Saint Peter’s Claim the Sceptre

On the Thursday 4th December, St Peter’s Chapter with 10 companions set out from Bromyard to journey to the Royal Forest of Dean Chapter in Newnham to claim the Travelling Sceptre for their own. During the fourth rising the MEZ E Comp Paul Sabel stood up to introduce himself, he then asked his nine other companions to rise and formally claimed the travelling Sceptre.

a group of royal arch masons in regalia with the companion in the middle holding the travelling sceptre as he presents it to another companion

Vassar Smith Chapter had been the first Chapter to claim the Sceptre at the Annual Convocation in September. They only held onto it for just short of a week before Royal Forest of Dean claimed it on the 3rd October.

E. Comp. Harvey Wheeler of Royal Forest of Dean Chapter said:

The Sceptre helped boost our attendance to 43 Companions, the highest ever at Royal Forest of Dean in its short 25 year history, beating even the consecration convocation in 2000. I’ve never known an atmosphere like that at the festive board & I’ve been a member since 2009!! Very pleased.

With the Travelling Sceptre safely secured at the Masonic centre in Bromyard the St Peter’s Chapter challenges any Chapter to claim the Sceptre for their own.

A new Exaltee

The highlight of the evening was the Exaltation of Companion James Grant, of the Royal Forest of Dean Lodge. The picture below shows him being welcomed by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent.

a number of companions with the most recent exaltee being welcomed by the grand superintendent.

Thanks to E. Comp. Paul Sable, MEZ of Saint Peter’s Chapter and E. Comp. Harvey Wheeler of Royal Forest of Dean Chapter for the article, with thanks to the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent for the photographs.