Liberty of Havering Chapter: Triple Tau – Chapter of Success
On Thursday 3rd February 2022, Liberty of Havering Chapter No. 1437 carried out a rarely seen triple Exaltation at Upminster Masonic Centre.
With over 80 Companions present, the Provincial Director of Ceremonies E.Comp Joe Shearer entered the Chapter and announced that E.Comp Elliott Lloyd Chevin, Deputy Grand Superintendent, was outside the door of the Chapter seeking admission, accompanied by two Assistants to the Provincial Grand Principals, E.Comp David Wilson (the Chapter’s APGP) and E.Comp Bruce Mapson, who also heads up the Royal Arch Membership Team (RAMBO for short), escorted by two Provincial Grand Stewards.
The usual courtesies were offered to the Deputy Grand Superintendent, who briefly considered taking the Sceptre of MEZ but for the fact that E.Comp Bruce Mapson was planned to deliver the triple Exaltation and as the Deputy Grand Superintendent was looking forward to critiquing his performance he therefore declined and took his front row seat.
E.Comp Bruce Mapson occupied the chair of the MEZ and proceeded to exalt the 3 candidates into Liberty of Havering Chapter. As a Grand Officer, APGP and one of the founding Companions of the Royal Arch Support Team, you would expect the ritual to be delivered word-perfectly. However, added to this was meaning, passion and an award-winning performance rarely seen in my many years as a Royal Arch Mason, and I can reassure you, the Deputy Grand Superintended was extremely disappointed as he had to award maximum points for this outstanding performance. E. Comp Bruce, supported by a number of the Chapter members, contributed to what was an outstanding ceremony.
Yet, this was not about the Chapter or how well the APGP delivered the ceremony, this was about the three Candidates who were blown away with the emotional sentiment as the realisation that The Royal Arch is an integral part of Freemasonry and why this is considered as the completion of the journey in Pure Antient Masonry. The common response from the new Companions was “now I get it.”
After the ceremony, the members and guests were treated to a stupendous themed “Burns Night” festive board, with all the trimmings. The haggis was paraded around the diners, led by bagpipes, and followed by E.Comp Laurie Justice and his jovial makeshift kilt and sporran and E.Comp David Wilson in his family Tartan, with knees to be proud of. The haggis was presented by E.Comp John McDonald and E.Comp Laurie Justice and was a dual act well worth a watch.
Liberty of Havering Chapter No. 1437, have another triple Exaltation coming soon – for more information, please contact the Chapter Scribe E. E.Comp. Charles Barrand whose contact details are in the Provincial Handbook.