Essex Chapter No 894
The Travelling Rose was introduced to members of the South Essex Sovereigns Chapter – Essex Chapter No 894 – on Monday 31st October 2022. It was presented to the Most Wise Sovereign, Ill. Bro. Jim Smith 30o by the Inspector General, V.Ill. Bro. John Reginald Hubbard 33o.
Prittlewell St Mary Chapter No 379
The 
next phase of the Travelling Rose’s journey took place at the Prittlewell St Mary Chapter meeting on 25th November, 2022. The Travelling Rose was presented to the Most Wise Sovereign, E&P. Bro. Trevor Jewell, by Ill. Bro. Jim Smith, MWS of Essex Chapter No 894. He was accompanied by Ill. Bro. Colin Innes and a significant number of 894 members were also present. E&P. Bro. Trevor thanked Ill. Bro. Jim for making the presentation and presented him with a cheque for the charity of his choice – Christians Against Poverty.
Chingford Chapter No 850
On Thursday 15th December 2022 E&P. Bro. Trevor Jewell, Most Wise Sovereign of Prittlewell St Mary Chapter No 379, accompanied by his Prelate, Ill. Bro. David Wolland braved the freezing temperatures to travel from Southend to Chingford to present the Travelling Rose to Chingford Chapter No 850. The Rose was gratefully received by the new Most Wise Sovereign, Ill. Bro. Philip Brimley. The members of Chingford Chapter voted a generous donation to the charity of E&P. Bro. Trevor’s choice which is Pholk Care Ltd.
E&P. Bro. Trevor thanked the members for their generosity and gave a brief explanation of the marvellous work that the charity does in the community.
Wickford & Langdon Hills Chapter No 835
On Tuesday 10th January 2023 Ill Bro. Derek Mersh representing the MWS of Chingford Chapter No 850 Ill. Bro. Philip Brimley, accompanied by Ill.Bro. Michael Robinson attended the Enthronement meeting of the Wickford & Langdon Hills Chapter Rose Croix No 835 to present their MWS Ill. Bro. Bill King with the Travelling Rose on the next leg of its journey around the Chapters of South Essex. The members of Wickford & Langdon Hills Chapter then voted a generous donation to the charity of Chingford Chapter’s choice which is ‘Eat or Heat – Waltham Forest Food Bank’, a charity based in Walthamstow that endeavours to help feed people in these times of austerity. Ill. Bro. Derek Mersh thanked the members for their kind donation.
Grays & Eagle Chapter No 464 – 1st February 2023
The next stop on my journey around the Chapters of the Province of South Essex was on Tuesday 1st February 2023 when I was presented to E. & P. Bro. Alan Gold, MWS of the Grays and Eagle Chapter Rose Croix No 464 at their regular meeting by Ill. Bro. Brian Smith representing the MWS of the Wickford & Langdon Hills Chapter No 835 Ill. Bro. Bill King who was unavailable, accompanied by Ill. Bro. David Wilmot and 3 other Brethren of the Wickford & Langdon Hills Chapter. The members of the Grays and Eagle Chapter then voted to make a generous donation to the charity of Wickford & Langdon Hills Chapter’s choice which was Cancer Research. Ill. Bro. Brian Smith thanked the members for their kind donation.
Crossed Keys Chapter No 629 – 6th March 2023
At the meeting of Crossed Keys Chapter No 629 on Monday 6th March 2023 Ill. Bro. John Mansfield was Enthroned as Most Wise Sovereign. Ill. Bro. Ian Stevenson of Grays and Eagle Chapter No 464 was in attendance to present Ill. Bro. John with the Travelling Rose as it continues its journey around the Chapters of the District. He said how pleased and proud he was to be able to make the presentation on behalf of his Chapter.
The members of the Crossed Keys Chapter then voted to make a generous donation to the charity of Grays and Eagle Chapter’s choice. Ill. Bro. Ian thanked the members for their generosity and advised that the donation will be added to funds already available for donations in the near future.
De Vere Chapter No 831 – 5th April 2023
Settled into my new home at Crossed Keys Chapter No. 629, I was suddenly on my travels again. This time I was escorted by Ill. Bro. John Mansfield, MWS of Crossed Keys Chapter No. 629, accompanied by Ill. Bro. Peter Lindell their Recorder on my journey to De Vere Chapter No831. During the meeting Ill. Bro. John Mansfield passed ownership of the Travelling Rose to E. & P. Bro. Michael West, MWS of De Vere Chapter. It was then proposed and approved that the Chapter will donate £100.00 to a charity of Crossed Keys choice. It was later agreed that the £100.00 will be donated to the Essex Provincial Almoner’s Fund where it will be used to help support the charities supported by the Essex Provincial Almoners Fund.
In the words of the Canned Heat hit “I’m on the Road Again”. This time I am on my way to Holy Mount Chapter escorted by the Most Wise Sovereign of De Vere Chapter, E. & P. Bro. Michael West, accompanied by E. & P. Bro. Glen Remblance. During the meeting E. & P. Bro. Michael West passed ownership of The Travelling Rose to E. & P. Bro. Chris Cook. It was then proposed and approved that the Chapter will donate £100.00 to a charity of De Vere’s choice which was Clowns in the Sky, a charity dedicated to the research and treatment of childhood brain tumours and to the welfare of affected children and their families.Travelling Rose – Episode 9
Luckily, I avoided the “Highway to Hell” (AC/DC) on this trip as both chapters are located at Chingford and the short journey was under the watchful eye of the Revd. Mick Scotchmer, Recorder of Stanley Frohnsdorff Chapter. The Travelling Rose was presented by the Most Wise Sovereign of Holy Mount Chapter, E. & P. Bro. Chris Cook, accompanied by his good friend E. & P. Bro. Alan Gold of Grays & Eagle Chapter and delivered into the safe hands of E. & P. Bro. Richard Holmes, Most Wise Sovereign of Stanley Frohnsdorff Chapter. It was then proposed and approved that the Chapter will donate £50.00 to a charity of Hutton Mount’s choice which was The Willow Foundation. This charity was founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs, as a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31. They provide bespoke treats and experiences for seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds and their loved ones.
Hutton Chapter No 680 – 17th July 2023
Travelling Rose Episode # 10: 17th July 2023.
Travelling Rose Episode # 12: 20th October 2023.
Having spent Christmas with the St. Katherine’s Chapter No. 608 it was time to continue my travels around the District of South Essex and travel between Rochford and Southend. This time I was escorted by the following members of St Katherine’s Chapter No. 608, Ill. Bro. Ross Martin – Treasurer, Ill. Bro. Alan Reynolds – Recorder, Ill. Bro. Roger Howorth – Director of Ceremonies and E.& P. Bro. John Bond – Captain of the Guard on my journey to Chapter of Eternity No. 763. During the meeting, Ill. Bro. Ross Martin, who was deputising for E. & P. Bro. Gordon Goodall, MWS of St. Katherine’s Chapter No. 608 who was unable to attend today’s meeting, passed the ownership of the Travelling Rose to E. & P. Bro. Alan Freeman, MWS of the Chapter of Eternity No. 763. It was then proposed and approved that the Chapter of Eternity will donate £100.00 to a charity of St.Katherine’s choice which was Karis’ Helping Hand which can help families where their child is suffering from a brain tumour in the following ways.Episode #14: 25th March 2024.
Having spent a few weeks in the care of Chapter of Eternity No. 763 it was time to continue my travels
around the District of South Essex and head from Southend to Upminster. A strong contingent of Eternity members escorted me along to Courtenay Chapter No 728. Unfortunately their MWS, E&P. Bro. Mike Steeds was unwell so Ill. Bro. Joe Webster was called on to perform his duties. After an excellent ceremony of Perfection E. & P. Bro. Alan Freeman, MWS of the Chapter of Eternity No. 763 presented the Travelling Rose according to custom. It was gratefully received by Ill. Bro Joe together with Ill. Bros. John Appleton and Graham Jeffries. It was then proposed and approved that Courtenay Chapter donate £100.00 to ‘Breast Cancer Now’, the charity of E&P. Bro Alan’s choice. The customary photo was taken and included too many members of Chapter of Eternity to mention by name.
Next Stop: Essex Quadrant Chapter No 501 – 25th April 2024