Grand Superintendent's Report

made at the Annual General Meeting of The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan on 27 th October 2008 

As Grand Superintendent I start my report by thanking all the Members of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan on behalf of MEC David Niven, Immediate Past Grand Superintendent and myself as the current Grand Superintendent for the excellent support given to the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan over the past year. The Membership has to be commended.

All 10 Royal Arch Chapters, 4 Cryptic Councils & 5 Lodge & Councils within the Province had been officially visited at least twice during the year. Once to witness and give support to the Installing Team and Office-bearers during the Installation and once for the official visit to see the Chapter, Lodge & Council and Cryptic Council at work and to examine the books. I have to report that all Chapters, Lodge & Councils and Cryptic Councils operated in accordance with the requirements of The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland. At this time I would like to thank all First Principals, Worthy Commander Noahs, Trice Illustrious Masters, Scribes, Recorders and Treasurers for their work. A number of Chapters, Lodge & Councils and Cryptic Councils were struggling for Membership and candidates – a trend which has been developing for a number of years. My own Mother Chapter & Council, Stathendrick No.555 for instance but like many others I have no doubt that with the efforts of dedicated members and visitors these Chapters, Lodge & Councils and Cryptic Councils will survive.

The size of deputations during official visits have been very impressive – on many occasions they have been well over 20 and the smallest was 12 – well worthy of being recorded.

The 16 th February 2008 was a most memorable occasion for me when I was commissioned by Supreme Grand Chapter and Installed as the Grand Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan.

On that occasion I had the privilege of commissioning MEC Peter Philp as my Depute, MEC Allan Barr as the 2 nd Grand Principal, MEC Colin McLachlan as 3 rd Grand Principal, MEC Robert Craig as Grand Scribe E and MEC David Innes as Grand Scribe N.

I have a tremendous team and I thank them all for the support they have given both the Province & myself. Not forgetting the work done by our other administrative office-bearer MEC William Fulton Provincial Grand Treasurer.

The Installation was a great and memorable day and I have to thank all members of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan for their assistance and support on that occasion with a special mention of the Immediate Past Grand Superintendent MEC David A C Niven for his invaluable guidance.

Moving over to Supreme Grand Chapter meetings. The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan has been well represented at the meetings of Supreme. I attended all three during the year and the Vernal Equinox meeting of 15 March 2008 was of great significance to this Province when I was proud and honoured to be present at the Commissioning and Installation of MEC Archibald H McWatt as 3 rd Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland. This Province was also honoured to have MEC David A C Niven re-elected to Supreme Committee. At the banquet to follow both MEC Archibald McWatt and myself ended up on the toast list. For me as a novice at such events, this was an enjoyable but anxious and terrifying experience.

During the year along with other members of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan I had the pleasure of attending the Installation of other Grand Superintendents of Sister Provinces:-

MEC James Gregory – Renfrewshire Province on 9 th February 2008.

MEC Donald Mitchell – Galloway Province on 8 th March 2008.

MEC Fredrick Mant – Inverness Province on 24 May 2008.

At all of these we were made very welcome and fraternal greetings were exchanged.

Accompanied by other Commissioned office-bearers and on most occasions by MEC Archibald McWatt I had the pleasure of attending convocations of neighbouring sister Provinces:-

Glasgow on 26 th November 2007 & 24 th May 2008.

Linlithgowshire on 30 th November 2007 & 29 April 2008.

Dunbartonshire on 1 st December 2007.

Edinburgh on 27 th September 2008.

In addition, accompanied by MEC Archibald McWatt and MEC Colin McLachlan I had the pleasure of attending, as part of the deputation from the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Argyll and the Isles, on their annual visit to Cowal Royal Arch Chapter No. 496. We were made very welcome and treated with a great deal of hospitality.

A number of us also attended two meetings of Chapter Edinburgh Defensive Band No 278, one on 2 nd February 2008 and one on 26 th September 2008. The one on 26 th September was the Annual General Meeting and for a change was held out with Edinburgh . It was held in Dundee and was very well attended. As the theme of Edinburgh Defensive Band in the season 2008/2009 will be the Red Cross Degrees MEC Frank Sandilands installed Bro. Ian Fraser as ME Chief and the other office-bearers into office.

Members of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan, myself included also attended the following meetings:-

•  A Special Meeting of Esk Lodge & Council No. 42 at Dalkeith on 13 June 2008 when there was a demonstration of the Lodge and Council degrees conferred for the benefit of visitors from Jamaica .

•  The Centenary Rededication Meeting of Melrose Abbey Chapter No. 337 in the crypt of the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey where they hold their June meeting each year. Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter carried out the rededication ceremony. MEC Archibald McWatt in his office as 3 rd Grand Principal was very much involved in this.

•  A special meeting of Polkemmet Royal Arch Chapter No. 846 when MEC Grahame Smith Grand Scribe E accompanied the Grand Superintendent of Western Australia to witness the exaltation of a candidate to the RA degree.

In addition on 13 th May 2008 I also had the honour of accompanying the 3 rd Grand Principal MEC Archibald McWatt to London to represent Supreme Grand Chapter at the 150 th Anniversary of the granting of a Charter to Southwark Mark Master Masons Lodge No. 22 by Supreme on 16 th December 1857. We were treated like royalty and MEC Archibald McWatt was awarded Honorary Membership of the Lodge and also presented with a cheque for £2,500 for a charity of Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapters choice. This was a really memorable occasion.

I also represented the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling and Clackmannan at a Devine service on 30 th March 2008 in Dunbartonshire Province.

Along with other Companions I attended the following Grand Superintendent's Dinners:-

On 24 th November 2007, the Province of Mid & East Lothian at Bonnyrigg.

On 29 th March 2008 the Province of Edinburgh at Leith .

Another meeting of significance to me was the meeting of Grand Superintendents and Grand Scribe Es held at Royal Arch Chambers in Edinburgh on Saturday 26 th April 2008. MEC Archibald McWatt, MEC Robert Craig Provincial Grand Scribe E and I attended. This meeting was very informative and I learned a great deal about running a Provincial Grand Chapter and about recent developments. I hope this type of meeting continues.

I have been involved in all these activities with great enjoyment to myself and I have made many new friends. – I enjoy the company of the Companions who attend with me and also those I meet on those many occasions.