I’ve started, so I’ll finish!

E. Comp John Eynon, DepGSupt & E. Comp Peter R.A. Baker, PGSupt

On Wednesday, 2nd October, the Companions of the Round Table Chapter of Middlesex, No. 8301 gathered for their usual Convocation, but this was no ordinary meeting. They had the pleasure of welcoming their new Visiting Officer, Matthew Cook, ProvGStB, whose presence added a touch of distinction to the evening.

After tending to the necessary business of the day—elections and approving some charitable donations — there was a shift of gears to something a little more lighthearted: a quiz titled, “What Do You Know About the Royal Arch?” This wasn’t just any quiz; it was a fiendish, yet fun challenge designed to encourage “a daily advancement in your Masonic knowledge.”

The mastermind behind this intellectual workout was none other than Most Excellent Companion Peter R.A. Baker, PGSupt, a founding member and Past Zerubbabel of our Chapter.

Now, you might think a quiz on Royal Arch history and ritual would be a breeze for seasoned Masons—but oh, how wrong we were! Despite all the answers being hidden in plain sight within the Aldersgate Ritual Book, Peter’s 40-question challenge stumped more than a few of us.

Teams of three huddled together, racking their brains, only to discover just how much they didn’t know! The groans of disbelief (and a few chuckles) filled the room as the depth of our collective ignorance became clear.

Competition was fierce, especially with the Principals’ team and a strong showing from the team led by John Eynon, DepGSupt (also a Past Zerubbabel of the Chapter).

However, in the end, victory went to the underdogs: the trio of Scribe E. Jack Maunders, Treasurer Chris Fassam, and Visiting Officer Matthew Cook. They triumphed with a respectable score of 23 out of 40, proving they had just the right combination of wit, wisdom, and maybe a bit of luck!

As a reward for their Masonic brilliance (or perhaps sheer survival), Peter Baker graciously presented each of the winners with a bottle of fine Merlot, which was accepted with enthusiastic thanks and a few cheeky toasts to the quizmaster himself.

With our heads full of new knowledge—and our egos slightly bruised—we wrapped up the evening with a well-deserved retreat to the Festive Board. There, we enjoyed a hearty meal of rib-eye steak and apple pie, accompanied by laughter, camaraderie, and a bit of friendly ribbing over the quiz results. The convivial atmosphere reminded us why we cherish these gatherings so much.

In the end, a good time was truly had by all, and we left looking forward to the next Convocation, where perhaps we’ll fare a bit better in our Masonic quizzes (or at least enjoy more Merlot in the process!).

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