Royal Arch Executive

With a distinguished background in law enforcement, Anthony Howlett-Bolton’s career culminated in being awarded an OBE in 2016 for his work with ex-offenders.

He worked in two police forces and retired as a deputy chief constable. Following this, he spent several years as an international senior strategic security and justice advisor with the UK Government. Anthony was born and still lives in Buckinghamshire with his two dogs, and dotes on his family. ‘I have been blessed with two sons, two fabulous daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.’ 

E Comp Anthony was installed on 26^th February 2018 as The Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire by the MW the Pro Grand Master. Anthony’s progress in Freemasonry was:

• Initiated into Sandhurst Lodge in 1980 but due to work pressures had to resign and re-joined in 2007 and was Master in 2010
• Joined Berkshire Masters in 2011 and held the office of Lodge Mentor in 2014
• Joined the Berkshire Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge in 2012 following his appoint as Steward and held the offices of Junior Deacon & Secretary
• Joined the Sandhurst Royal Arch Chapter in 1983 but, once again due to work pressures had to resign and re-joined in 2008 and was First Principal in 2011. He joined Berkshire First Principals in 2012.
• Joined the Mark degree in 2015 and is a member of Caduceus Lodge of Mark Master Masons. He is also a member of the Antient & Accepted Rite (Rose Croix)

Jim was Exalted into Windsor Castle Chapter No. 771 in 2005 and was Installed as MEZ in 2013. He is a Member of Berkshire First Principals’ Chapter No. 3684 and was appointed to the Acting Rank of Provincial Grand Sojourner in 2016. Jim was delighted to act as Royal Arch Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for the first Consecration of a new Chapter in Berkshire for twenty-seven years, the Berkshire Chapter of Enlightenment No. 9946; he is an honorary Member of that Chapter.

In the Craft, he was Initiated into the Sutton Coldfield Lodge No. 8960 in 1994, joining the Old Windsor Lodge in 2005. He is also a member of the Berkshire Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No. 9381, Berkshire Masters Lodge No. 3684, and the Paynters Stainers Lodge No.4256 in London. Jim holds the Grand Rank of PAGDC and has for the last five years been the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Jim is married to Francine. They have two grown up children, and outside of Freemasonry, he enjoys fly fishing and riding his motorcycle.

Peter was Exalted into Erlegh Chapter No. 9110 on 11th November 1998, reaching the Office of First Principal in 2011 and again in 2019. With the exception of Scribe E and Organist, he has served his Chapter in all Offices including a three-year stint as Treasurer. He is currently Director of Ceremonies of the Chapter. He was honoured in 2022 with promotion to the Office of Provincial Grand Sword Bearer. Peter was Initiated into the Erlegh Craft Lodge No. 9110 on 2nd July 1996, becoming Worshipful Master in 2004. After serving as the Lodge Director of Ceremonies for many years, he went back into the Chair in 2022 and is the current Worshipful Master. Currently, he is a subscribing Member of five Craft Lodges, including Berkshire Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge No. 9381, where he served as Director of Ceremonies for three years. After serving as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies for six years, he was honoured by being appointed to the Grand Rank of PAGDC in 2018. Outside of the Craft and Royal Arch, Peter is also an active Member of the Orders of Mark, RAM and Royal & Select Masters. A dedicated family man, Peter has been married to Val for fifty years. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Third Provincial Grand Principal

Paul was Exalted into Hope Chapter No. 574 on 17th March 2004 reaching the Office of First Principal in 2011. He subsequently served as DC, and is currently Janitor of the Chapter. He was honoured in 2014 with promotion to the Acting Office of Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, and in 2016 to Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, then to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2022. Paul was Initiated into Thatcham Craft Lodge No. 8121 on 26th November 2001, becoming Worshipful Master in 2007. After serving as the Lodge Secretary and then Director of Ceremonies for several years, he is currently the Charity Steward (and RA Representative) and proud that Thatcham achieved the Platinum Award in the 2023 Festival. Currently, he is a subscribing Member of five Craft Lodges, including Berkshire Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge No. 9381. After serving as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies for six years, he was honoured by being appointed to be Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2020 and reappointed (due to the Covid pandemic) in 2021. He was honoured to subsequently be appointed to the Grand Rank of PAGDC in 2023. Outside of the Craft and Royal Arch, Paul is also an active member of units (and in Office in most!) in the Orders of Mark, RAM, Rose Croix and Royal & Select Masters. Paul has been married to Gill, a retired teacher and educational audiologist, for forty years. They have two daughters, both working in education. 

Personal Details

Owen born and raised in Reading until moving to West Berkshire is a lifelong Reading F.C fan. Married to Claire, and now lives in Thatcham. They have 3 daughters Cheryl, Emily, and Stacey. Owen and Claire have for the past 13 years owned a successful Domestic Appliance Service repair company, based in Berkshire, with Owen having previously held senior Management positions within both the domestic appliance and motor industry manufacturing sectors, being responsible for Technical After Sales, Product Development and Customer Care.

Masonic History

He joined Reading Lodge of Union 414 in 2005 after resisting temptation to join the Craft for several years, owing to business commitments and now often states that, had he realised earlier how rewarding and enjoyable Freemasonry is then he would have joined long before he did. He is now also a proud member of Berkshire Lodge of Enlightenment 9946, Berkshire Master’s 3684, Victory Lodge 3954, as well as a Companion of Union Chapter 414 where he was MEZ in 2022. In July 2023 he was appointed Provincial Grand Mentor to the Royal Arch.

Home Life

Outside Freemasonry, both Owen and Claire, enjoy spending time with their children and 7 grandchildren, entertaining friends, walking, particularly spending a good deal of their free time in Dorset.

With a background in law enforcement, Bob has worked in two police forces Surrey and the Metropolitan and retired after 45 years as the Force Crime Registrar for Surrey, a role where he was the link between the Home Office and Surrey Police. He was born at the Canadian Red Cross Hospital at Taplow and lived at Pinkneys Green and Spencer’s Estate, until he joined Surrey police at 21 years of age and moved to Addlestone in Surrey.

Bob is a dedicated Freemason, being a member of 4 Craft Lodges and 5 Royal Arch Chapters in the Provinces and Districts of Berkshire and Surrey. He was initiated into the Royal Edward Lodge No. 4787 (Surrey) in 1994 and Exalted into the associated Chapter in 1997. In Berkshire he is a member of St John’s Chapter No. 795 where he is currently the Scribe E, and Berkshire Fist Principals No. 3684 as the current MEZ. He is also a member of the newly formed Berkshire Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter No. 9381.

Bob has completed 31 years as a Craft Mason and 27 years in the Royal Arch, he’s served in all the Lodge and Chapter Offices, with extensive periods as either Director of Ceremonies, Secretary or Scribe E, and therefore has gained considerable experience in the management of Lodges and Chapters. He has served at the Provincial level in both his Provinces and has been a Visiting Officer for Surrey lodges since 2019, and is also a VCO in the newly created Royal Arch Group.

Paul was exalted into the Sons of Kendrick Chapter on 7th January 2009 and installed as First Principal in 2017. He currently serves as Director of Ceremonies and plays an active role within the Chapter Care Team, supporting efforts to strengthen membership and promote the enjoyment of Royal Arch Masonry.

Appointed as Acting Provincial Grand Steward in 2020, Paul was subsequently honoured with the appointment as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in June 2025. He is also among the inaugural group of Visiting Chapter Officers for Wellesley Chapter — a role he fulfils with enthusiasm. In addition, Paul is a member of St. Andrews Chapter No. 231 in the Metropolitan District of London, where he currently serves as First Principal.

Shortly after his appointment as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Paul had the distinction of serving as the Consecrating Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies at the consecration of the Combined Services Chapter No. 9900, where he was subsequently made an Honorary Member.

Paul was initiated into Haberdashers’ Aske’s Lodge No. 3362 in the Metropolitan District of London in October 2002, serving as Master in both 2006 and 2018. He has held acting Craft ranks within Metropolitan and currently serves as a Metropolitan Assistant Grand Inspector.

Within the Province, Paul has contributed to both the Visiting Encouragement Team and the Membership Team and for the past three years, he has also served as Chairman of the Light Blues Club. Paul is married to Cheryl, and together they have two adult daughters.