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A Season to Remember for the Metropolitan Savage Ritual Demonstration Team

W Bro Andy Cooper writes…

When the Metropolitan Savage Ritual Demonstration Team was formed just two years ago, we hoped it would become a useful resource for Chapters wishing to experience The Savage Ritual. Fast forward to the end of the 2025–2026 season, and it's fair to say the team has exceeded every expectation.

This season has seen us travel the length and breadth of Metropolitan Grand Chapter (with a cheeky excursion into Essex for good measure), demonstrating the Savage Ritual to eight different Chapters and Exalting an impressive 25 new Companions. Not bad for a group of volunteers who somehow manage to fit rehearsals, learning ritual and travelling around London into already busy lives!

Every demonstration has been different. Some involved a single candidate, while others required us to take a deep breath, roll up our sleeves and get to work. The standout has to be Shanghai Tuscan Chapter No1027, where we completed an incredible nine Exaltations in one meeting. By the end of the evening, we were all fairly certain we could have performed the ceremony in our sleep!

June proved to be particularly busy, with three demonstrations in the space of a month. By then the team's suit bags had barely made it home before they were being packed again, and more than one sat-nav probably wondered why it kept being asked for directions to Freemasons' Hall.

One of the greatest pleasures of being part of the team isn't simply performing the ceremony; it's seeing the reaction afterwards. The enthusiasm shown by the Chapters we have visited has been genuinely humbling. Better still, several Chapters have since decided to adopt The Savage Ritual as their preferred workings. There is no greater compliment than knowing that something you have demonstrated has inspired others to embrace it themselves.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the Companions who make up the team. Between us we represent a variety of Chapters, backgrounds and experiences, but we all share the same aim: to present the very best Royal Arch ritual we can. Every rehearsal involves plenty of constructive criticism, good humour and, occasionally, a lively debate over the correct place to stand or which way to turn. Fortunately, these discussions usually end before dinner!

The friendships that have developed are every bit as rewarding as the demonstrations themselves. Travelling together, sharing Festive Boards and working alongside Companions who are passionate about ritual has created a real sense of camaraderie. As anyone who has joined us will know, rehearsals are rarely short, but they are never dull.

Another highlight has been the wonderful hospitality shown by every Chapter that has invited us. Wherever we've gone, we've been made to feel incredibly welcome, whether in Chingford, Southgate, Freemasons' Hall or Howard Hall, Braintree in Essex. A sincere thank you goes to every Chapter that opened its doors to us this season.

Receiving feedback is always gratifying, but one comment perhaps summed up the season best. After our visit to Royal Edward Chapter, their Scribe E described it as "the best meeting ever." Comments like that make every rehearsal, every train journey and every late-night drive home worthwhile.

Looking ahead, there is plenty to be excited about. We already have demonstrations booked for the new season, plans to recruit another Companion to the team and a commitment to continue refining our ceremonies. Like any good ritual team, we know there's always something that can be polished – although if you ask any member, they'll tell you it was the other fellow who missed his cue!

After all, we're only nine Companions… but somehow we've managed to Exalt 25 candidates, visit eight Chapters, perform eight demonstrations and still remain on speaking terms with one another. We think that's a successful season by anyone's standards.

The Savage Ritual Exaltation ceremony is similar to that of the mainstream rituals, but has been arranged to arguably make better logical sense and to make it easier for the candidate to follow, but also being shorter in duration, and with no meaningful content lost. Companions will recognise much of the ritual, as it is more of less identical to that which they are likely to already use; so, if a Chapter wishes to adopt it, little additional learning would be needed.

Finally, if your Chapter has ever wondered what The Savage Ritual is all about, why not invite us along? Whether you're considering adopting the workings, looking for ideas to enhance your own ceremony or simply fancy an enjoyable evening of Royal Arch ritual, we'd be delighted to visit.

To discuss your next meeting, please contact Andy Cooper by email at

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 61 – Summer 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 61 here.

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