The installation convocation of Blackpool Chapter of Sincerity No 4175 was chalked up to begin at five o’clock and only a short while before kick-off, the new Vice Chairman of Blackpool Group David Cook, the chapter’s director of ceremonies, was tooling about as if anticipating an 11th hour catastrophe. All was not as it should have been; there seemed to be something wrong. These things played on David’s mind and his concerns proved to be well-founded.
Sam Robinson (second left) congratulates Kevin Ricketts while Jeff Basson (left) and Jimmy Rogers (right) stand by.
News had arrived that the third principal elect had been unavoidably detained and would not be arriving until a good deal later in the day. Now, David is an assiduous old bird and his preparations had been thorough. This sudden turn of events might have been considered a calamity to a lesser mortal but David is no lesser mortal. On the contrary, it is well said of David by those who enjoy his close acquaintance that if there is one quality more than another that distinguishes him, it is his ability to keep a stiff upper lip and make the best of things. He kept his upper lip as stiff as one likes to see upper lips and astutely formulated a plan B. It was a moment for decisiveness and David was the man of the moment. Remaining as cool as an oyster on ice, he re-arranged the schedule of the ceremony, making it appear as if all had been intentional.
Providing a convenient distraction to the deception no doubt was the general circumstance of the planned ceremony. It was never to be a regular installation. Kevin Ricketts was to be installed as first principal but, preceding that, he had to be installed as second principal. This required a dispensation from Provincial Grand Chapter; the first agenda item following completion of the general business of the chapter.
Joseph O’Brien, the first principal and Jon Selcoe and Jeff Basson his co-principals, opened the proceedings with due reverence and efficiency, dispatching the general business with equal alacrity prior to the entrance of principal guest Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Sam Robinson who was representing the Grand Superintendent Tony Harrison. Swelling the ranks of distinguished guests and adding to the spectacle of the occasion were Supreme Grand Chapter officers William Eardley and David Harrison. Following in their wake was the newly appointed Chairman of the Blackpool Group John Turpin, along with acting Provincial grand officers Ron Strangwick, Gowan O’Hagan, Martin Linton and Gordon Ivett.
The robe addresses trio, pictured from left to right, are: Paul Easton, Roy Fenton and Granville Coxhill.
Due to the unconventional installation of Kevin into the first principal’s chair and the temporary absence of the third principal elect Jimmy Rogers, from the commencement of the ceremony, the rituals changed from an orderly succession of familiar dialogue to a strange carnival of the unexpected. Instead of the recognised schedule of events in which the third principal is the first to be obligated, the sequence frog-leapt this element and went straight into the obligation of the second principal.
Following this juncture, the absent third principal materialised and the schedule returned to a more recognisable structure. The result of the to-ing and fro-ing was that the installing second principal Jon Selcoe and the installing third principal Bryan Snaith were up and down like yo-yos; dis-robing and re-robing. Nevertheless, under the diligent guidance of director of ceremonies David Cook, the procedures were smooth and professional.
The finer details of the ceremony will not be elucidated in these chronicles as exhaustively as they might. Suffice it to say for the sake of brevity, it was a fine example of a team performing as a whole and achieving success. A chapter may be the greatest bunch of individual performers in the world but if they don’t work together, the result won’t be worth a penny. It is the director of ceremonies who can form that necessary spirit and to this end, David was first class. It had been a test of his initiative and organisational skills – and he passed with flying colours. The remainder of the ceremony proceeded with faultless efficiency. Jimmy Rogers was installed as third principal, Jeff Basson as second principal and Kevin Ricketts as first principal.
Comfortably seated in their respective chairs, it was time for the three principals to receive the customary robe addresses. With the distended eyes of those who are filled with inspiration, Roy Fenton, Granville Coxhill and Paul Easton launched themselves into magnificent recitals of the scarlet, purple and blue robe addresses. Their audience, with eyes of admiration, soaked up all three presentations with relish.
Following the traditional investiture of the chapter officers, David Cook demonstrated his versatility in presenting the address to the principals, proving that he practises what he preaches as a director of ceremonies. Stepping up to the mark and performing the address to the officers of the chapter came that stalwart of ritualism Jon Selcoe; a veritable rock of reliability. It is little wonder that he was elected to succeed David Cook as director of ceremonies.
John Turpin (left) shares a joke with Sam Robinson (centre) and Jeff Basson.
It had reached that point in the proceedings when the address to the companions was required and as happens in the majority of installation ceremonies, the representing officer was called upon to perform the honours. The newly invested director of ceremonies Jon Selcoe escorted Sam Robinson to the allotted spot. Stepping up with sunny confidence, up went the chin, back went the shoulders and Sam provided a masterly oration of the address; sincere, animated and lucid.
Kevin Ricketts, now securely placed in the first principal’s chair had been, by his own admission, nervous at the commencement of the evening but, having pulled himself together, his brain regained its agility and he performed the remainder of the chapter’s work with such assurance that no one would have suspected that earlier he had been so apprehensive. His demeanour and confidence was of a seasoned veteran.
The conclusion of the installation having been announced, Sam conveyed the greetings and well-wishes of the Grand Superintendent Tony Harrison and congratulated all who had been involved in the ritual, underscoring the skilful manner in which the complications had been overcome.
In response, Joe O’Brien eagerly presented charitable disbursements to Sam; a grand total of £804.88, consisting of £300 to DEBRA (Epidermolysis bullosa: a general term used to describe a group of rare inherited skin disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile), £304.88 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £50 to Blackpool Tiggers, £50 to Disability First and £100 to the Blackpool Masonic Club building fund. Joe thanked the companions of the chapter for their generosity on behalf of the final recipients.
David Harrison (left) toasts the three principals during his rendition of the traditional song to their health.
That all were impressed by the manner in which the difficulties of the day had been dealt with was echoed by William Eardley in his response to the first rising, paying particular attention to David Cook’s diligence and Kevin Ricketts’ easy manner.
The sense of relief that the testing complications of the ceremony were behind them and that stress had been removed from the business agenda, worry was now replaced by a determination for fun. And that is exactly what emerged as the companions retired to the festive banquet to enjoy a table of fine fare. Good humoured banter and laughter abounded; with an informal table layout aiding a spirit of camaraderie.
Speeches complemented the general festive mood with Sam Robinson interspersing the essential messages from the Province with witty anecdotes and remarks during his succinct response to the toast to the grand officers.
A very complimentary toast was made to the three principals by Joe O’Brien before the customary song to the three principals was performed, on this occasion by none other than grand officer David Harrison. In his usual sincere manner, David gave a powerful rendition, accompanied by John Wall on the piano.
Responding on behalf of the three principals, Kevin Ricketts thanked his predecessor for the energetic and positive way in which he had promoted the chapter during his tenure, it being even more remarkable when considering the health issues that Joe and his wife had had to contend with. Kevin was equally complimentary of all the members of Blackpool Chapter of Sincerity, returning to the difficult test presented during the evening as evidence of the manner in which individuals support each other.
David Cook may have been presented with a test of ingenuity but it was the chapter team that resolved the problem.
Pictured from left to right, are; Gowan O’Hagan, Gordon Ivett, William Eardley, Sam Robinson, Jeff Basson, Kevin Ricketts, Jimmy Rogers, David Harrison, John Turpin, Ron Strangwick and Martin Linton.