Following months of meticulous planning, Cheshire Freemasons recently took part in a procession through the streets of Chester to celebrate 150 years of Royal Arch Freemasonry. Cheshire is the oldest Province (Area) for Freemasonry in England and having recently celebrated 300 years of history, members were delighted to take part in the 150th Anniversary for Royal Arch Freemasonry, a side branch from the original organisation.
Head of Cheshire Freemasons Stephen Blank took part in the procession along with distinguished guests, partners, family, friends, uniformed organisations and well-wishers. They left the Town Hall and walked to Chester famous 13th century Cathedral. More than 800 attendees from across Cheshire sat together to celebrate the sesquicentenary. Remarkably, it was noted that the Town Hall at the heart of the City is also 150 years old this year, so it seems 1869 was a busy year for Chester all round.
Guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Chester Mark Williams, Russell Race From HQ in London and Robert Bramley and David Dyson, Senior Freemasons from Cheshire, to name but a few...
The cathedral service that followed was interesting, light-hearted in parts and poignant in others - the preparation and execution was fabulous and congratulations were made to all those who had worked so hard to organise the celebratory event.
After the service, photographs were taken of the new minibus given to local Scouts as well as an opportunity to meet the rider of the new Blood Bike, proudly branded with the Square and Compass, both vehicles provided by the Freemasons of Cheshire.