The Consecration of Carolean Council No 347 took place on April 23rd, amidst a full room of Companions at the West Bromwich Masonic Hall in the heart of the West Midlands, becoming a Warwickshire Council. The Grand Master, M Ill Comp Kessick John Jones, IX, was the Consecrating Presiding Officer, assisted by an extensive team of acting Grand Officers who had headed for the exciting Consecration of this new Council, being named Carolean to mark the reign of King Charles III.
After appointing his Assisting Officers, the Consecrating Officer opened a Council of Select Masters, and explained the purpose of the meeting, and the form in which it was to proceed. As is customary, the Petitioners (subsequently named as the Founders) were placed progressively in a square, circle and triangle around the Ark of the Covenant.
Above – the Founders of the new Chapter,
The Consecrating Officer, perambulating around the centre, as is the custom carried out during the ceremony with corn, wine, oil and salt, those being the wages which were paid to our ancient brethren, and identifying particular beneficial elements during the ceremony. During the consecration, the Presiding Officer was assisted by the Deputy Grand Master, R Ill Comp Paul Anthony Norman, IX, and the Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, R Ill Comp Norman Dunkeld Milburn, IX. The Grand Chaplain, V Ill Comp Dr Vivian Thomas, read passages from the volume of the Sacred Law throughout the different stages of the ceremony, whilst all present sang verses from the consecration hymn.
The consecration vessels are shown below:
Following the constitution, dedication and consecration of the new Council, the Consecrating Officer invited R Ill Comp Kenneth Downes, District Grand Master for Wyvern District to be the Installing Officer. In a perfect ceremony, R Ill Comp Downes installed R Ill Comp Peter Wellings, District Grand Master for Warwickshire District as first Thrice Illustrious Master of the new Council. The newly installed T.I.M. then proceeded to appoint his team of Officers, with Ill Comp Peter Stokes (the Deputy DistGM) as Deputy Master, and Ill Comp Christopher Denley (the DistGPCW) as Principal Conductor of the Work.
The Principals of the Council are shown below – Thrice Illustrious Master, R Ill Comp Peter Wellings, Deputy Master Ill Comp Stokes, Ill Comp Christopher Denley, Principal Conductor of the Work.
Below – The three Principals of the Chapter with the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Principal Conductor of the Work.
In a gesture of thanks, the Thrice Illustrious Master proposed that the Consecrating Officer and his entire team of Assisting Officers be elected to Honorary membership of the new Council. The Thrice Illustrious Master paid a handsome tribute to the extensive efforts that Ill Comp Christopher Denley had made, right from the first conception of the idea of a new Council, through to its execution and to today’s successful conclusion.
Above – The Consecrating Officer with the first Carolean Thrice Illustrious Master
At this point, after acknowledging this honour, the Consecrating Officer, M Ill Comp Kessick John Jones, with his full team, retired from the Council, leaving Council business to be carried out.
Below – The entire Grand Officers team.
Essential Council business was then quickly transacted, and all present subsequently retired to a splendid festive board. There were approximately 65 present, including the visiting Consecration team, visitors from other Districts and the Council Founders.
Below – Thrice Illustrious Master and Consecrating Officer with past and present District Grand Masters:
Below – Awaiting the arrival of the M W Grand Master at the Festive Board
With thanks to Comp Geoff Walker, Ill Comp Peter Stokes and Ill Comp Jon Lish for the photographs – report by Ill Comp John Hayward.