This Team Visit was taken to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Consecration of Abbey Chapter back in 1992. The team undertook the Ceremony of The Veils as part of this celebration, which was the fifth time it has been undertaken in Somerset. All the five Chapters were Consecrated by E Comp Tom Hughes during his time as Grand Superintendent in and over the Province of Somerset.
The Chapter was taken over by the Team from 5:00pm so that they could do a couple of run-throughs of the ceremony with E Comp Chris Moore (PrGDC), and others, getting the timing and actions correct. Though several of the Team arrived late because of traffic it was handy that several run-throughs were had!
The Chapter opened at 6:30pm and E Comp Chris announced that MEGS E Comp D John Bennett was without accompanied by the Provincial Team and demanded admission. The Team entered in procession and MEGS was greeted by E Comp Jason Jordan, First Principal of Abbey Chapter, who proffered him the Sceptre which MEGS returned stating that he would be taking it over later in the evening.
Item 3 on the Agenda was the sad announcement of three passings of E Companions of Abbey and a Eulogy was given by E Comp Graham Clack, DC. Companions stood to order for departed merit. After the next item the Somerset Sceptre was delivered to MEZ by E Comp Phil Mattingley, MEZ of St Lukes Chapter, No 6540, accompanied by a goodly number of his Chapter which was received with thanks.
E Comp Clive Lambert presented a Grand Chapter Certificate to Comp Robert Ross, who had just received his collar as 1st Ass Sojourner! Promotion is rapid in Abbey Chapter! After this the Charity Steward, E Comp Brian Hook, proposed that two donations of £400 to be given to MEGS’s Charity and the First Principal’s chosen charity (Keynsham Mencap). With the speed of light a cheque was presented to MEGS who thanked the Chapter for its kind donation.
After the Risings the chapter was closed and MEGS was placed in the 1st Principal’s Chair and the PrGDC was asked to place the Provincial Team in their respective chairs to perform The Ceremony of the Veils. Abbey’s E Comp Ray Sheppard acted as the candidate and retired to re-clothe himself as a MM. The knocks being given E Comp John Griffin, Prov Janitor announced Ray’s return to E Comp David Lyons, Prov Scribe N, who then escorted E Comp Ray through the Ceremony of The Veils. This ceremony was narrated by E Comp Barry Woodside, DepGS, and gave a full description of what was happening and how it related historically to the ceremony carried out by many Chapters in the 1800s.
Once the Team had finished the demonstration the companions retired from the Chapter for the Festive Board which was a delightful meal of Garlic Mushrooms, Lasagna and Chips then Strawberry Trifle finished off with coffee. Each companion dining received a special celebratory bottle of either Chilean Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc as a souvenir of the 25th Anniversary.
