Companions at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street, gathered for a wonderful celebration of Peter Connolly achieving his 60 years in the Royal Arch. The ceremony took place in the colourful Egyptian Suite and was attended by 35 companions.
The Chapter of Liverpool No 292 was opened and under the guidance of the Director of Ceremonies, Paul Patullo, the first order of business after the acceptance of minutes was to install Stephen Linton into the second principal’s chair. John McKenna, as the first principal, took great delight in performing the ceremony.
On a report, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Rob Fitzsimmons, was then admitted into the chapter and announced that Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, Ian Sanderson, seeks admission. Ian processed into the chapter room accompanied by grand officers, Paul Renton, Derek Parkinson, Peter Connolly, John James, Stephen Walls, Paul Broadley and Liverpool Group Chairman, David Johnson, all of whom were supported by acting Provincial Grand Chapter officers, Thomas McLaughlin, Provincial Assistant Director of Ceremonies, Michael Fox, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer and John Gibson, Provincial Grand Steward.
First principal John welcomed Ian and the other guests to the chapter and then explained to the companions that he felt privileged to have been invited to take part in celebrating such an illustrious person on such a wonderful occasion. Ian informed the companions that we now have come to the main attraction of the evening, the celebration of 60 years in the Royal Arch of Peter Connolly, Past Assistant Grand Sojourner, as a Royal Arch Mason. Ian went on to say that the affection and high regard that Peter had could be seen by the tremendous support from the companions present, and the many messages that had been received.
Peter was born in 1941, the same year as several famous singers, which explains his deep love of music and singing. The house that Peter was brought up in had now been converted for the elderly and Ian informed Peter that he was now top of the list for residency, bringing delightful joy from the companions present. Peter’s love of trains and transport vehicles had been developed from his early days spent with his father, who, having passed away at an early age, had reached the stewards list of Fairfield Lodge No 2290 in October 1952.
Peter found his time at boarding school somewhat Victorian, although he generally enjoyed his schooling, having made many famous friends including Neil McCulloch (Bishop of Manchester), Malcolm Thornton (Minister for Wales under Mrs Thatcher) and Richard Stilgoe. Peter enrolled at the College of Commerce and joined Norwest Construction, then moved onto Southern’s, a national timber merchant. This eventually saw a merger with Magnet and an appointment to the Board of Magnet Joinery Sales. In 1985, Peter resigned from the board and started his own business, supplying spiral staircases and plastic products for roof ventilation, retiring in 2008.
Peter married in 1964 and has three children and four grandchildren, remarrying in 1999 and acquiring a further three grandchildren. Peter’s other love in life is to listen to and play the great Willis Organs, which are manufactured in Liverpool. There is a Willis Organ situated in Great Queen Street, London.
Peter was initiated into Fairfield Lodge No 2290 (his father’s lodge) in November 1963 and became WM in 1977. Sadly, the lodge surrendered its warrant in 2009. Peter then became a member of Lathom Lodge No 2229 and was also a founding member of Old Lerpoolian Lodge No 9270, being installed as WM in 2010.
In 1984, Peter was appointed to the very high acting rank of Provincial Senior Grand Warden. Following this, Peter was invited to serve as the vice chairman of the Eighth Liverpool Group and went on to serve as chairman. In 1984, Peter gained his first appointment to grand rank as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, with a promotion in 2008 to Past Junior Grand Deacon.
In 1965, Peter was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry as a companion of Liverpool Chapter No 292, becoming the first principal in 1982 and again in 2015, gaining Provincial appointment to acting Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1984. In 1989, Peter received his first appointment in grand chapter to Past Grand Standard Bearer, with a further promotion to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2010. to read Ian’s full script, click here.
Peter’s support for the encouragement to join the Royal Arch has been exemplary, to which thanks were given by Ian. Ian then said how delighted the companions were to be present here to help Peter celebrate his milestone of 60 years as a Royal Arch Mason. Ian brought a message from Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, congratulating Peter but was also aware that a phone conversation had already taken place between them both earlier in the day.
A certificate from the Grand Superintendent, Mark Matthews, was read aloud by David Johnson and presented by Ian to Peter. The companions then rose and gave a standing applause for Peter, and the chapter was then closed. The companions then retired for a celebratory festive board, which included moules marinière, or melon and summer fruits, lemon sorbet, lamb rump with seasonal vegetables, crème brûlée, or cheese board, followed by filtered coffee or tea, with a few fine wines to choose from.
During the festive board, Peter was delighted to find that he was one of the winners of the raffle. David Johnson gave the toast to Ian Sanderson, with Ian thanking David and the companions for the toast to his health, once again congratulating Peter on his achievement.
John Walker was pleased and honoured to propose the toast to Peter, stating how Peter was an excellent source and could be relied on for questions regarding Freemasonry and how Peter had dedicated his life to the Royal Arch, with huge enthusiasm. Peter was a man who would always ‘get the job done’, being admired, which was the standard that everyone should achieve. Peter was presented with letters of congratulations, before John asked all companions to raise a glass to Peter’s health and 60 years in the Royal Arch.
Peter responded to the toast to his health and thanked all those present, including the distinguished guests and also his personal guests who wished they had brought buttered Morecambe shrimps with them. Peter thanked Robb for his work as the director of ceremonies during the evening and presented the companions with his jokes, which centred around a famous Welsh village and chicken McNuggets. Peter said that he had enjoyed a wonderful night and hoped that all those present had also done so.
