The three principals of Chapter of Perseverance No 155, first principal David Berrington, assisted by second principal Dr Peter Green and third principal Leslie Williams, welcomed everyone to the installation meeting at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. And then proceeded opened the chapter in an exemplary fashion.
The chapter then formally welcomed the principal guest Ian Sanderson, the representative of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews,. Ian was accompanied by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Master John James and Gladstone Group Vice Chairman Matt Casson, all announced by Gwilym Jones as director of ceremonies.
Having dispensed with the necessary business, the chapter swiftly moved on to the matters at hand, the installation of the three principals. Companion George Powell was declared as third principal elect and was presented by Gwilym Jones to third principal Les. Les was superb in the delivery of ritual to George, who was then proclaimed as third principal elect.
Having requested that David Atkinson, occupy the chair of third principal, Les was then presented by Gwilym Jones to second principal Peter Green as second principal elect. Again, as before, both Peter and Les were extremely proficient in their display of ritual, singling out Les for especial praise for his delivery of his obligation.
Vic Charlesworth was then requested to occupy the chair of a second principal, whilst Gwilym orchestrated the presentation of first principal elect, Peter Green to first principal Dave Berrington. In conjunction with the other principals, Dave was not found wanting and displayed an equally impressive oration of ritual in his delivery.
Having declared a conclave of installed first principals, Dave continued and duly installed Peter as first principal of the chapter of Perseverance. Having closed the conclave, second principals were admitted and Les was duly installed into the second principals chair, assisted by Gwilym and assistant director of ceremonies, Paul Snape. Moving swiftly on, with the conclave being closed, third principals were admitted and finally George Powell was duly installed in solemn form by second principal Les.
All companions were then admitted and the three principals proclaimed for the first time. Three companions then assembled and lined up in front of the three principals, Ken Alker, delivering the scarlet robe address to first principal Peter. Vic Charlesworth delivering the purple robe address to second principal Les, and finally David Hilliard, delivering the blue robe address to third principal, George. It was a delight to see the addresses delivered with splendour and panache in this way.
Gwilym then congratulated the three principals and at the conclusion of the installation ceremony, asked could he say a few words with regards to scribe Ezra Bill Hinchliffe who has been unable to attend and has not been well. Gwilym was very touching in his tribute to Bill and explained the situation to the assembled companions, all present wish Bill well and that he gets well soon.
The offices of the chapter were duly appointed and with the final officer to be appointed, the janitor, was announced as Dave Berrington, who joked as he left the chapter to say first principal in one moment and out the door, in another!
Ian Sanderson then took the opportunity to congratulate the three principals, saying what a wonderful occasion it had been and congratulated Gwilym and Peter as director and assistant director of ceremonies for their wonderful work.
The three principals, again assisted by Gwilym, closed the chapter in solemn form and the companions retired to the festive board to continue the celebration. The chapter is a very friendly chapter and the warmth of feeling that the companions have for each other is very evident around the festive board.
Dave Berrington rose to give the toast to the three principals and gave a lovely speech about how long he had known the companions and that he had enjoyed the pleasure of their company over many years. He hoped that Peter enjoyed his year very much and that he was sure that the support of the companions that he had received would be reciprocated to the three principals alike. The toast received the accolade it deserved with warm applause for Dave.
Peter then responded to that toast, thanking all for attending the convocation, and that it had been 21 years since he had last been first principal. Asking those present to remember the many companions who were no longer present in the chapter having been called to higher service, it was a lovely response and equally poignant and thought provoking.
It was soon time for Dave to give the janitors toast and the companions and guests gave way to closing evening of the celebration of the three principals for the Chapter of Perseverance.