Branxholm Chapter's Fresh Start

Brand new Masonic Halls don't come along very often these days. But, the members of Branxholm Chapter Rose Croix are looking forward to meeting at the new showpiece masonic centre being built by the Province of Cheshire in Altrincham.

Designed to house more than 30 Masonic units across the Craft, Royal Arch and several progressive Orders as well as the Craft and Royal Arch Provincial Office, the new building will co-host masonic meetings as well as functions and events.

Cheshire Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Stephen Martin Blank, laying the foundation stone in June 2021

Having met at the old hall at Clay Lane in Altrincham which was demolished in November 2020 to make way for the new-build the Chapter temporarily relocated to Sale Masonic Hall. However, only two meetings were held in Sale before the pandemic intervened and the Ancient & Accepted Rite was suspended.

With activity restarting from 1 September 2021, Branxholm Chapter will hold its first meeting since January 2020 and its first in its new home on 21 September 2021. This meeting will be a Perfection ceremony and a raiding party will be coming from Silk Chapter in Macclesfield to claim the travelling Toby Jug.

But all of this nearly didn't happen. Consecrated in 1978, Branxholm Chapter itself was rejuvenated only three years ago when the members realised it was in decline. Determined to succeed the Chapter rallied, brought in several joining members and started attracting candidates again. After inviting the District Demonstration Team to visit and conduct a Ceremony of Perfection the chapter began peforming its own ceremonies again following several barren years.

Today the Chapter is a shining example of what is possible and is thriving with candidates in the pipeline and a fantastic new meeting place to look forward to.

Both the Inspector General and District Recorder will be in attendance at the meeting in September to help mark this once in a lifetime chance of meeting in a brand new, purpose built masonic hall; the first in Cheshire for over 100 years.

Catch Up With the Demo Team in 2021

The District Demonstration Team was formed in 2017 to promote good standards of ritual performance and provide interest in Chapters.

Now under the leadership of Roger Currie the Team is gearing itself up for the restart of acitivy in the Order an preparing to perform at the at the first meeting of the season at Knutsford on 1st September.

This is also the District annual general meeting as well as the Toft Chapter Enthronement meeting. So, a full evening's business will be rounded off with a demonstration of a Covid compliant Ceremony of Perfection from the team before a convivial social board hosted by the Inspector General.

Applications for members of the District to attend the meeting on 1st September will be opened soon.

Any member of the Order in the District is eligible to join to the Demonstration Team, just contact Roger through the District website.

The Supreme Council to Zoom In

In response to the national membership survey undertaken during lockdown and whilst all activity in the Riose Croix was suspended The Supreme Council have decided to embark on a virtual tour of every District in England and Wales via Zoom.

The Supreme Council Virtual Tour will arrive in The District of East Cheshire on Wednesday 25 November 2020 at 6pm. Log-in details will be circulated to all members via Chapter Recorders nearer the time and everyone who wants to participate will be able to do so.

We will announce which member of The Supreme Council will be attending soon and in the meantime members are being asked to think of questions to ask him.

The sovereign power of the Ancient and Accepted Rite in England and Wales is committed to a Supreme Council consisting of nine Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, as prescribed for every country by the Grand Constitutions.

It has the responsibility of managing the affairs and promoting the wellbeing of the Order, including the consecration of new Chapters, and of maintaining fruitful relationships with other Masonic bodies, both nationally and internationally.

Each member of the Supreme Council holds the highest degree of the Order, the 33°, as do some 50 Inspectors General in England and Wales and 20 in Districts overseas, to whom authority is delegated to manage their appointed Districts, and a few others who contribute very significant services to the Order, or to Freemasonry in general. These include the Grand Patron, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.

This virtual tour being undertaken by members of The Supreme Council is not only unprecendented but a demonstration of the very flat mamagement structure of this Order and the close links between the leadership and the Districts.

By embracing technology during a period of national upheaval in life and Freemaosnry caused by Covid-19 The Supreme Council are demonstrating a forward thinking and very welcome ability to communicate and engage with the memebrship of their Order.