The District of Southern Counties was constituted in 1997 with the R.W.Bro. Harold Gould as the first District Grand Prefect, and it consisted of 6 Councils. By 2005 the District had 16 Councils and was considered geographically too large to be administered, so by 2007 it was reconstructed into three Districts, Surrey, Sussex and Southern Counties covering Hampshire and Isle of White. Today Southern Counties District consists of 9 Councils including an Installed Masters Council.
The recent meeting held at the Masonic Hall Brook Lane Botley in Hampshire was a well attended gathering of Allied Masons, albeit only one from East Lancashire. Not a surprise really as its a 6 hour drive even on a good day. The only reason I was attending was the date coincided with a family visit to Gosport in Hampshire, only 27 minutes drive away.
The Masonic Hall was purpose build and had every facility on one floor with easy access and plenty of parking. I was welcomed from entering the building and presented with the usual envelope indicating my seat in the lodge room and my dining place. All very well organized. The coffee and Bacon sandwich was exceedingly good value and was well received having skipped breakfast.
Allied brethren as you know are friendly chaps and I was welcomed very warmly into the meeting, many couldnt believe I was from East Lancashire. I did search out the District Grand Prefect R.W. Anthony Green who had been to the West Midlands District meeting the Saturday previous and had sat with our Grand Prefect Graham Newton who had informed him there would be a visitor from East Lancashire.
The meeting commenced a few minutes earlier than 11:00 am to a full agenda of business. It was wonderful to see the ornate lodge room so full of Allied Masons in their regalia. There were three processions into the Lodge room including a good number of District Grand Prefects from other Districts from all over the country. The business commenced under the direction of the District DC Mervyn Harkness and his team, who together kept everything on track and everyone in their right place. It was a great performance.
By the time the meeting came to a close time had moved on somewhat and it was almost time for the lunch set at 1:00 pm. The meal was very well presented and enjoyed by the brethren. My table seemed to be a fairly noisy bunch and we really did enjoy the company of each other. We even swapped email and Facebook contacts between us.
It was a good day and no doubt I will be attending again next year, maybe convince a few East Lancs brethren to come with me.
The Allied Masonic Degrees -East Lancashire 