Test Valley Chapter

Test Valley Chapter No. 6181 held its October Convocation last night at Totton Masonic Hall. With no Candidate to keep everyone awake, E. Comp. Alex Honeyman was given the freedom of the Temple and duly wandered around it while presenting the Symbolical Lecture. The V.O., E. Comp. Rob Prowting, followed with a description of the Grand Chapter Certificate - proving that paperwork can be interesting when delivered with sufficient authority - and volume.

As a special treat, the Provincial Grand Registrar, E. Comp. Ron Griffiths, presented the Chapter with a Certificate of Appreciation for its donations towards the 2017 Festival. I did notice that the Certificate was dated 12 April 2026, so E. Comp. Ron has clearly spent the past six months travelling the Province handing them out—or waiting for the ink to dry.

E. Comp. Phil Seymour then reported on behalf of the Treasurer and, rather inconsiderately, brought us back to financial reality. The Management Committee at Totton Masonic Hall has changed and is now examining the cost of running the building with the sort of attention usually reserved for ritual accuracy. We all know that prices are rising everywhere, and in most Masonic buildings the maintenance and energy bills are climbing faster than a new Companion racing up the promotional ladder. Inevitably, Masonry is going to become more expensive - particularly for those of us whose pensions have not discovered the same rate of climb as the promotional ladder. So, Companions, remember that this is a hobby. Make sure you squeeze every possible ounce of enjoyment from your Chapter - preferably before someone works out how to charge for it by the minute!

The meal is reviewed under ‘A Square Meal’