The longest day of the year came a day early this year for Hooks Cross Chapter No. 8705.

On Friday 20th June, the chapter embarked on a rather full day of ceremonies, with the Exaltation of Bro. John Wrangles, followed by the Installation of our new Principles E. Comps Frank Hadley, Peter Biram & Neil Godfrey.

The day started, after weeks of preparation, at 2.30pm with the then current MEZ, E. Comp. Mark Aitkins ´handing over the reins´ to E.Comp John Tombs who conducted the ceremony of Exaltation.
Hooks Cross is well known as being one of the forerunners in using ´Catechetical Working´ and had up to this meeting never split the PS work. This however changed on this occasion with Comps. Redford, Godfrey, Ratley & Robertson all playing their part in sharing the role for the first time in our history.

After the call off (which is not often needed at a Royal Arch meeting !), we were off again with the Annual Installation, witnessed by the Dep. Grand Superintendent, E. Comp Alan Ward, attended by E.Comp. Tony Lapsley & a handful of Prov. Officers.

E. Comp Alan, congratulated Hooks Cross Chapter on a wonderful day of ritual and noted the strength of the chapter with 5 new candidates coming in during the past year and still others in the pipeline to follow. He also thanked the chapter on their continued support of the 2009 festival (amongst others) and gratefully accepted a cheque for the sum of £900.00, which pushed the Chapter's total contribution to the festival to over £5000, enabling it to gain, Vice Patron status.

As the sun finally set on the days proceedings All agreed it was a long, but very rewarding & enjoyable day. The Scribe & DC (Comps Crawford & Cooper) then retired to the bar and bought each other a well earned & needed drink !!.

Ian Crawford - Scribe E