Developing an idea successfully being operated by the Mark Province of Middlesex for the promotion of inter-Lodge visiting, with the kind approval of the Mark Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro Peter Halls-Dickerson, the Middlesex Royal Arch Executive have introduced the ‘Travelling Pedestal’; the motivation behind which is to encourage Chapters with weaker membership to visit each other, thus increasing attendances and fostering a new sense of purpose and fellowship between members of the respective Chapters.

In this Royal Arch Province many of our Chapters receive few visitors, and seldom have contact with other Chapters and Centres. The Travelling Pedestal will encourage our members to remedy this situation by embracing the concept. The Pedestal contains a scroll whereon each Chapter enters their name, and the names and ranks of those in the presenting party, and the date and recipients of the visit. To underline the gravity of the event the hand over has its own short ritual. Ideally, within six weeks the Pedestal is passed on to another Chapter, in a different Middlesex Centre.

The inaugural presentation was made at Cole Court, Twickenham to Quadratic Chapter by a team from the Middlesex Executive consisting of the Deputy Grand Superintendent and the Second and Third Grand Principals.

In the Masonic year just coming to a close there have been five meetings when the Travelling Pedestal transferred from Chapter to Chapter. It started when Quadratic Chapter passed it to London Stone Chapter at Staines on 1st October, 2007. It then went to Silver Jubilee Chapter at Harrow on 28th January, 2008; to Jersey Chapter at Uxbridge on 15th April, Enfield Chapter at Southgate on 9th June and to Royal Middlesex Chapter at Harrow on 2nd July. At all of these meetings both the companions bringing the Travelling Pedestal and those receiving it had the double enjoyment, first of working the small amount of ritual that goes with the transfer and secondly taking the opportunity of extending the circle of their friends in the Province. In its initial journey the Travelling Pedestal has spent time in all of the Province’s five Centres.

The co-ordinator of the scheme, E.Comp Barry Barthorpe, actively guides the Pedestal through its travels by contacting Scribes directly to impart the good news that their Chapter is proposed as the next recipient. In this way it is planned that next season more Chapters and, of course, more companions will be involved in the

Travelling Pedestal Experience

so that they can enjoy visiting other Chapters and Centres, thereby fostering the fellowship and friendship this Order should be promoting.

If your Chapter has not yet been approached to be a recipient of the Travelling Pedestal and you would like to be included in the 2008/09 Season please contact Barry Barthorpe, via the Provincial Office – office@middlesexfreemasons.org.uk - without delay.

The first exchange in the 2008/09 season will be:

on 13th September, 2008 when
Royal Middlesex Chapter will be passing it to
Elliot Chapter at Staines