Companions, you are all most welcome here today and thank you for turning out to what should have been our Annual Convocation, but owing to the uncertainty of travel arrangements in London caused by the purported underground tube strikes, we had been forced to cancel our Annual Convocation and host a business meeting here in St Albans. This has meant that we have had to forego the company of our guests from other Provinces, but it is hoped that they will join us again at the Investiture meeting, hopefully to be hosted on Thursday 9th January 2025.
Owing to the curtailment of the Annual Convocation in London, it is unfortunate that I have not had the pleasure of investing those Companions who have received either their first Appointment to, their re-Appointment or Promotion in Provincial Grand Chapter, but I look forward to carrying out that pleasurable duty at the Investiture Meeting in January. However, just to clarify, their well-earned appointments are effective from today and they are eligible to wear their new regalia with immediate effect when attending any future Convocations, wherever they may be.
It would be remiss of me not to say anything about our retiring Grand Superintendent, E Comp James William Sharpley. This last week, we have hosted a number of surprise events and presentations with a private luncheon followed by Herts First Principals Chapter C4090 on Monday, Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter No 8984 on Thursday and at Cloisters Letchworth Garden City Chapter No 5109 on Saturday. A veil of “cloak and dagger” had been instigated over many weeks and I am pleased to report that all the events were a total surprise for him. We had called on our membership to contribute towards a gift celebrating his tenure and I am pleased to report that we presented him with Travel and Store Card Vouchers in the sum of £2775.
The Province has come a long way since 2014, and under his leadership we have seen the implementation of many new initiatives which have helped us ensure that our Chapters thrive and our membership enjoys their Royal Arch Masonry. Over the years, we have introduced a Mentoring Scheme; the Royal Arch Representatives Scheme; the Chapter Liaison Officer Scheme; the Exaltee Scheme and the introduction of the Archway Resource Tool. Owing to the increase in workload, the Grand Superintendent introduced new Offices to support some of the new initiatives; three Assistants to the Provincial Grand Principals; a Provincial Mentor; a Membership Officer and a Communications Officer, all of which continue in post to ensure that those initiatives continue to be relevant as we move forward from his tenure.
Since E Comp Jim came to post, the Province had been in constant discussion with the Brethren and Companions in Denmark, who had requested the support of the Province of Hertfordshire to assist them in achieving their quest of founding the SGCoD. The Grand Superintendent gave his affirmation to accede to their request and in 2018, gave his authority for three ailing Chapters to move to Denmark with the fourth, a year later. Under his authority and that of the Province of Hertfordshire, all the Chapters thrived on Danish soil with multiple Exaltations happening at regular and emergency meetings. In March 2023, the Grand Superintendent headed a team of Hertfordshire Royal Arch Masons and went to Copenhagen to witness the inauguration of the SGCoD by the Pro First Grand Principal, Jonathan Spence and his team from the Supreme Grand Chapter of England. In recognition of his support of this initiative, he was awarded an Honorary membership of the SGCoD and he has pledged his support to them for as long as he is able, and I pledge to continue that support during my term of office.
The Grand Superintendents legacy and influence will continue throughout the Province for many years to come. In my speech at HFP Chapter C4090, and on behalf of us all, I thanked him for his friendship, companionship, leadership and dedication to Royal Arch Masonry in general and the Province of Hertfordshire in particular.
In 2022, the Pro First Grand Principal, Comp Jonathan Spence, launched the “Future of Freemasonry Strategy and on 8th November 2023, the “Archway” Resource Tool was launched as a companion tool to the “Pathway” which had previously been launched to our Craft Lodges. Since the introduction of the Archway, we have seen many Chapters utilise it to help them develop a membership strategy for the future success of their Chapter. The Archway is designed for Chapters to help shape their own future, grow their membership and enhance the member’s experience. It is essential that we all keep an open-minded approach to new innovations that are introduced to help us get the best out of our Craft and Royal Arch Masonry. It is therefore helpful that we adopt the four principles of the Archway: SHAPE – GROW – INVOLVE – ENJOY.
- Shape, building on the past whilst looking to the future;
- Grow, helping likeminded Brethren & Companions to continue their masonic journey;
- Involve, ensuring every Companion has the ability to participate at whatever level they are
prepared and able to do, at any stage of their journey; - Enjoy, ensuring that every Companion of the Chapter goes away from each meeting wanting
more of the same.
But please remember Companions, masonry is our hobby, an organisation made up of like-minded men, who have a mutual understanding of its’ benefits, both to ourselves, our families and the wider community in which we serve. It is down to each member to ensure that we all enjoy the experience of a meeting, so support for all, by us all, will ensure that we leave any meeting wanting more! If you haven’t as yet visited the Archway website, I can commend it to you – the resource is there for you to use as best suits your Chapter and the flexibility of the programme allows you to “cherry pick” those parts that you think are relevant to your Chapter. If anyone wants any further information or help, our membership Officer, E Comp Peter Young would be more than willing to assist you.
Contrary to popular belief, the “Archway” is not “BIG BROTHER” watching over you but a resource for each Chapter to use for their future success and growth. When using Archway, there is no requirement whatsoever for any Chapter or Companion to divulge any specific information or data, pertinent to the Chapter, to either the Province or Supreme Grand Chapter. It is yours and yours alone to use for the long-term growth, benefit and success of your Chapter – try it, you might be surprised!
Hopefully, sometime in 2025, we will see the alignment of the “Pathway” and “Archway” resource tools as they are brought together to benefit ALL masons in both the Craft and the Royal Arch, a single entity of an educational tool that will stimulate those on their journey through Pure Antient Freemasonry.
I am pleased to report that the success of our membership and mentoring strategies have recently started to come to fruition, with more Brethren signing up to join the Royal Arch and more joining & re-joining members, leading to an increase in our total membership. However, we cannot rest on our heels and it is up to ALL of us to go back to our Lodges and talk to those Brethren who have yet to complete their journey into Pure Antient Freemasonry. We are all committed Royal Arch Masons and we all have a responsibility to ensure that we do our part in educating potential members about the Royal Arch, so that they in turn can make an informed decision as to when and where they join.
In UGLE & SGC, there is an overriding desire to bring the Craft and the Royal Arch closer together as the Royal Arch is indeed the completion of a Master Masons journey into Pure Antient Freemasonry. This also has other beneficial affects to our membership as in turn, it unlocks the avenues to other Companion Orders. I have already given my assurance to the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Neil Connolly that the Royal Arch Executive will work even more closely and in conjunction with the Craft Executive, to ensure that we continue to develop mutually beneficial strategies that will help us all achieve our common goals of a stronger membership whilst continuing to enjoy our masonry. I must thank our Provincial Grand Master for his support of the Royal Arch and our joint and collaborative efforts will ensure that the overriding mantra ‘One Journey, One Organisation’ becomes even stronger in Hertfordshire.
Companions, as we near the completion of this Provincial Business meeting, many hours have gone into the preparation of today’s meeting, and my grateful thanks go to the ProvGScE, E. Comp David Broomer, the ProvAGScE, E Comp. Iain Green and their team for their tireless work over the past year spent on the now postponed Annual Provincial Convocation and for putting this Business meeting together at such short notice. To the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, E. Comp James Angus and his team for their escorting duties today, their ceremonial duties during special celebratory meetings and over the past year supporting the Representative Officers at Chapter meetings. And to you all for your attendance here today, your past and more importantly your anticipated future support for the Province and your Chapters is all very much appreciated.
Companions, continue to enjoy your Royal Arch Masonry and look forward to your company at the luncheon.
May the True and Living God Most High, keep you well and bless you all.
David J Hampton
Deputy Grand Superintendent in Charge
Grand Superintendent Designate