On Wednesday the 14th October 2015 the amalgamation of Eagle Chapter No750 with Grays Chapter No464 took place at the Cross Keys Masonic Centre at Chadwell St Mary being only the second time in all the years of the Rose Croix Order history that such a Ceremony, conducted by members of Supreme Council had ever taken place.
The Amalgamation Meeting commenced when M.Ill Bro William Hanbury-Bateman 33º Grand Marshal accepted the Baton from the Most Wise Sovereign of Grays Chapter and conducted the proceedings ably assisted by V.Ill Bro Dr Nigel Williams 33º IG Cambridge and Isle of Ely as 1st General, Ill Bro Michael Robinson 32º DR South Essex as 2nd General, V.Ill Bro. Michael Withams 33º IG North Essex as Prelate ,V.Ill Bro Nick Bosanquet 33º Grand Director of Ceremonies 33º ,Ill Bro Bob Helliar 32º Grand Outer Guard and Ill Bro Bob Allder 32º as Organist.
The meeting proceeded with the original Warrant of Eagle Chapter being surrendered to Supreme Council in a very moving and separate Ceremony. The meeting then progressed to the Merger of the two Chapters to form the new named Chapter as being Grays and Eagle Chapter No464. Some 70 members from the District including District Recorders and guests from other Districts witnessed what can only be described as a very unique and unusual Ceremony ,very rarely seen ,which was performed with a great depth feeling and compassion that to all who were present. Red Roses were scattered and the newly named combined Chapter was then deemed to have been duly formed and the Supreme Council Chapter Warrant handed over to the Recorder.
The Meeting was followed by a superb festive Board to celebrate the birth of this new Chapter to the delight of all in attendance. A rooted Rose Tree was presented to M.Ill Bro William Hanbury-Bateman, from the newly formed Chapter members to mark the occasion, to symbolise this very special day which he was absolutely delighted to receive. Needless to say there was a lift back home arranged already which made this possible for the Chapter Recorder to consider presenting beforehand.
V.Ill Bro Peter Holland together with myself attended a very special meeting of Prittlewell St Mary Chapter No 379 at Saxon Hall Southend on Friday 27th November 2015 when they invited V.Ill Bro Ted Bentley 33º from the KEVII Demonstration Team together with Ill Bro Peter Brockbank 32º to demonstrate and explain the regalia worn in the Intermediate Degrees from the 4th to the 17th inclusive which was very informative and interesting to the members and many guests in attendance. These various degrees are demonstrated by the team throughout the country at various times each year. Afterwards all dined together at an excellent festive board that was enjoyed by all.
Our Inspector General V.Ill Bro Peter Holland 33º is delighted to be able to announce that the South Essex District of the Rose Croix has now launched a new Web Site on Xmas Eve which can be accessed as www.southessexrosecroix.org.uk
This was an ambition and top priority that Peter had from the time that he was invested in September. Much appreciation and thanks must go to Ill Bro Eric Terry Recorder of Chapter of Eternity No763 and his son Martin for building the site and for all the pre-site work undertaken by Ill Bro Brian Wright and his team earlier in the year that made this all possible. Bro Eric is also the Web Master controlling the site and we must thank him for so willingly taking this task on board for us all and for the good of the Order. We must thank everyone concerned for all the dedicated work undertaken so as to make this happen for the start of 2016 very well done.
Many congratulations also to V.Ill.Bro Brian Foulkes 33º Inspector General Designate for North Essex, wishing him many years of happiness and enjoyment in his forthcoming new role as Inspector General for North Essex Rose Croix and also at the same time wishing V.Ill Bro Michael Withams 33º many Happy and Healthy future years on his retirement as Inspector General after having given so many years of dedication and commitment to the Order .