Royal Arch Masons Awarded Top Marks by 20 out of 20 Primary Schools
The Provincial Grand Master of Essex Freemasons, Paul Tarrant, is also the Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Masons in Essex
The Provincial Grand Master of Essex Freemasons, Paul Tarrant, is also the Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Masons in Essex. In the run-up up to Christmas 2022, Paul and his Royal Arch companions ticked all the right boxes when they approved a grant of £10,000 to support 20 local primary schools facing cost-of-living-increase challenges in what should have been a time of happiness for everyone.
The schools are all near to a Masonic centre and each received a £500 grant. The Masonic centres and their local primary schools were: Braintree – Great Bradfords; Chelmsford – Maltese Road; Chingford – Whitehall; Clacton – St Clare’s; Colchester – St Thomas More’s; Frinton – Kirby Primary Academy; Grays - Chadwell St Mary; Halstead – Holy Trinity; Harlow – St James; Harwich – Mayflower; Loughton – Staples Road; Maldon – Wentworth; Manningtree – Highfields; Orsett – Orsett Primary; Rochford – Stanbridge; Saffron Walden – St Mary’s; Southend-on-Sea – Kingsdown; Tollesbury – Tollesbury; Upminster – Branfil; and Witham - Chipping Hill.
With around 7,500 Freemasons in Essex more than half are also members of the Royal Arch, a connected organisation whose members are known as Companions and meet in chapters at Masonic centres across Essex, similar to their masonic Brothers who meet in lodges. Helping local communities is at the heart of Freemasonry and at the end of every Royal Arch meeting there is always a focus on peace in the world and goodwill to all. Elliott Chevin, the Deputy Grand Superintendent in Essex, said “We consider this especially so for younger children and wanted them to share in the excitement at school leading up to Christmas.”
Recent restraints on school budgets meant that some planned activities and celebrations had to be cut back as schools battled with increased costs. Elliott added “It is the children who would have lost out through no fault of their own. The extra money helped schools with activities which would have been trimmed to save money. The feeling among the Royal Arch companions in Essex was that giving some additional joy at this time of year was so important, especially for children, and we are all pleased we did this.”
This is a great example of Essex Freemasonry helping in the community particularly during these very trying times by providing healthy support for schools and especially for the children, during their very important and early educational years.
Photos:
Top: Chadwell St Mary Primary School celebrates with Paul Tarrant (back row centre) and Royal Arch Masons.
2: Highfields Primary pupils and staff thank Royal Arch Masons Martin Cook (back row left) and Companions.
3: ‘Heads-to-Heads at Maltese Road Primary School’ (L-R): Dr N Rudman, Executive Headteacher, thanking Paul Tarrant, Head of Essex Freemasons with Faye White, Head of School; Elliott Chevin, Deputy Grand Superintendent and Chris Hicks, Provincial Charity Steward of Essex Royal Arch Masons.
4: Pupils and staff at Wentworth Primary receiving a cheque for £500 from Royal Arch Mason, Martin Cook.
Bottom: St Mary’s Primary School, Saffron Walden, pupils and staff thank Royal Arch Mason John Hubbard (back row second left) and Chris Hicks (back right) Provincial Charity Steward of Essex Royal Arch Masons.