Month: May 2022

Brethren from both Lancashire districts headed over to Leeds to see The Most Worthy Grand Master Tom Jackson install Brian Butterfield as the head of the order in Yorkshire.

Castle Grove Masonic Hall was the splendid venue for this occasion with its wood paneled lodge room and magnificent dining area, the scene was set for an enjoyable day.

Mervyn Wilson, District Grand Prefect for East Lancashire was with his counterpart Paul Snape from West Lancashire as well as both Deputies, Peter Hegarty from East and newly appointed Mark Barton from West. Other acting officers and visitors made up a good number from both districts.

The lodge room was as expected packed with Allied Masons eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Grand Master, at the head of the procession was another East Lancashire member, Paul Waring, with the Grand sword.

Brian was installed in a most sincere manner by the Grand Master following which he then installed and invested his Deputy and officers of the year.

Following the conclusion of the meeting the brethren enjoyed good company and fine food in the dining room. The Grand Master was in good form and in an entertaining mood as he presented Brian with a baby’s dummy suspended from a green ribbon to remind him he is the newest of all of the District Grand Prefects!

Monday 23rd May, was the date chosen by the Master, RWBro Thomas Auber and the venue was his hometown of Newmarket in Suffolk (or is it Cambridgeshire, there was some discussion about that at the dining table).

This was the first midyear meeting of Shuttleworth Council, which is open to anyone who has held the office of Dist.G.Sec. or Dist.Assist.G.Sec. The aim is to foster and develop good relations with Districts around the country. Judging by the attendance and the general buzz of conversation throughout the evening the Council is off to a flying start. There were 47 brethren there, including some distinguished guests, including our Dist.G.Pref. RWBro Mervyn Wilson, looking very dapper in his new suit as you can see the photos, to witness the Assistant Grand Secretary, WBro Dan Heath who gave an interesting and fact filled talk about the work done on our behalf at Mark Masons’ Hall. The Council also balloted for four joining members and two Honorary members and is now composed of brethren from 13 different Districts.

This was followed by a regular meeting of Icknield Council 209, who hosted our meeting, where they admitted two new members to the Order. The ceremony was carried out in fine style much to the delight of the Grand Master.

We were then treated to a very enjoyable festive board. The Director of Ceremonies gave us the traditional Newmarket start of “we are under starters orders, and we’re off!” . Any Allied Masonic Degrees brother is entitled and very welcome to attend Shuttleworth Council .

Details of future meetings will be on the website including the next meeting which will be the installation at Rochdale Masonic Hall on Friday 9th September 2022.

  The April meeting of MEH (Grand Officers) Council 160, at Bryn Masonic Hall saw a fabulous Red Cross of Babylon ceremony by the members of MEH including the DGPs of East Lancashire and West Lancashire and a few invited guest ritualists. Every office was filled and 14 Knights were admitted to the Degree in fine style. The high number due to a roll over from Covid times.

There were 45 in attendance and the meeting was followed by a wonderful meal and fraternal fellowship. Sadly three of the candidates escaped before the group photo was taken.