An exceptional event was held during the October 2025 meeting of a Royal Arch Chapter in Bridgend. A celebration meeting was held to mark the centenary of the Atholl Chapter No. 1752.
Supreme Grand Chapter had issued a Centenary Charter to the Chapter marking one hundred years of the Chapter meeting continuously.
The Companions present at the meeting took great delight in welcoming the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent E. Comp. Paul R. Clement together with the Deputy Grand Superintendent E. Comp. Martyn Wake and the Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals, E. Comp. Simon K.S. Daniel and E. Comp. Philip Bevan.
The original Charter from 1921 was read in full by the Provincial Grand Scribe E, E. Comp. Eifion W. Wynne.
The Scribe E of the Atholl Chapter, E. Comp. Andrew Wood presented a brief overview of the early years of the Chapter focussing on its formation. He highlighted the consecration of Monday December 12th, 1921, at the Masonic Hall, Adare Street in Bridgend. He explained that the use of the name Atholl has a number of meanings but within a Masonic context, ‘Atholl Freemasonry’ refers to the Freemasonry associated with the Antient Grand Lodge of England, also known as the “Atholl” or “Atholl Masons,” which existed in competition with the Premier Grand Lodge (the “Moderns”) before their unification in 1813. The name comes from the Dukes of Atholl, who served as Grand Masters of the Antients from the 1770s onwards, notably the 3rd and 4th Dukes. The Antients Grand Lodge was often referred to as the “Atholl” or “Atholl Masons” due to the significant influence of the Atholl family on the organisation.
He stated that the original minute book showed a series of preliminary meetings prior to Consecration, the first of which was on Friday the 13th of July 1920 in the anteroom of the Ogmore Lodge, Adare Street in Bridgend. Present at that meeting were J. McGregor, F. Lawrence, H Sloman, A Hale, P. Griffiths, H. Dare, H. Comley, W. Ruse, L. Lloyd and Dapho Powell.
He stated that these Masons had a clear vision and purposeful intent in setting up a Chapter in Bridgend. They made several important decisions in the preliminary meetings which laid solid foundations for the creation of the Chapter.
The Consecrating Officer in December 1921 was Most Excellent Companion Charles Edward Dovey, the Grand Superintendent of the Province of South Wales (Eastern Division) who was assisted by Most Excellent Companion Thomas George Dew as ‘H’ , Most Excellent Companion Arthur Markham as ‘J’ with Most Excellent Companion Arthur Llewellyn Hopkin as Scribe E. and Most Excellent Companion J. Calvin Watson as the Director of Ceremonies. It is worth noting that the Province was re designated as the Province of South Wales in March 2008. The Founders were present and were recorded as:
E.Comp. John Morgan – D. Rees Lewis Chapter No.110
E.Comp. Albert Taylor – Tennant Chapter No.1754
Comp. John McGregor – St. John’s Chapter No.36
Comp. Henry C. Sloman – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Edgar Lewis – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. J Salisbury Jones – St, John’s Chapter No.36
Comp. Frederick Wm. Lawrence – Marmaduke Tennant No.1992
Comp. Alfred G. Evans – St, John’s Chapter No.36
Comp. Emile Wautier
Comp. John H. Tapp – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Eirwyn Wm. Davies – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Herbert Woodward – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Wyn L. Hitchings – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. George Cunningham – Loyal Welch Chapter No.378
Comp. Alfred Hale – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Dapho. Ll. Powell – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Laurence Sensicle – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Robert Horrocks – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
Comp. Oswald J. Curran – Talbot Chapter No.1323
Comp. Ted Thomas – Llynfi Chapter No.2965
In addition, there were thirteen Visitors present including those from Marmaduke Tennant and Naunton Davies Chapters. Of note, at the meeting of 1921, thanks were extended to the Llynfi Chapter for loaning the jewels, banners and regalia and for the assistance given in preparation for the Consecration. Likewise, the Chapter would confer Honorary Membership on each of the Consecrating Officers as a mark of appreciation.
E. Comp. Wood explained that before the October meeting in 1922, a request was made in August, to the then present Duke of Atholl was made regarding his crest.
The following reply was received.
Dear Sir and Brother,
In reply to your letter of the 8th instant I shall be glad to give permission for my crest or coat of arms to be used by the Chapter as the centre of their crest. I was very interested at the facsimile charter you sent me.
Yours fraternally,
Atholl.
Following the permission to use the crest, the Chapter invited the Duke to become an Honorary Member.
In common with other Lodges and Chapters, the 1920s saw a large increase in those interested in joining both Craft and Royal Arch. Primarily, this may be attributed to the events of 1914 to 1918 with men looking towards a future after the terrible course of the war. An average of four Exaltations each meeting was undertaken at this time.
The Convocations of April 1933, May 1933 and October 1933 were held in the Café Royal in Dunraven Street Bridgend. This, it seems, was by dispensation as the Masonic Hall in Adare Street was being rebuilt. One of these meetings included an Exaltation taking place in the restaurant. The December 1933 meeting though was held in the Masonic Temple in Pontyclun as it was an Installation Convocation. This arrangement extended to the February meeting as well. Such arrangements reflected the quiet determination to establish a sound foundation for all meeting of the Chapter.
He continued by reflecting about to a poignant period of its history as war was declared on September 3rd, 1939. The November meeting of 1939 illustrated the change in terms of organisation and availability of men. The phrase ‘To Exalt duly qualified Candidates’ appeared on summonses. This appears to indicate that the Chapter was prepared to Exalt those who were or became available during challenging times.
E. Comp. Andrew Wood concluded by highlighting certain planned elements which linked the Consecration in 1921 and the celebration being held. Firstly, the Executive attending the Consecration of the Chapter were all invited to become Honorary members and that the Grand Superintendent, the Deputy Grand Superintendent and the Second and Third Provincial Principals had become Honorary Members at the meeting.
Secondly, Invitees from some of the Chapters who were present in 1921 were attending that evening notable from the Llynfi and Marmaduke Tennant Chapters as well as representatives from the Bridgend Chapters.
In addition, the musical harmony, so excellently provided on the organ by E. Comp. J. Lyndon Howells, Past Provincial Second Grand Principal, was taken from a Royal Arch Musical Service book was used at the first meeting of the Chapter.
E. Comp. Philip Bevan, Third Provincial Grand Principal, then delivered an oration reflecting on the historical contexts during the existence of the Chapter. This was well received by the Companions as it covered very many social and cultural aspects of the period.
The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent then graciously presented the Centenary Charter to the Companions of the Atholl Chapter in a most memorable manner which was a perfect tribute to those Companions who had been members of the Chapter throughout its history. This was greatly appreciated by all Companions present.
The First Principal of the Chapter E. Comp. Michael Flangan said, ‘This has been a wonderful event. The Second and Third Principals, E. Comp. Phillip Aubrey and E. Comp. Kevin Robertson and I are delighted the Grand Superintendent and his Executive. They conducted the ceremony to the enjoyment of the Companions, and we are grateful for that.’
The Scribe E., E. Comp. Andrew Wood stated that he was very grateful for the support and dedication given by the Provincial Scribe E, E. Comp. Eifion W. Wynne and the Assistant Scribe E. , E. Comp. Kevin Mitchell in arranging such a splendid evening.
Pictured here are three Companions of the Atholl Chapter who have received ‘40-year Service Certificates’ – E. Comp. Brian Davies, E. Comp. Ken Roberts, E. Comp. Phillip Edwards (left to right)
A Centenary Celebration – by Andrew Wood
