Thursday 21st October 2016 saw the Western Area of the Province of East Lancashire host a Provincial Grand Chapter Olde English Night at the Bury Masonic Hall hosted by the Patch APGP David Dunn and what an evening we had.
I have to admit that this was the first Olde English Night I have attended and I can genuinely say I will be attending many more. For those not in the know, such as I was, the format is rather basic. Non Royal Arch Companions, non masons and Ladies are all welcome, if not encouraged to attend. The evening comprised of a social gathering in the bar area then an amazing meal in the dining room followed by entertainment. Simple really.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was EComp John R T Cavanagh PProvGSN……….now comes the catch……..the Master of Ceremonies was also known by the title……….Fines Master. His job was to entertain the guests during the meal whilst fining them for any indiscretions, such as not being born in Lancashire-20p, leaving the room-20p, not laughing at the Fines Masters humour-20p and so on. In total there were 50 offences for which you could be fined plus anything the Fines Master saw fit, along with of course the ratting slips used to grass on your fellow diners. It lead to a most entertaining evening.
Thursday 21st October 2016 saw the Western Area of the Province of East Lancashire host a Provincial Grand Chapter Olde English Night at the Bury Masonic Hall hosted by the Patch APGP David Dunn and what an evening we had.
I have to admit that this was the first Olde English Night I have attended and I can genuinely say I will be attending many more. For those not in the know, such as I was, the format is rather basic. Non Royal Arch Companions, non masons and Ladies are all welcome, if not encouraged to attend. The evening comprised of a social gathering in the bar area then an amazing meal in the dining room followed by entertainment. Simple really.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was EComp John R T Cavanagh PProvGSN……….now comes the catch……..the Master of Ceremonies was also known by the title……….Fines Master. His job was to entertain the guests during the meal whilst fining them for any indiscretions, such as not being born in Lancashire-20p, leaving the room-20p, not laughing at the Fines Masters humour-20p and so on. In total there were 50 offences for which you could be fined plus anything the Fines Master saw fit, along with of course the ratting slips used to grass on your fellow diners. It lead to a most entertaining evening.
Attending such an evening made you pleased not to be of a significant Royal Arch rank. EComp Dunn, the patch APGP, the Deputy Grand Superintendent EComp Paul M A Rose PGSwdB and the Second Provincial Grand Principal EComp David H Thompson PAGSoj, were particularly targeted by the Fines Master.
That said David Thompson was presented with a most generous gift on behalf of the ME Grand Superintendent for all his services as the Second Provincial Grand Principal. The gift had been entrusted to the Fines Master who took great pleasure in presenting him with a sack!!!!!!!
The meal was amazing, the company excellent and the entertainment was spectacular. The Houghton Weavers were just brilliant as was Steve Morris.
So what is the point of such an evening. Well its three fold in the main. 1) To bring people together to enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere, 2) To raise awareness of the Royal Arch, and 3) To raise money for Charity. You can also add that it was a fantastic evening.
So in just a matter of hours the evening raised £600 for charity. A case of wine was won by Barbara Ellis in the raffle and Len Hayes bagged himself a CD of Lancashire Songs. I know of at least one person who will soon be a Royal Arch Companion and start, what in my humble opinion, is the most beautiful masonic experience.
A huge thanks goes to David Dunn, Roger Bowden and all who helped organise this event. Also to John Cavanagh, Mad Mick and Grumpy Graham of the Royal Arch Presentation Team for parting us from our cash. I am sure that many other folk need thanking too but I can’t list everyone as I’m just too lazy.
The best fine of the evening was for a male attendee, dressed as a woman and allowed himself to be photographed as such. I shall not mention of whom I speak as I like being in the Royal Arch. I have pondered long and hard, should I publish the said photograph or not. As a result of the pondering I shall say that should you wish to see the said photograph then you must attend a Royal Arch Olde English Night!!!!!!!!
I know the Deputy Grand Superintendent expressed a wish for each area of the Province to hold such an evening. I’m sure they will all be just as amazing as this evening was and I shall hopefully be attending them all. If you’ve never been then go, if you have been, then please go again.
£600 in a matter of hours………..
