On Friday 4 April 2025, the Salebeia Royal Arch Chapter met at Selby to Install the Three Principals for the ensuing year. After welcoming Excellent Companion Geoffrey Toulmin ProvGReg as the Representative of the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companions John Hunt, David Broadbent and George Reay were installed as MEZ, H and J respectively.
The evening also marked the start of the 125th year since the Chapter was consecrated, during which the Three Principals, Officers and Companions will be kept busy with four upcoming Exaltations. After explaining the value and utility of the Solomon Virtual Learning Environment in increasing masonic knowledge, E Comp Toulmin duly congratulated David Broadbent and presented him with his recently awarded ‘Welcome Companion’ certificate.
On Friday 11 April 2025, the Lodge of St Germain was honoured by the presence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Bill Glanville, and a team of 15 active Provincial Officers to recognise 175 years since its consecration.
As well as elections for the ensuing year, a packed Lodge Room witnessed a ceremony of raising for Bro Nathaniel Harris, presentations by the DPGM of Solomon Diplomas to W Bro George Reay, Bro Dom Tyler and Bro Dave Hampson, a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Adrian Cook, a Festival29 Vice Patron Honorific to the Master, W Bro Paul Oldroyd, and a 60-year Certificate and Badge to W Bro F David Simpson.
Responding to questions from the DPGM, David spoke about his early life and schooling at Drax Grammar, his wartime boyhood experiences in London and Selby, his national service experiences as a Royal Navy Coder and Educator, his professional career as an accountant in Yorkshire, his life with Margaret and their family, his role over many years in Selby Abbey as Treasurer, and his family associations with the Lodge of St Germain, which extend to over 100 years. David remarked that after joining freemasonry in 1965, he has never looked back and has enjoyed every minute – the Brethren responded heartily and enthusiastically.
Following on from the 150-year historical compilation presented in 2000, a review covering the last 25 years at St Germain, as extracted from the Lodge Minutes, and a reprint of “The Eulogium” as given to W Bro Simpson on his initiation, were presented at the Festive Board.
