The Provincial Team helps Chapter Marine welcome two new Companions

The companions of Chapter Marine were delighted to receive the Grand Superintendent and his team at their October 2025 meeting. Delight was however taken to a whole new level when Ray led his team in a near perfect Savage Ritual ceremony, to exalt Worshipful Brothers Steve Blewitt and Tony Bryant of Tennyson lodge, now companions of the order. Excellent companion Roger Karn was outstanding in presenting his ritual in a superbly clear and most eloquent manner.

Following the double exaltation, excellent companion  Matt Westley helped celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Chapter Marine, by giving a short and interesting presentation on the history of the chapter. Chapter Marine is closely connected to Lodge Marine, and both Chapter and Lodge can be traced back to the late 1800s in Calcutta, India.

Matts presentation of the history of Chapter Marine had to be kept reasonably short as it was immediately followed by a presentation by the Grand Superintendent, to excellent companion Matt, to mark his 50th year as a Royal Arch companion.
Chapter Marine is very lucky to have such a dedicated Mason as Matt, who’s Masonic career includes being a subscribing member of 3 Craft lodges, and an honorary member of 8. A Past Grand Standard Bear in Royal Arch, where he is also a subscribing member of 5 chapters, an honorary member of one, and the founder of 3. Matt is also a member in a plethora of companion orders and plays the organ for an estimated 41 masonic units.

By this point in the proceedings, only items 1 to 8 of 19 were complete. Item 9 was to vote on donations to the Portishead Men’s Shed, and the Springboard charity, and at item 10, the chapter elected Principals for next year, who are excellent companions Start Petty, Wayne Kelly and Stephen Harris as Zerubbabel, Haggai and Joshua respectively. The chapter also nominated the elected treasurer, excellent companion Robert Baylis.

The next item on the agenda, was to receive an engaging and well received update on the membership challenge from excellent companion  Graham Puddy, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal.

With stomachs rumbling around the room, the Principals pressed ahead at pace, in order that everyone could retire to the Festive Board for a French themed menu. This was as usual, absolutely delicious, and was accompanied by lively chat and laughter all around the dining room, something that carried on long after the Tylers toast.

If only it was possible to bottle some of the amazing atmosphere felt in the chapter and in the dining room 🙂