Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals No 8966 held its installation convocation at the Masonic Hall in St Annes, commonly known as the Palace. It was built in 1900 as the St Annes Public Hall and Assembly Rooms, with a stage and was licensed for dramatics and musical events, so nothing has really changed in over 200 years.
In 1922 it became the Palace Cinema with cafés and a Masonic lodge room on the ground floor. It continued to operate as a cinema until the late 1950s when the building was sold to the St Annes Freemasons who converted the upper floor to a Masonic suite and the ground floor to retailing.
50 companions gathered at the Palace to enjoy a fine installation ceremony of Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals. The three retiring principals comprising Peter Greathead, John Cross and Bob Bennett opened the chapter with assistance from director of ceremonies John Chesters and guidance from assistant director of ceremonies Stuart Thornber and duly completed the general business of the chapter which included a ballot for new members before welcoming principal guest, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent Stephen Reid.
Stephen was accompanied by a distinguished collection of grand officers, including Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Robbie Porter, Past Third Provincial Grand Principal David Barr, Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals David Randerson, grand officers Norman Thomas, Roger Perry, Chris Blackwell, Garry Bignell and Stephen Jelly. With acting Provincial grand chapter officers, Mick Southern, Jeffrey Lucas, Neil Higgins, Roger O’Loughlin and Alan Barnes.
Stephen was welcomed to the chapter by Peter and when all of the distinguished guests were seated, Peter proceeded to continue with the ceremony of installation, assisted by his co-principals John Cross and Bob Bennett. Once all three principals-elect had individually reaffirmed their obligations and had been installed into their respective chairs, the robe addresses were delivered to the new principals. Neil Higgins gave the robe address to the first principal John Turpin, Jonathan Selcoe gave the robe address to the second principal Ian Stirling and Bob Marsden gave the robe address to the third principal Gordon Ivett. First principal John Turpin then appointed and invested the officers of the chapter for the ensuing year.
After the first rising, John presented a list of donations for local charities to Stephen, comprising £250 to Blue Skies Hospital Fund at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, which is a charity dedicated to enhancing patient care, £200 to One Fylde, which provides person-centred support to people with learning difficulties, and £500 to Brian House Children’s Hospice. Stephen gave thanks to the companions of the chapter for their very generous donations. On completion of the installation convocation, the companions retired to the bar for a well-earned drink before enjoying a superb festive board meal supplied by Lee and Janine Munro of Masonic Event Catering.
In his response to the toast to the grand officers, Stephen reiterated his delight to be at Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals as the principal guest and to have the distinction of being the only person in the room to have been at the consecration of the chapter where there were over 100 founders. Stephen went on to say that the companions are not at the installation meeting to enjoy a feast of Masonic ritual, that is reserved for our own chapters, but to enjoy each other’s company and to use our experience as Royal Arch Masons to promote what the Royal Arch is all about and to spread the message of the Royal Arch. Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals and its members have a crucial key role to play in the promotion of the Royal Arch.
Immediate Past First Principal Peter Greathead proposed the toast to the three principals, focusing on the life and achievements of first principal John Turpin, who in turn thanked Peter for his kind words and to everyone who had attended to make this installation convocation such a wonderful event. Especially the newly appointed grand officers Stephen Jelly and Garry Bignell and the acting Provincial grand officers in attendance.
The evening ended with everyone in a jubilant mood, ready to brave the cool St Annes night air and their journeys home, content in the knowledge of enjoying another enlightening Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals meeting.
