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Aldersgate Chapter of Improvement Annual Dinner May 30th 2013


The London Eye from the Hispaniola.


E. Comp Tallon and the cheque.


These five Companions are the only people in the world with word-perfect Ceremonies in Emulation & Aldersgate Ritual working. Anderson Ricardo Wilson (348) PM/PZ, Jayson Brinkler (349) PZ, Huw Shooter (332) PM/PZ, Arthur Lea (345) PM, Richard Wood (340) PM.


I


n the evening of May 30th, seventy- five companions converged on the


good ship “Hispaniola”, moored on the embankment of the Thames, just opposite the London Eye. The occasion was the annual dinner of the Aldersgate Chapter of Improvement; after refreshments at the bar, the companions took to their seats to be served a menu of Cured Salmon, Welsh Lamb and dessert. After dinner, the President, E.


Comp. Bill White, PGStB, rose to present his opening remarks, stating that the last year had the best attendance in many years. He also mentioned the quality of the work done, and commended the only people in the world with word-perfect Ceremonies in Emulation and Aldersgate Working, as listed in the caption above. He also praised E. Comp. Keith Tallon’s exceptional work in researching and writing the forthcoming book: “IT IS FOUND”, which is to be published in connection with the forthcoming Royal Arch festivities (see also page


SUMMER 2013


16). Bill White stated that E. Comp. John Hamill’s planned presentation was prevented by an urgent family emergency; however help was at hand, as E. Comp Keith Tallon had taken up the gauntlet, at very short notice, and would give a presentation on: The Evolution of the Royal Arch Ritual 1834/35: A long time after the Union of the


Grand Lodges and Grand Chapters in 1813 and 1817 respectively, it was decided in 1834 to set up a Committee charged with the task of clarifying and confirming the Royal Arch ceremonies. He commented on the first printed Royal Arch ritual by George Claret in 1845 and gave a detailed account of his searches for the “original” 1834 ritual, resulting in its eventual discovery. He then compared Claret’s ritual with that of the Chapter of Promulgation, and went on to compare it with the current rituals. At the annual Aldersgate CoI


dinner, it is tradition that a donation is made to the main speaker’s charity of


choice. As John Hamill had chosen the Library & Museum Charitable Trust as the recipient of said donation, the substitute speaker, Keith Tallon, seconded this donation, as the Library had given him so much in terms of his research. Thus a cheque of £500 was presented by Bill White. A vote of thanks was proposed and


carried. A toast to the visitors was proposed


by E. Comp. Richard Wood, M.E.Z., Aldersgate Chapter No. 1657, and responded to by E. Comp. Richard Greenhill, Metropolitan Grand Inspector, who gave thanks for the excellent way the toast was proposed, and stated that the annual dinner was an important event for Royal Arch in London, regardless of ritual. He said he was engaged in setting up more CoI’s using Aldersgate CoI to help out. He also congratulated the very high standard and enthusiasm he had seen in action, wishing Aldersgate well in the future, and hoped that many of the visitors would become members.


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