The meeting of Thames Rose Croix Chapter in June was uniquely memorable, because it marked the launch of a new book called ‘A History of Rose Croix in Oxfordshire’.
Its author, Chapter member Dr Matthew Coward, published the book to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Rite, the governing body of the Order.
Matthew gave a talk at the meeting about the development of the Order in Oxfordshire and in the wider Thames Valley region, and he highlighted some of the fascinating insights that were unearthed during his 18 months of research.
Copies of the book were presented to several members of the 33rd Degree who attended the meeting in Caversham. They included Alan Englefield, the recently retired Supreme Grand Commander of the Order, and the others were the heads of three districts – Peter Jones (Oxfordshire), Peter Harborne (Bucks), and David Jarvis (Berks).
James Hilditch, Oxfordshire’s Provincial Grand Master, was also presented by Peter Jones with a £600 donation from the Chapters in the District for the Oxfordshire 2022 Festival.
Footnote: Alan Englefield was asked at the subsequent festive board what the appropriate collective noun should be for so many members of the 33rd Degree attending one Chapter meeting. Without missing a beat, he responded: “An Interference!”
