Travelling Sceptre - The Rules

To rescue the Sceptre, a Chapter must attend a meeting where the Sceptre is held, bring at least three members, give one week’s notice, and pledge a minimum of £50 to the Festival.

Provided these conditions are met, the Sceptre may be claimed and held for a time.

While in a Chapter’s care, the Sceptre should be displayed on Scribe E’s table at meetings and used by the DC at the Festive Board.

This small gesture serves as a visible reminder that the Chapter is participating in a collective effort in support of the Festival.

The Sceptre is more than a fundraising tool; it is a symbol of the values that underpin the Royal Arch. Each time it is used, it should remind us of our commitment to service.

To keep the initiative active and inclusive, each Chapter may retain the Sceptre for up to eight weeks. After this period, a friendly forfeit of £10 per additional week is payable to the Festival.

Chapters are encouraged to provide opportunities for others to claim it, whether at regular meetings, Chapters of Instruction, joint events such as the forthcoming presentation of the Savage Club Ritual, the Ceremony of the Passing of the Veils, or social occasions.

If more than one Chapter attends on the same evening to rescue the Sceptre, it will be awarded to the Chapter offering the highest pledge.

If the pledges are equal, it will pass to the largest group in attendance; if that too is equal, to the Chapter whose members have travelled the furthest.

All pledges must be honoured, regardless of the outcome.

Each handover should be reported to the Festival Overseer, who will maintain a record of the Sceptre’s journey and publish its location on the Festival 2031 website.

This will allow Companions across the Province to follow its progress and plan future visits.

The Provincial Grand Superintendent, or his Deputy, may also request the Sceptre’s presence at Provincial events, further reminding us that it represents the shared efforts of the whole Province.

When the Festival concludes in 2031, the Chapter in possession of the Sceptre at that time will be invited to retain it as a lasting reminder of its contribution to the campaign.

The invitation is now extended to all. Plan a visit, organise a rescue, or simply host the Sceptre and pass it on.

However you take part, let it serve as a reminder of what we can build together — not only in stone or structure, but in friendship, generosity, and shared purpose.

The Overseer will be Ex Comp Guy Smith and his role will be to track the destination of the Travelling Sceptre. Its location will be shared on our forthcoming website and the Overseer must collect whatever donation is pledged and forward it to Ex Comp Jeff Ormston at Provincial Office. Donations will all be made payable to and sent to the MCF. They will also count towards Chapter Honorifics.