The companions of Arrowhead Chapter No 8500 were honoured and delighted to receive Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ian Cuerden to their installation at Bryn Masonic Hall. Ian was accompanied by fellow officers from Supreme Grand Chapter, Bill Smith and John Roberts (who is a member of Arrowhead Chapter and was on duty as director of ceremonies). Ian was also supported by acting Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah Stewart Blagg, with fellow acting Provincial officers Arthur Robinson (PrAGDC) and David Case (PrGStwd) together with group officer Geoffrey Porter (vice-chairman).
Ian Cuerden congratulates Tony Clark
It was a delight for Ian to witness the installation, especially as all three of the new principals had never been through the chairs before. They have progressed through all the various offices in the chapter and each was achieving a personal goal by occupying their respective chairs.
Tony Clark was installed as first principal. Tony is now retired having spent his working life as a mechanical engineer, so is all set to apply his engineering skills to forge Arrowhead’s path to the future during the ensuing year. Mervyn Reeves moved up a step closer on his Royal Arch journey by occupying the second principal’s chair and Neil Keegan attained his first chair and was installed as third principal. Peter Benson, the outgoing first principal, and each of the installing principals did superb work.
It is always a delight in Arrowhead Chapter to witness their tradition of sharing as much of the work as possible. To mention but a few; Mike Allen acted as second principal (with Denis Skett adding a ‘voice over’), Bob Whitney as third principal, with readings by George Calderbank, John Roberts and John Mason, and the robe addresses by John Aitkin and John Barnes.
Pictured from left to right, are: Ian Cuerden, Mervyn Reeves, Tony Clark, Neil Keegan and Geoffrey Porter
Visiting group officials also played their part, with Geoffrey Porter delivering the address to new charity steward John Barnes and Stuart Blagg (group secretary) delivering the address to the new almoner John Barnes. Ian Cuerden delivered the address to the companions of Arrowhead Chapter.
Following a fine ceremony, Ian was pleased to bring the greeting of the Grand Superintendent, congratulating the three principals and praising Peter Benson and all those involved for the effort they had put in to make the event so successful. Tony and his fellow principals were proud to present charitable donations totalling £450: £150 each to Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Macmillan Nurses and the Alzheimer’s Society. Ian thanked the companions of the chapter on behalf of the recipients.
A fine festive board followed, with a menu of egg and bacon salad, cod Mornay and honeycomb cheesecake, enhanced by a fine rendition of ‘the three principals’ song by Rod North accompanied by Les Campbell.
Pictured from left to right, are: Arthur Robinson, Bill Smith, Ian Cuerden, Mervyn Reeves, Tony Clark, Neil Keegan, Geoffrey Porter, Stewart Blagg, David Case and John Roberts