Tuesday 2nd December heralded in the start of the new Chapter year for White Ensign with the installation of the 3 Principals of the Chapter. Some 26 Companions were in attendance including the Provincial team which consisted of E.Comp John Crowther, E.Comp Steve Middleditch, E.Comp Barry Griffin and E.Comp Alan Bolton. The Chapter was opened by the Provincial team and the Pedestal illuminated. E.Comp Ian Fothergill delivered a eulogy to the sad passing of E.Comp Roger Shayes.
E.Comp Ian Fothergill was proclaimed as MEZ for the ensuing year, E.Comp Len Venables was installed as ‘H’ and Comp Steve Moody was installed as ‘J’ for the ensuing year. The Chapter officers for then invested by the MEZ for the ensuing year. E.Comp Ian Fothergill thanked the now IPZ, E.Comp Martin Green for his work and then subsequently reminisced that he was the Primus MEZ when the Chapter was founded some 19 years ago and was very pleased to be back at the helm again. The Chapter was closed and the Companions retired for a tot of rum and into the festive board. The alms collection amounted to £140 and the raffle a further £100, the total for the evening being £240. The money being distributed to charities in due course by the Charity Steward of the Chapter, Comp. Mike Wroe.
