The Installation of Excellent Companion Richard Vernon Gutteridge as Grand Superintendent in and over Nottinghamshire was held on Friday 20th May 2011 at the Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham.

The Most Excellent Second Grand Principal, George Pipon Francis opened Provincial Grand Chapter at 11:30am assisted by Excellent Companion Tom Briggs, Grand Superintendent in and over Derbyshire and Excellent Companion John Saint, Grand Superintendent in and over Warwickshire, acting as Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals respectively.

In attendance, and taking part in the ceremony were the following Grand Lodge Officers, Excellent Companions: Oliver Lodge - Grand Director of Ceremonies Alistair Townsend - Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Graham Redman – Assistant Grand Scribe E Charles Hopkinson-Woolley - Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Malcolm Brooks – Grand Janitor

Also in attendance were 251 visiting Companions and Companions of the Province.

Once installed, The Grand Superintendent proceeded to install his Principal Officers: Excellent Companion Mark Holliday, PGStB, as Second Provincial Grand Principal Excellent Companion Tony Hopewell, PPrGScN, as Third Provincial Grand Principal and re-appointed Excellent Companion Tony Allwood, PGSwdB, as Deputy Provincial Grand Superintendent.

The Grand Superintendent gave a short address to the meeting after which Provincial Grand Chapter was 'Called Off' and over 200 Companions enjoyed a splendid lunch - at which the appropriate toasts were given.

After lunch, the Grand Superintendent was presented with the 'Kent Cube' by the Most Excellent Second Grand Principal. The Grand Superintendent reciprocated by presenting the Most Excellent Second Grand Principal with a pair of 'Paul Smith' cufflinks and a pair of red socks to remind him of his visit to Nottinghamshire.

At 3:00pm Provincial Grand Chapter was 'Called On' and 247 Companions witnessed the Grand Superintendent receiving reports from the First Principals of the Nottinghamshire Chapters and conferring his appointments and promotions of Officers in Provincial Grand Chapter. The Grand Superintendent addressed the meeting and the Annual Convocation was then closed in due form.

One of the first things the new Grand Superintendent did in his address was to place on record our thanks to Excellent Companion John Howitt for leading this Royal Arch province so well over the last ten years. This has not been an easy time for Royal Arch masonry and we have always appreciated his guidance and friendly manner. The new Grand Superintendent went on to say that he continued to greatly value John’s advice and encouragement.

Excellent Companion Mark F Holliday, Second Provincial Grand Principal.

Photograph

Installing Team:

Back Row A Townsend, G Redman, O Lodge, A T Allwood, R N Howarth, C Hopkinson-Wooley Front Row J Saint, T Briggs, G P Francis, R V Gutteridge, M F Holliday, T Hopewell

Provincial Team

Back Row DF Dickens, CC Adkin, C D Davis, SA Haywood, FM Gee Front Row AT Allwood, MF Holliday, RV Gutteridge, T Hopewell, DG Easty

Images reproduced by the kind authority of the Provincial Webmaster (copyright)