OVER 50 freemasons from the Masonic provinces of Cornwall and Devon assembled in Bude recently for the annual installation meeting of Granville Chapter.

The members and guests, known as companions, were delighted to be able to welcome the leaders of both provinces, David Pascoe from Cornwall and Simon Rowe from Devon. The Masonic hall was packed to near capacity to witness the ceremony of installing companion, Charles Yelland, into the chair of Granville Chapter as first principal.

Also elected and installed to serve alongside him for the next 12 months were Derek Prouse as second principal and Mike Johns as third principal. This is the second year running that three companions living in Devon have held the top offices in a Cornish chapter.

After their installation, the principals appointed and invested their team of officers to work with them. The appointments always include a secretary, a treasurer, a charity steward and an almoner, and these posts were filled by Keith Taylor, John Weller, Mike Johns and Barrie Rose respectively. Other members were appointed to ceremonial offices.

After the main meeting, a celebration dinner was held in the refectory and a toast was proposed to the three newly installed principals. A reply was made by the first principal, Charles Yelland, who thanked everyone for attending and supporting a very special and happy occasion in the life of Granville Chapter.

Friendly banter between the heads of the orders of Cornwall and Devon always takes place when they meet and kept the companions entertained. A raffle and bottle draw held during the meal raised the sum of £310 for Masonic charities.