Leicester Hosts the Deputy Grand Superintendent’s Forum

On the 12th and 13th October, the Royal Arch Province of Leicestershire & Rutland welcomed Deputy Grand Superintendents from Metropolitan and Provincial Grand Chapters to Leicester for this year’s Deputy Grand Superintendent’s Forum, billed as “The Leicester Experience”.

The annual Forum brings the Deputies together to share insights, address common challenges and work together on solutions that strengthen Royal Arch Masonry throughout the Constitution. The Province hosted it over two days at Freemasons’ Hall on London Road.

Day One: History and Fellowship

The first day began with a visit to Leicester Cathedral. Delegates viewed the tomb of King Richard III and learned about the Cathedral’s Masonic connections. In the evening, delegates gathered at Freemasons’ Hall for a networking dinner, which gave them a chance to get to know one another before the main business of the Forum.

Day Two: The Forum

The main Forum day opened at Freemasons’ Hall with registration and refreshments. Delegates could then tour the Holmes Lodge Room and the John Thorp Museum, which hold some of the treasures of Masonic heritage in Leicestershire.

The formal programme took place in the Oliver Suite and included:

• A welcome and agenda overview from Noel Manby

• The strategic context, presented by Gareth Jones

• Deputies’ Forum – The Future, a session led by Mike Rix in which delegates worked in four groups before reporting back in plenary

• Leicestershire “Community Engagement”, presented by Mark Pierpoint, on the Province’s work in the wider community

  
  

After lunch in the Holmes Suite, Matt Hampson presented Building Together – the story so far. Mike Rix then led a series of four workshops. The day finished with a question-and-answer session and closing comments from Gareth Jones, Noel Manby and Matt Hampson.

A Word of Thanks

Jonathan Varley, Deputy Grand Superintendent for Leicestershire & Rutland, organised the event "We would like to extend our thanks all the delegates who travelled to Leicester, the speakers and workshop leaders, and the Stewards and staff at Freemasons’ Hall whose work made the two days possible".

The Province was proud to host such an important event in the Royal Arch calendar and hopes that every delegate left with new ideas, new contacts and fond memories of Leicester.