause. Bob Munro |
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Dartmoor Lodge No. 4604
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This year the Worshipful Master and two Past Masters of the
Dartmoor Lodge No. 4604 occupied the chair of Zerubbabel in
three different chapters concurrently. W.Bro. John Clemens
of Trinity Chapter No. 2595, W.Bro. Roger Wigfall of
Dartmoor Chapter No. 4604 and W.Bro. Sean Crannis of Saint
Aubyn Chapter No. 954.
Neil Stevens |
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| Devon and
Somerset Farmers Chapter |
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| Once a year the Devon and Somerset Farmers
Chapter visit Somerset. The Chapter, which is based in
Uffculme Devon, goes over the border to Somerset for their
January. For a full report please click
here and open the .pdf file |
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Devonshire's New Grand Superintendent - E.Comp. Simon W.
Rowe |
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| Pictured is
above left E.Comp. Simon W. Rowe
following his Installation as Grand Superintendent for the
Province of Devonshire by Most Excellent Companion George P.
Francis, 2nd Grand Principal at a special meeting held at at
the Riviera Conference Centre, Torquay on
Saturday 13th November.
The
venue for the meeting filled to capacity and was be followed by
a luncheon that was just as well attended. After lunch
the
scheduled annual
Provincial meeting
took place when the new Grand Superintendent addressed all
Companions of the Province. Pictured is
above right is the new line up of Provincial Principals:
Dept. Grand Superintendent E.Comp. Brian Meldon, 2nd.
Provincial Grand Principal E.Comp. Terry Downe, M.E. Grand
Superintendent E.Comp. Simon Rowe and the newly appointed
3rd. Provincial Grand Principal E.Comp. Chris Roach.
Right, is the Recessional Procession. |
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| New Banner for "39" |
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To mark his
year as First Principal of St. John the Baptist Chapter No.
39 EComp David Vick presented the Chapter with a new banner.
The banner, was designed and made by Mrs. Heather Everitt of
North Molton following approval of the design by Supreme
Grand Chapter and the Grand Superintendant EComp. Chris
Pengelly.
Following discussions with the EComp Brian Meldon DGS
concerning the manner and procedure of the dedication the
Chapter was presented with the banner at the October
meeting. The dedication was performed by E.Comp Rev
P.L.Baycock.
To say the least the Chapter is grateful and delighted that
EComp. David has made such a generous presentation to the
Chapter which we all hope will be proudly displayed in our
meetings for many years to come. Pictured right is ‘Z’
EComps David Vick , Malcolm Cheshire, Acting ‘H’, David
Jameison ‘J’, EComp Brian Meldon, EComp Louis Baycock with
the new banner in rear.
Brian Emmerson |
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| Royal Arch Masons help
Exmoor Search & Rescue |
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The Holy Royal Arch Provincial Grand
Chapter of Devonshire Freemasons, as part of their ongoing
policy of supporting local organisations and charities, has
for the third time, supported the Exmoor Search & Rescue
Team by presenting them with a cheque for £1,000.
Shown is Bob Munro the Provincial Grand Charity
Representative, presenting the cheque on behalf of the Grand
Superintendant for Devonshire, to Mrs S J Bryant-Jones the
team medical officer.
In recognising the important part the team plays on behalf
of the community within the Devon & Somerset area, Bob Munro
said ‘we are pleased to be able to financially assist this
charitable organisation which has for the last 18years,
through the deployment of volunteers, supported the local
community in the preservation of life within the area.’ |
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Devonian
Chapter of First Principals No 9249 Honours Grand
Superintendant |
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At the recent Installation
Convocation of The Devonian Chapter of First Principals,
held at St Margaret’s Road Masonic Temple Torquay, the
Chapter honoured The Grand Superintendant’s forthcoming
retirement in November with several presentations.
A packed temple gave a standing ovation to Ex. Comp. Chris
Pengelly after receiving a Certificate, presented by Rt.
W.Bro. Michael Penny, The Provincial Grand Master, as a
token of esteem, affection and gratitude for his support of
the Craft in general during his period of office as Grand
Superintendent, and especially for the support of The Holy
Royal Arch in raising the sum of £50,000.00 towards The 2012
Craft Festival. This was then followed by a presentation
from E.Comp Brian Meldon, the Deputy Grand Superintendent
in Charge and also the First Principle of the Devonian Chapter of
First Principals No 9249 on behalf of all Chapters in the
Province: an unexpected gift of a very useful laptop
computer. Overwhelmed and short of words the Grand
Superintendent thanked everyone for the gift and kindness
shown to him over the past 10 years in office. He wished
every success to his successor, E.Comp Simon Rowe for the
future and continued success of the Holy Royal Arch. He also
thanked The Provincial Grand Master and others for attending
the Chapter meeting, especially as there was to be the 200th
celebration of Fidelity Craft Lodge No 230 on the same day
in Plymouth. The meeting then went on to install the new
First Principal E.Comp. Bob Mc Farlane and other Principals
of the Chapter. The meeting was followed by the Lunchion at
The Trecarn Hotel, Torquay. Article and pictures Companion
John Smerdon. |
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Chapter
Provincial Officers honour Grand Superintendent |
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On the 30th July 2010 the
annual Holy Royal Arch Active Provincial Officers dinner was
held at The Passage House Hotel,
Newton Abbot, and the opportunity was taken to mark the
impending retirement of the Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent E. Comp. Christopher J Pengelly.
In the company of E.Comp. Brian Meldon PGSwdB, Deputy Grand
Superintendent, E.Comp. Terry Downe PGStB, 2nd Provincial
Grand Principal, E.Comp. Simon Rowe PGStB, 3rd Provincial
Grand Principal, (M.E. Grand Superintendent, designate), 26
Active Provincial Officers, plus 80 other guests
gathered to honour the the Grand Superintendent and his Wife
Bunty. Also in attendance was
R.W.Bro. Michael Penny, P.G.M, W.Bro Derek Webber and W.Bro
Nicholas Ball, A.P.G.M’s. |
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A toast was made to the Grand Superintendent, after which a
presentation of a Past Grand Superintendent’s Collaret and
Jewel was made by E.Comp. K.Hurley, Provincial Scribe
Nehemiah, on behalf of all Active/Past Provincial Officers
appointed during the tenure of the outgoing M.E. Grand
Superintendent. E.Comp. M.J.Newman, presented a framed
photo portrait to E.Comp. Chris Pengelly and his Wife Bunty,
plus a framed picture collage of Companions and guests who
had attended previous HRA Active Officers dinners at The
Grange Restaurant, Buckfast Abbey. Mrs Cynthia Newman then
presented Mrs Bunty Pengelly with a bouquet of flowers.
In his reply The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent thanked
all for making the evening such a happy occasion, and all
Companions throughout the Province of Devonshire for their
support which he had enjoyed during his nine years as Grand
Superintendent. |
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He then presented R.W.Bro Michael Penny, PGM,
with a cheque for £1,000.00 - a donation toward RMTGB
2012 Festival, making a grand total of £50,000.00 donated by
Devonshire Royal Arch Companions.
R.W.Bro. Michael Penny, PGM, thanked him for the donation,
and congratulated E.Comp. Pengelly for all he had done for
The Holy Royal Arch, stating that he will long be remembered
by all, and wished him well in his forth coming retirement.
Mike Newman |
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E.Comp. John McClure PPrGSN |
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E.Comp. John McClure is suffering from
severe Parkinson's disease and is now enjoying life and the
company at Cadogan Court.
E.Comp. John is a much loved and respected member of Devon
Chapter No. 1138 and for a number of years was its very
successful Charity Steward. During that time he squeezed a
considerable amount of money out of his fellow Companions. As a reward for his devotion
to, and work for, Devon Chapter and the Province, E.Comp.
Chris Pengelly, Grand Superintendent accompanied by E.Comp.
Jeff Bailey PrGScE visited John in Cadogan Court and
promoted and invested him to the high rank of Past
Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. Members of Devon Chapter (E.Comps.
Bob Deer MEZ, Orme Vince ScE, Trevor Wilson Almoner, Barry
Baker and John's friend E.Comp. Peter Denman) supported the
Grand Superintendent and E.Comp. John and helped to make
this a very happy and memorable occasion.
Jeff Bailey PrGScE |
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Support Group receives Holy
Royal Arch Help |
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As part of their ongoing
policy of supporting local organisations and charities, The
Holy Royal Arch Provincial Grand Chapter of Devonshire, have
presented a cheque for £1,100 to the ‘Down South’ support
group for people with Down’s Syndrome in South Devon.
Pictured left is Bob Munro, the Provincial Charity Steward
presenting the cheque on behalf of the Grand Superintendent
to the session leader Bev Taylor.
In recognising the part the support group plays locally, Bob
Munro said ‘we are pleased to support this organisation
which has done such an important job supporting these young
people in the local community for some time and hopefully
for many years to come’. |
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E.Comp. Reverend Neil
Collings |
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It is with
great sadness that the passing to the Supreme Grand Chapter
above of E.Comp. the Very Reverand Neil Collings, Past 3rd Grand
Principal has been announced by the Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent. He died on Saturday 26th June 2010 at
7.30pm. His funeral will be at Exeter Cathedral at
11.30am on the 6th July, 2010 |
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New
Grand Superintendent announced |
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The Most Excellent Grand
Superintendent Christopher J. Pengelly is pleased to announce
that Supreme Grand Chapter has confirmed that the next
Grand Superintendent of the Holy Royal Arch in the Province of Devonshire will
be
E.Comp. Simon Rowe, PGStB,
(the present) 3rd
Provincial Grand Principal.
E.Comp. Simon (pictured
right) will be
Installed into that office at the Provincial meeting on
Saturday 13th November in Torquay.
I am sure we are all
delighted for E.Comp. Simon and will give him all the
support we can on the day of his Installation and into
the future.
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The Grand
Superintendent (designate) has confirmed that he intends to
re-appoint E.Comp. Brian H. Meldon PGSwdB as Deputy Grand
Superintendent, and E.Comp. Terry H.G. Downe PGStB as 2nd
Provincial Grand Principal.
He will also appoint E.Comp. Christopher A. Roach PGStB
(left) as 3rd Provincial Grand
Principal
E.Comp. Jeff Bailey
Provincial Grand Scribe E.
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E.Comp Peter Fairley reaches
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E.Comp. Peter Fairley MBE
PGStB, a member of the Chapter of Loyalty and Virtue No.251,
meeting at Barnstaple has been presented with a certificate
to mark "50 years in the Holy Royal Arch". Pictured
left Peter is being presented with his certificate
E.Comp. Terry Downe, the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal. |
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Holy Royal Arch Bowls them
over! |
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Helping with funds towards the refurbishment of Exmouth
Cricket ground and as part of the NatWest CricketForce
initiative, Devonshire Holy Royal Arch Masons recently
donated £1000 to help buy a new set of all weather cricket
nets, enabling younger members of the club to
practice all year round. Over the years the club has
had strong links with the Craft as their members have
included W.Bro John Tozer and long term opening
batsmen, Rt.W.Bro. Ken Alford amongst others. Pictured
on the leg side of the cheque is E.Comp. Chris Pengelly M.E.
Grand Superintendent and E.Comp. Bob Munro Provincial
Charity Steward. On the off side is Club President Ron
Crabb and Club Chairman Peter Langford. |
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Royal
Arch Masons help Devon Air Ambulance |
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Continuing their
support for local charities across the Province, pictured
below is E.Comp. Chris Pengelly, Grand Superintendent of
Devonshire and Provincial Charity Steward Bob Munro
presenting a cheque for £2000.00 on behalf of the Holy Royal
Arch to the crew of the Devon Air Ambulance based at
Middlemoor, Exeter. |
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Holy Royal
Arch
Provincial Grand Teddy Draw |
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In 2009 a very large Teddy Bear was donated to the M.E.
Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Chris Pengelly, who wished it
to be put into a draw to raise money to go towards the Teddy
Bear scheme which was and is still running in the Craft. As
you hopefully know this worthy scheme supplies little
teddies to children who have for some reason or other, must
spend some time in hospital.
For most youngsters quite a traumatic event, these children
receive a teddy as a comforter and for those old enough to
understand, a demonstration of the procedure they will
receive is carried out on their teddy. This practise seems
to reassure them that no harm will befall them.
The draw ran from 10th September too 7th December 2009.
Unfortunately I was unable to attend every chapter in the
province during that period, but very fortunate to attend
most. To those I could not attend but took part in the draw,
many thanks to the Scribes and charity stewards for
supporting it.
To those Chapters I was able to attend I also thank you for
your support and an enjoyable H.R.A. evening. |
On behalf of the M.E. Grand Superintendent and myself may I
thank all the companions who took part in the draw for their
support and generosity.
At Sun Chapter No 106 Installation Convocation on the 7th
December, the M.E.G.S. together with the newly installed
Zerubbabel E. Comp, B. R. Woodman (pictured above) drew the
winning ticket for Big Ted and the winner was E. Comp, M. Bennett. of The Friendship
Chapter No, 202.
On completion of the draw I presented the M. E. Grand
Superintendent with cheques to the total of £1,250 too his
surprise. His comment was “he is always amazed at the
generosity of the Companions”
Not only for supporting this fund, but also local charities
at the same time supporting the 2012 Festival.
David J Jones PAGDC |
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Devon and
Somerset Farmers Chapter – Somerset Meeting |
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For their annual foray over
the border the Chapter this year, arranged to visit Yeovil
where Chapter of Brotherly Love meet and had assisted in the
arrangements for the evening.
Before the meeting opened the Scribe E read the
dispensations that authorised the cross Provincial meeting.
The picture on the right shows E Comps Roger Hutchings (H),
Rodney Nott (MEZ) and Philip Giorgetti (J), checking their
seats prior to the start of the meeting.
The distinguished visitors included E.Comps Brian Meldon
Deputy Grand Superintendent Devon, D John Bennett Grand
Superintendent Somerset and Robert Biggs, Deputy Grand
Superintendent Somerset. They were escorted by a large
number of Grand and Provincial Officers.
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Having been offered the
Sceptre by MEZ, E.Comp. Meldon decided he would return it as
he was sure he had not practised the evening’s ceremonial as
recently as the
Chapter officers had! He and the rest of the procession were
then
seated and the Chapter Officers continued with the evening’s
business.
Pictured on the left are l – r E Comps Roger
Hutchings, Brian Meldon, John Bennett, Rodney Nott, Bob
Biggs and Philip Giorgetti.
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The main item on the agenda was the Exaltation of Bro
Richard
Teague. This proceeded very smoothly with all the officers
involved
appearing well at ease with their ceremonial. The rest of
the
evening’s business was duly completed and, once the closing
address had been given, all the dignitaries processed out.
Pictured on the right are the
Sojourners with the candidate after the meeting.
l to r are
Comps. Sid Lunn, Trevor Swingler,
Richard Teague and Robert Darbyshire.
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More
raised in Ollie’s memory |
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A fund set up in memory of
Totnes rugby player Oliver Marsden is £1,000 better off,
thanks to the generosity of the Devonshire’s Freemasons.
Oliver, known as Ollie, was getting ready for training in
October last year when he complained of feeling dizzy. He
started to fetch a bottle of water but, tragically,
collapsed and died.
At his funeral at St Mary’s Church, it seemed as though the
whole of Totnes had come to pay its respects and express its
grief.
But out of the tragedy, Ollie’s parents Kevin and Linda have
forged a link of hope for other young people who, like their
21-year-old son, suffered from an undetected heart defect.
Linda said that in their minds, sudden death like that was
something that happened to other people, not fit young men
like Ollie. As time passed we discovered that in the United
Kingdom, 12 apparently healthy young people a week die
suddenly of undetected heart defects,’ she said. ‘Many do not die publicly
in the way that Ollie had. They die in their sleep, or
waiting for a bus, or sitting in a chair. It is
indiscriminate and completely avoidable - £35 and 10 minutes
would have saved my son’s life, because that's the
price for |
Linda and Kevin Marsden
receive a cheque from Chris Pengelly (above), Most Excellent
Grand Superintendent of the Holy Royal Arch in
Devonshire and David Jones, PPrGCharity
Stwd. |
screening a young person and that's
how long it takes.’
Fund raising in Totnes and at Plymouth
University where Ollie was training to be a teacher, has
already raised £22,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Kevin and Linda hope the money will enable medical screening
to be carried out for many local youngsters and university
students in the months to come. And they also hope the fund
raising will go a long way towards supporting CRY’s campaign
for a national screening programme.
The Marsdens were at the Masonic Hall in Totnes Tuesday 24th
Nov 09 for the £1,000 presentation from Chris Pengelly,
Grand Superintendent of the Holy Royal Arch Masons of
Devonshire, who said it was ’something they were really
pleased to do.’
Without fanfare or much publicity the Freemasons raise well
over £33 million annually for charity in Great Briton,
putting them second, only to the National Lottery.
More information about CRY- of which Sir Ian Botham is
honorary president is available at
www.c-r-y.org.uk
David Jones
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Holy Royal Arch supports TRIP |
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Devonshire Royal Arch Companions
have donated £1000 to TRIP Community Transport Association,
which is hoping to raise a whopping £32,000 to upgrade its
fleet of Ring and Ride buses. This donation will go towards
the replacement of one mini-bus. EComp Bob Munro, Provincial
Charity Steward said, “We have long recognised the
importance of the service provided by TRIP to elderly people
in the region, particularly in outlying areas, and are
pleased to support this worthy cause.”
Bob Munro |
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History
in the making for Royal Naval Chapter No.3337 |
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At our last convocation we
were privileged to perform a double Exaltation, now I here
you saying, what’s so special about that, it’s been done
many times? But has any other Chapter, in the history
of the Holy Royal Arch, performed a double Exaltation of a
father and son on the same evening?
The father, Comp. Martin Yeoman and his son, Comp. Nick
Yeoman, are both members of the Royal Naval Lodge no.3337.
The ceremony was carried out in the presence of EComp. Brian
Meldon, Deputy Grand Superintendent and EComp. Simon Rowe
the Provincial 3rd Grand Principal, who were also
accompanied by officers of the Provincial Support team.
Pictured l to r : EComp. Simon Rowe, Comp. Nick Yeoman
(Son), Comp. Martin Yeoman (Father) & EComp. Brian Meldon
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Pictured left is
E.Comp Tony Moore, Past Prov.3rd Grand Principal, at
an earlier meeting presenting to the Chapter a Horn
of Oil to show his appreciation to the members of
the Chapter.
EComp .Edward Willcox PPrGScrN
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Brent Chapter visit for the Three Companions |
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Continuing their series of
historical mini plays, EComp. John Eaton, EComp John Cornish
and EComp Ian Passmore of the
Three Companions Demonstration Team
recently visited the Brent
Chapter No. 1284 at Topsham.
After the Chapter was closed, they performed a re-enactment
of events leading up to the founding of the first Holy Royal
Arch Chapter in Redruth, Cornwall, following a successful
petition by Companions of Plymouth Dock in 1791,
proving once again that Cornish Masonry started in
Devonshire!
The play is based on the
writings of Thomas Dunkerly and is in three parts. For
more information click
here
Pictured left
are the Three Companions along side EComp Ken Winfield (H),
EComp Barry White (Z) and EComp J Coulthard (J).
Picture - Martin
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