Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Howard Hughes PGStB and MEZ of the Burdett Chapter reports.
The historic Burdett Chapter No 1293 was honoured to host a demonstration of the Royal Arch Exaltation Ceremony at the Twickenham Masonic Centre on Saturday 25th October 2025. Burdett, as one of the first Chapters Consecrated within the then new Province of Middlesex, was a fitting setting for this event with all recent Exaltees from across the Province invited to attend.
The Provincial Demonstration team was led by the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Howard Hughes PGStB, assisted by the Second Provincial Grand Principal, Peter de Wolfe PGStB and an APGM, E Comp Warren Gell PPGStB, acted as Third Principal. The Provincial Scribe E, E Comp Michael Lavender ProvScE, and Provincial Scribe N, E Comp Paul Sully PAGDC, ably acted in their respective roles. Two APGPs, E Comp Geoff Stuttaford PAGDC and E Comp Alan Russell APGP, shared the work of the Principal Sojourner assisted by E Comp Steve Osgood ProvGMO. All were kept in order by the team’s DC, the unflappable E Comp Frankie Whelan-Mellor ProvDepGDC. The Chapter’s Visiting Officer, E Comp Steve May ProvGReg, was conscripted to act as the candidate.
The performance was punctuated by explanations of the ceremony, its symbolism and meaning which greatly enhanced the experience for all those present. Even some of the more seasoned Companions present commented that this provided them with a daily advance in their masonic knowledge. The Exaltees present attended to the staves during the key part of the ceremony which added to their sense of inclusion in the action. That part of the work normally attended to by the Janitor and others outside of the Temple was conducted within the room to enable the whole experience to be observed.
It was also an important day for the Chapter as something like a scroll of vellum or parchment had recently been found. It was the original 1873 Charter which had been lost following the closure of the Staines Masonic Centre. A Charter of Confirmation had been issued by Supreme Grand Chapter to enable the Chapter to continue to meet and to celebrate its sesquicentenary in 2023. The old Charter was proudly read in open Chapter. The Charter of Confirmation was presented, as he was present, to the Provincial Scribe E to return, as is required, to Supreme Grand Chapter.
A Buffet Festive Board following the meeting enabled Exaltees, other Companions and members of the Executive to network and share comments and questions about a most enjoyable day at Twickenham.
