Full Team Visit to Penshaw Chapter
December 2016
December 1st is, for many, the traditional starting point for the Christmas Period. It’s also the 336th day of the year (this being a leap year) in the Gregorian calendar; with 30 days remaining until the end of the year. It also happened to be the evening of the full team visit to Penshaw Chapter.
Accompanying the Grand Superintendent, Norman Eric Heaviside, in a 28 strong Deputation were the Deputy Grand Superintendent, Paul Paterson, the Second and third Grand Principals, Gordon Brewis and Michael Stuart Shaw, along with Andrew Moule, the Assistant Provincial Grand Principal. There was also a near full strength team of acting officers joining them on a mild winter’s evening in Shiney Row.
Penshaw Chapter was founded in 1943 during the war years. Its 22 founding members were all members of the Bernard Gilpin Lodge in Hetton. At the time only one Craft Lodge existed in the (old) building, that of its namesake Penshaw Lodge.
After the chapter was opened, Eric and the Deputation were warmly welcomed into the Chapter Room. Alan Gettings, Phil Evans, Gary Alexanders and Shaun Reay then delivered the Historical Lecture, followed by Ken Howe, the Chapter DC, who delivered the Symbolical Lecture. It is often said that no one should be singled out for performing exemplary ritual. That said, all of the Penshaw companions delivered the ritual in an excellent manor. Ken, in his usual unassuming manor, again set the benchmark in the way that he single handily delivered the Symbolical Lecture. A sore throat was no obstacle for him delivering one of the finest pieces of work you are likely to see in a Chapter Room. The ritual exemplified the high standard that Penshaw Chapter is renowned for in the Province.
On completion of the ceremony, Ken Tumelty, the chapter’s First Principal presented Eric with a cheque for £200 towards the 2021 Festival. This was gratefully received and Eric expressed his thanks to the Chapter for their generosity on this and many occasions in the past.
The special evening was also a great opportunity for the Chapter’s first Principles to use the new robes that had just been purchased. The old robes had certainly seen better days and the new replacements added a touch of quality and splendour, that mirrored the quality of ritual in the evening’s ceremony.
At the festive board Eric praised the magnificent turn out; the Deputation at 28 strong along with 33 members of Penshaw Chapter and the 13 visitors from 8 Chapters. The near full house in the Chapter Room was mirrored at the festive board, with friends old and new catching up with each other.
The 2017 Tercentenary celebrations were highlighted by Eric, and this month’s hugely anticipated Provincial Gazette, soon to be dropping on your door mat, has a section dedicated to this, with details and dates ensuring no one will miss any of the celebrations. A free event at the Royal Albert Hall in London is open to 90 Durham Masons; again the full details are in the new Gazette.
Finally, Eric thanked the Penshaw brethren and everyone who had made the journey to Shiney Row for a memorable evening, amongst great Companions and company.