February 28th saw the Travelling Loving Cup once more on its travels – this time from Leamington Spa to Warwick – not a great distance but the principle remains the same – keep it moving between different Chapters and locations. Companions from Stoneleigh Chapter, based in Leamington Spa, presented the cup to the MEZ of St Barbara Chapter, E Comp Rob Wootton. The Cup was presented by E Comp Paul Jackson, MEZ of Stoneleigh Chapter, accompanied by E Comp Joe Hallett, 3rd Principal, Comp Paul Barton, a recently exalted member of the Chapter. E Comp Jackson delivered a summary of the history and explanation of the purpose of the Travelling Loving cup before handing it over to St Barbara’s Zerubbabel.
The Travelling Loving Cup’s journey around the Province is to promote visiting and goodwill between the Chapters and with numerous companions of the Chapter of Rectitude accompanying the cup and many other visitors present, it certainly seems to be achieving that aim.
The Chapter received a superb presentation of the Mystical lecture from E Comp Hosey Davoudian, who also acted as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies when necessary.
E Comp David Graham, Deputy Grand Superintendent presented a Grand Chapter Certificate to Comp David Cooper, who was exalted into St Barbara Chapter last year.
The photograph shows Comp Paul Barton, Stoneleigh Chapter, E Comp Philip Thorns, H of St Barbara Chapter, E Comp Rob Wootton, St Barbara MEZ receiving the Cup from E Comp Paul Jackson, MEZ Stoneleigh Chapter, E Comp Alan Harwood, J of St Barbara Chapter and E Comp Joe Hallett, J of Stoneleigh Chapter.
The members of the two Chapters are shown flanked by the visitors from the Province, E Comp David Graham, Deputy Grand Superintendent, PGSwdB, and E Comp John Hayward, PGStdB,
It was also announced that the Cup will leave St Barbara Chapter on 30th April, to be presented to St Augustine’s Chapter with the usual accompaniment of visiting members.
With thanks to E Comp David Harwood for co-ordinating the handover and to E Comps Hosey Davoudian and John Hayward for the photographs.
The Travelling Loving Cup – Rules of Movement
To follow the rules governing the Cup’s travels, the holding Chapter must select another Chapter, at another Warwickshire centre, with at least three members taking the cup to its destination. The holding Chapter must not keep it for long, so that it continues its journey throughout the Province, and encourages visiting between Chapters. The handover can be either within the meeting or at the festive board, and should include an obligation on the receiving Chapter to maintain the tradition to encourage visiting throughout the Province.
The Travelling Loving Cup has been generously released from the Warwickshire Masonic museum where it was donated by the former Chapter of Charity, the previous members of which having given their blessing to its use.
Please keep the Travelling Loving Cup in its holder and update the list of Chapters it has visited as it travels throughout the Province. Please advise the undersigned of the whereabouts of the TLC so that it does not become ‘Lost in Transit’. It is hoped to mark the progress of the TLC at each stage of its journey with an article on the Royal Arch website.
Please let me know if your Chapter is keen on holding the Cup and I will ensure it is delivered to you in due course.
John Hayward
Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals
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Past Cup Holders:-
Shakespeare Chapter No.284 – 6 July 2019 to 25 July 2019
Leigh Chapter No 887 – 25 July 2019 to 6 September 2019
Athol Chapter No 74 – 6 September 2019 to 16 September 2019
Leigh Chapter No 887 – 16 September 2019 to 19th January 2022
(Pandemic Restrictions period and rule change in July 2020)
Bedeword Chapter No 7274 – 19th January 2022 to 16th May 2022
Athelstan Chapter No 1333 – 16th May 2022 to 17th October 2022
Chapter of Faith and Hope No 4772 – 17th October 2022 to 7th February 2023
Forest of Arden Chapter No 3826 – 7th February 2023 to 16th May 2023
Fletcher Chapter 1031- 16th May 2023 to 12th June 2023
Guy’s Cliffe Chapter 8874 – 12th June 2023 to 21st June 2023
Apollo Chapter 301 – 21st June 2023 – 17th July 2023
Grosvenor Chapter 938 – 17th July 2023 (Briefly!)
Athelstan Chapter 1333 – 17th July 2023 – 9th October 2023
Abbey Chapter 432 – 9th October 2023 – 19th December 2023
Trinity Chapter 254 – 19th December 2023 – 18th April 2024
Chapter of Rectitude 502– 18th April 2024 – 15th October 2024
Stoneleigh Chapter 725 – 15th October 2024 – 28th February 2025
St Barbara Chapter 4930 – 28th February 2025 – 30th April 2025
St Augustine 3713 – 30th April 2025 –