Essex Royal Arch Masons Support our Paras

Paul Tarrant, the Grand Superintendent of Essex Royal Arch Masons and Elliott Chevin, the Deputy Grand Superintendent welcomed Colonel (Retired) Andrew Jackson as the guest speaker at St Giles Masonic Centre in Colchester on Friday 30th June 2023.

Col Jackson, known throughout the Airborne Forces as ‘Jacko’, gave an insight into the role of the Paras and the work of ‘Support our Paras’ - the Parachute Regiment & Airborne Forces Charity of which he is the CEO. The talk described how the Paras are deployed, often alone in hostile surroundings with no guarantee of relief, and the long-term effect this can have on survivors.  His presentation was informative, entertaining and eye-opening. As they listened, everyone gained a greater understanding of the resilience needed by airborne soldiers and the job they are trained to do.

Of around 8,000 Essex Freemasons 46% are also Royal Arch Masons. There are seven chapters based at the Colchester Centre and one in Wivenhoe. This was the first occasion all eight local chapters had met together for several years with 70 in attendance.  Tony Ackers presented cheques for £1,100 on behalf of the local chapters to Col Jackson for the Charity and Paul Tarrant announced this would be fund-matched by the Essex Provincial Charity Fund to make a total of £2,200.

Gwen Appleton of Support our Paras Charity said “These are very generous donations and will be used to support serving and retired Airborne soldiers and their families in need.”  Col Jackson added “I am glad the talk hit the mark for such a distinguished Masonic audience. It was a great pleasure to be at the event and I very much enjoyed all aspects of my time with everyone there”  

David Wilson, the Second Provincial Grand Principal, said “We owe a debt to those who have and are serving. Experiences, which are good or bad, can affect for many years. Nobody who has not served on front-line live duties will ever understand or should be able to judge those who have.”

The Loyal Toast at the event to ‘The King and Royal Arch Masonry’ had particular relevance as HM The King is also the Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment which was founded by Freemason, and Prime Minister, Winston Churchill in 1942.

-ENDS-

Photos: L-R

1. Paul Tarrant the head of Essex Freemasons, Andrew Jackson CEO of Support Our Paras and Elliott Chevin the Deputy Grand Superintendent of Essex Royal Arch Masons.
2. Andrew Jackson receiving cheques for £1,100 from Roy Ackers, the Chapters’ Charity Steward.
3. Former firefighter Tony Terry of Patriotic Chapter No. 71, formed in 1807, receiving the book ‘The Paras’ in which Col Jackson signed and inscribed the title page with the regimental motto ‘Utrinque Paratus’ (Ready For Anything).