In this issue: THE • An Experience of a Lifetime • Masonic Marathon Man • Profiles and Presentations • Chapter Reports from around the District B • Redfern Kelly Centenary B MARCH 2009 • ISSUE 8 anneranner and more... A New Chapter The Officers of the newly constituted Chapter - Atrium RAC No. 31 with the Most Excellent and Supreme Grand King Journal of the www.dgracantrim.org £2.00 2009-2010 Calendar KEY Grand Chapter Stated Convocations District Grand Chapter Stated Convocations Committees of Inspection: Belfast East Antrim North Antrim Board of General Purposes APRIL Wed 1st 5.00pm Larne Masonic Centre East Antrim Committee of Inspection Mon 20th 2.00pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Belfast Area Committee Of Inspection Mon 27th 7.30pm Provincial Masonic Hall Rosemary St. Belfast District Grand Chapter Stated Convocation MAY Wed 6th 2.30pm Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch Grand Chapter Stated Convocation Fri 15th 5.00pm Ballymena Masonic Centre North Antrim Committee of Inspection Mon 18th 2.00pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Belfast Area Committee of Inspection Mon 18th 2.30pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Board of General Purposes JUNE Mon 1st 7.30pm Provincial Masonic Hall Rosemary St. Belfast District Grand Chapter Stated Convocation AUGUST Wed 5th 5.00pm Larne Masonic Centre East Antrim Committee of Inspection Fri 21st 5.00pm Ballymena Masonic Centre North Antrim Committee of Inspection SEPTEMBER Mon 14th 2.00pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Belfast Area Committee of Inspection Wed 16th 2.30pm Freemasons' Hall Dublin Grand Chapter Stated Convocation OCTOBER Mon 19th 2.00pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Board of General Purposes Mon 26th 7.30pm Provincial Masonic Hall Rosemary St. Belfast District Grand Chapter Stated Convocation NOVEMBER Wed 4th 2.30pm Freemasons’ Hall Dublin Grand Chapter Stated Convocation Wed 4th 5.00pm Larne Masonic Centre East Antrim Committee of Inspection Mon 9th 2.00pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Belfast Area Committee of Inspection Fri 20th 5.00pm Ballymena Masonic Centre North Antrim Committee of Inspection JANUARY Mon 18th 2.00pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Belfast Area Committee of Inspection Mon 18th 2.30pm Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square Belfast Board of General Purposes Sat 23rd 1.30pm Provincial Masonic Hall Belfast District Grand Chapter Stated Convocation FEBRUARY Wed 3rd 2.30pm Freemasons' Hall Dublin Grand Chapter Stated Convocation Wed 3rd 5.00pm Larne Masonic Centre East Antrim Committee of Inspection Fri 19th 5.00pm Ballymena Masonic Centre North Antrim Committee of Inspection South Ballinderry, Broomhedge, Crumlin, Lisburn Where Campanions Meet Antrim Area Antrim, Ballycastle, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus 253, 1012, Broughshane, Bushmills, Clough, South East Doagh,Whiteabbey Cullybackey, Portglenone, Portrush, North Antrim Area Randalstown,Templepatrick,Vowferry Antrim Area Ballycarry, Carrickfergus 313, Glenarm, Belfast City Arthur Square, Crumlin Road, Ligoniel Islandmagee, Larne, Straid East Area Antrim Area 2 www.dgracantrim.org Foreword by M. Ex. Comp. E. Cyril Ferguson, District Grand King. am very pleased to pen a few Contents words for this the Eighth I Edition of our Banner magazine. 2009 Calendar: From the First Edition the magazine 2 The year’s events at a glance has gone from strength to strength. RAC 31 Atrium: The articles supplied by our chapter members has Constited 25th October 2008 increased significantly,no doubt the Production Team, 4 quietly coaxing companions to submit items for Redfern Kelly: publication, is having an effect. I see the Banner as 5 Celebrating the Centenary an excellent vehicle, not only to promote and The Event of a Lifetime: increase our charity giving, but also to engender Maundy Money Presentation more awareness of the life and history of our 6 chapters. I would encourage everyone to purchase a Masonic Marathon Man copy and even to buy a second to give to a brother 7 Companion Jonny Steede who is not yet exalted! DGC Convocations I am very pleased to be afforded this opportunity of saying a big “Thank you” to our Editor for the June 2008 and January 2009 gatherings 8 dedication and meticulous preliminary work he does Masonry in Carrickfergus: in preparing the magazine for printing and also the 10 V.Ex. Comp. Robert Bashford Assistant Editor,Drew Coid, for giving of his time and Anointing Oil: talents to record photographically,as well as in print, important events at convocations over a wide area. 12 Its history and use in the R.A.C. Profiles and Presentations: Cyril Ferguson 14 M. Ex. Comp. James Ferguson Burnside M. Ex. Comp.Thomas F.K. Killen V.Ex. Comp.W.K. Carson M. Ex. Comp.William McKelvey Ex. Comp. Richard Arbuckle Editor’s Note V.Ex. Comp. James H. McClurg elcome to the new-look Banner magazine, I Marching Forward: Whope it pleases you. Rest assured that it will 19 Jim Lynch - not looking back, continue to be the journal of record for not standing still DGRACAntrim – an abbreviation which is the name of our website – www.dgracantrim.org - which I Chapter News: hope you will refer to and find useful as it develops 20A round up of events from around the in the coming months. county - Chapters 140, 1008, 45, 175, 1020, 56, 28, 313, 51, 246, 1012, 275, 335,189, 326, 450, 431, 57, 276 Companions Remembered: 29 Obituaries and tributes to Masons no longer with us The Banner, as always, needs your support. Keep Officers for 2009: those articles and advertisements coming – they are very welcome - and support our advertisers when A who’s who of DGRAC 32 you can.Advertising and editorial contact details are Production Details: on the back cover. The Production Team and how to contribute Wendell McGrath Editor and Assistant Grand King The Banner 3 M. Ex. & Supreme Grand King, M.Ex. Comp. Michael J.Ward, and the ROYAL ARCH Foundation members of Atrium R.A.C. No. 31 CHAPTER 31•Atrium A New Chapter by Alex Ireland eaders of The Banner may Square, Belfast, the Most Excellent Occasional Convocation of District recall that the 2007 Edition District Grand King, Most Excellent Chapter was closed and the Atrium Rcontained an article by the Companion E. Cyril Ferguson, Royal Arch Chapter No. 31 opened. Registrar of Ardath Royal Arch opened an Occasional Convocation The Most Excellent Deputy Grand Chapter No.573 in which he set out of District Grand Chapter and, after King installed the Council of the new some of the strengths of that Distinguished Companions were Chapter - Excellent Companions D. Chapter but pointed out that welcomed and saluted, the arrival of Gordon Lynn, Harold Marsden and dwindling numbers could lead to its the Most Excellent and Supreme Brian Mooney as King, High Priest demise.He invited other Chapters in Grand King, Most Excellent and Chief Scribe respectively.This he a similar position, which were Companion Michael J. Ward, was did in a masterly and exceptional interested in discussing a way announced.The Most Excellent and manner, which was as expected, by forward, to contact him. Several Supreme Grand King was conducted those who know him. Chapters responded and discussions to the dais where he was warmly The newly installed Excellent began in earnest in August that year. welcomed, offered the Sceptre, and King, Ex. Comp. D. Gordon Lynn, Right at the outset, it was agreed invited to preside. Having accepted proceeded to invest the remaining that amalgamation was the way the invitation, he was saluted in Officers in exemplary fashion. forward and, rather than risk accordance with ancient custom. Afterwards, in a brief address, he creating the impression that some He expressed his pleasure at stated that he felt greatly honoured Chapters were being "taken over" by being afforded the opportunity to and privileged at having been another,existing warrants should be preside over such an infrequent selected to serve as King of this new returned to Dublin and a totally new event and proceeded to conduct the Chapter. He remarked that the Chapter be formed. Ceremony of Constitution, formation of a new Chapter,in these Although as many as eight Consecration and Dedication of the days of falling membership,was both Chapters participated in the new Chapter. During this ceremony, bold and courageous, and it was up discussions at some stage, only four important parts were played by the to the Foundation Members to - Royal Arch Chapter numbers 229, Most Excellent District Grand King, work to ensure its success. He 259, 469 and 573 decided to his Deputy, Right Excellent thanked all those who had taken part proceed to amalgamation. Companion Jon. McA. Pollock, the in the Ceremony and,in particular,all Discussions continued into 2008, Assistant District Grand King, Right those who had participated in the first Officers were selected, by-laws Excellent Companion Richard discussions leading up to the prepared,and a petition presented to Aughey,the District Grand Chaplain, formation of the new Chapter, the Supreme Grand Chapter. Very Excellent Companion William Constituting Officers and all those Saturday, 25 October 2008 saw Halliday,the District Grand Director who had worked so hard in the the fruits of their labours when The of Ceremonies, Very Excellent arranging of the day’s events. Atrium Royal Arch Chapter No. 31 Companion William T. Brown, the After some other routine was born. As an atrium is the central District Grand Organist, Very business, the Chapter was closed feature of the adjacent and recently Excellent Companion Dr. Norman and the Companions retired to the constructed Victoria Centre so it is Close, and the District Grand Dining Room, where a sumptuous anticipated that the new Chapter will Registrar, Right Excellent dinner was provided and served by provide a focus for the regeneration Companion William J. Lynch. the resident caterer and her staff.