News

Philip Clare to be the next Provincial Grand Summus for Kent

The Grand Summus has appointed Dist. Companion Philip Clare to be the next Provincial Grand Summus for Kent. Phil will be installed at Chatham on the morning of Saturday 23 February.

Installation of a new Provincial Grand Summus for Durham and Northumberland

Right Distinguished Companion Michael Allan Jacques (centre left), Provincial Grand Summus for Durham and Northumberland with Most Distinguished Companion Ian Stanley Currans, Grand Summus (centre right)

Most Distinguished Companion Ian Stanley Currans, Grand Summus of the Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord, was accompanied by his Deputy Grand Summus, Assistant Grand Summus and a team of Grand Officers to Byker Masonic Hall in November to Install Michael Allan Jacques as Provincial Grand Summus for Durham and Northumberland.

A typically warm welcome was extended to the visiting team when they arrived and from the outset the atmosphere was one of good cheer. Michael is a well know personality in the Province and as the Grand Summus introduced him into the meeting with some light-hearted comments everyone relaxed and settled in for an enjoyable Installation ceremony.

At dinner conversation and laughter filled the room. When it came to the Toasts Right Distinguished Companion Jacques paid tribute to his predecessor, Right Distinguished Companion Robert Muir Henderson. He then moved on to present the Most Distinguished Grand Summus with a wonderful coal sculpture of a rugby player. The Deputy Grand Summus and Assistant Grand Summus were treated to bottles of “Newcastle Champagne” the famous Newcastle Brown Ale, or “Dog” as it’s known locally.

Given the conviviality both in the meeting and at the after-proceedings it was clear that the Order is in good heart in that part of the Country and will no doubt grow even stronger under Right Distinguished Companion Jacques’ leadership.

Scarlet Cord reaches Switzerland

On Saturday 22nd September 2018, the first Swiss Scarlet Cord Consistory was consecrated at Lugano by the Grand Summus, Most Distinguished Companion Ian Currans, together with a team from Grand Senatus.

Although consecrated in the beautiful surroundings of Lugano, Le Cordon Ecarlate du Léman Consistory (the Lake Geneva Scarlet Cord Consistory) No 120 will meet at Lausanne, drawing its members from the two Swiss OSM Conclaves, one of which had been consecrated the day before. The President of No 120 is Very Distinguished Companion Peter Ribi, formerly the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Switzerland and well-known to many as the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler for London in the OSM.

A Fourth Consistory for London

Metropolitan Consistory No 121 was consecrated on Monday 22nd October 2018 at Mark Masons’ Hall by Most Distinguished Companion Ian Currans, Grand Summus, this being London’s fourth Consistory.

The first President is Distinguished Companion David Ashbolt, better known as the Provincial Grand Master for London in the Mark Degree.
The Consistory will meet twice a year at 6.30pm and is aiming to attract working Companions, who can attend after office hours.