The newly combined Chapter of St Alphege & Charity No 1431, was fortunate to exalt its first initiate in its new formal structure on Tuesday 21st March 2023.
W Bro Martin Parrack, although very active in craft masonry in England (and Scotland) finally decided to take the fourth step and complete his journey in pure Antient Masonry. It was a great delight for Martin to find the room at Yenton so full of his craft friends that he was not expecting to be there!
The meeting, as ever in the Royal Arch, was followed by a vibrant and jovial festive board with many smiling and cheerful faces in evidence. As Martin had been raised to the sublime degree of a master mason in 1993, it was felt by all present that he had perhaps waited a bit longer than was normal before joining the Holy Royal Arch.
The chapter was honoured by the presence of E Comp John Hayward, the Assistant to the Provincial Principals, who formally and warmly welcomed Martin to the RA Province and wished him many years of enjoyment and companionship within the Order.
Two joining members were also proposed on the night, so the future of this combined chapter looks considerably brighter than that of its separate and constituent parts. Something that might be of interest to other RA chapters to note, facing similar difficult decisions involving low membership and attendances post Covid.