The District Officers were out in force at David Lamb Council 197 on Wednesday 21st August. This was the last team visit before the annual District meeting in September where the new team will be appointed. They were treated to a most enjoyable evening of Allied masonry under the leadership of Worshipful Master Aubrey Oldham. Following the opening there was a moving eulogy for MWBro Michael Edward Herbert P.G.M. who was the consecrating officer of David Lamb, given by RWBro Alex McLaren P.Dist.G.Pref.
The new District Grand Prefect, RWBro Graham Newton then introduced the team and thanked the Council for their reception. The Worshipful Master proceeded to ballot for and admit to the Order as a Bro of St Lawrence, Stephen Holcroft, in fine style, assisted by officers of the Council. Stephen is the fourteenth new admission to the District this year, a fact that the District Grand Prefect is justifiably proud. District membership levels are now fully recovered to pre-covid numbers.
The fellowship continued at the festive board, with speeches kept to a minimum.
RWBro Graham Newton has been paying some visits to his Councils and sends us this report from his travels:
Thursday 13th June: Rochdale St Lawrence Council 122 admitted three new members to the Order and installed a new Worshipful Master. Both the outgoing Master, Kevin Reaney, and the incoming Master, Roger Fielding did splendid jobs in the ceremonies.
Wednesday 10th July: Shuttleworth Council 50, which is made up of District Grand Secretaries from around the country, held it’s midyear meeting at Mark Masons Hall in London, hosted by Londinium Matutinus Council 202. The current Worshipful Master, Peter Warner was on top form as Director of Ceremonies of 202, directing a ceremony of installation and the Grand Tylers of Solomon. Then under the Shuttleworth banner we welcomed 25 members of Londinium Matutinus including their Dist Grand Prefect, Colin Woodcock. The Council accepted three new joining members from other Districts. The main part of the proceedings was to be treated to a most entertaining and very interesting talk from a retired Scotland Yard detective chief inspector and renowned masonic author, WBro Col Mike Neville, titled “Crafty Characters – Tales of Famous and Infamous Freemasons”. We then enjoyed a wonderful buffet at Mark Masons Hall in London.
Saturday 13th July 2024: Herbert Barrington Slater Council 234 admitted a new member to the Order, Anthony Smith and there were three candidates for the Knights of Constantinople ceremony. Both ceremonies were performed with complete confidence and with great sincerity by the Worshipful Master, David Entwisle.
The Installation meeting of Consitution Council No. 183 was honoured by the attendance of the Deputy District Grand Prefect Mark Davis, which was Mark’s first meeting following his installation as our Deputy District Grand Prefect. He was offered the gavel of the lodge by the Worshipful Master which he accepted but promptly returned it with grateful thanks.
Mark Rowe with Bob
WBro Davis then presented the junior warden Mark Rowe to the Worshipful Master Robert Michael Summers for the benefit of installation. The Worshipful Master then proceeded with the installation ceremony in a most excellent manner. He was ably assisted by: WBro Ivan Millington as installing SW WBro Martin Blades (guest) installing JW WBro David Sharpe as installing inner guard VWBro M Adrian Hunter as installing D.C.
Mark Davies with the members of Constitution Council
Following the ceremony the Worshipful Master Mark Rowe was saluted in the traditional manner. Following the ceremony everyone in attendance were treated to an excellent, happy and convivial Festive Board.
Our new District Grand Prefect became the head of our order in East Lancashire just over a week ago and his first visit was to Perseverence Council No 42. Meeting at lunchtime at The Mill House, Clayton Le Moors.
A busy meeting first up: An installation followed by the introduction to the order for a new candidate.
Worshipful Master Allan Shields opened the council and welcolmed Graham saying he was very pleased to be the first Master to offer Graham the gavel of one of his councils.
Graham was however quick to return it to Allan, who proceded to install Phillip Wall as the new Master.
Phillip was no sooner installed and he was moving out of the chair to allow the Council’s DC, Stephen Sharp to carry out the ceremony to introduce Gary Williams to the order and Perseverance Council. He was assisted by Phil Moore acting as the Deacon. The ceremony was first class and capped off by the delivery of the lecture by Phil Wall all of the work having been learnt, the whole ceremony was performed to perfection and with sincerity.
Graham (left) greets Gary
On the completion of the ceremony Stephen was warmly welcolmed by Graham Newton to the order who presented him with a Grid Iron lapel pin. The grid iron is of course the symbol of the Allied Masonic Degrees and features in the tale of Saint Lawrence The Martyr.
The council numbers continued to swell at this particlar meeting when Graham Smith was introduced as a rejoing member of Perseverance Council. Every one agreed it was good to see him back!
Left to Right: Graham Newton, Phil Hall, Gary Williams and Graham Smith
Following the meeting the brethren enjoyed a fine lunch and another first for Graham, as Phillip Wall had the chance to propose a toast to the health of our new District Grand Prefect for the first time.
Saturday May the fourth was a very special day for the District of East Lancashire and for Graham Newton in particular.
150 Allied masons, representing 17 different Districts, attended Rochdale Masonic Hall to share the day with Graham along with the Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Firth Jackson, our Grand Master.
As the Grand and Provincial teams rehearsed upstairs, brethren were arriving on mass and partaking in the traditional breakfast sandwich and coffee in the bar.
Brethren arriving
With ceremonies practiced it was time for the real thing and the district meeting was opened in due form by the Presiding officer and Past District Grand Prefect Alexander Sillars McLaren. The district was constituted in 2001 and Alex had been the second District Grand Prefect: Graham was about to become its fourth.
The Grand Master (centre) flanked by his installing team of Grand Officers
The Senior Warden’s view
The knock signified that The Grand Master, Tom Jackson was waiting to enter, and he was escorted to the chair by the Grand Director of Ceremonies. He quickly relieved Alex of the Gavel and things got under way.
Each of the District’s councils had been well represented and the Masters of each formed an escort to accompany Graham to be presented to The Grand Master.
In a most sincere manner Tom proceeded to obligate, invest and install Graham as the new District Grand Prefect for East Lancashire and in so doing so he becomes a Right Worshipful Brother in our order.
Graham with the Grand team
Graham was warmly saluted and applauded before turning to his part of the proceedings to invest his Deputy District Grand Prefect.
Mark Davis
The escort formed up once more and presented Mark William Davis to Graham for investiture. This was done with splendour and warm greetings were given to Mark on the completion of his investiture.
The Grand Master and his team of Grand Officers retired following which Graham closed the district meeting and likewise retired.
Graham and Mark were warmly congratulated by everyone leaving the lodge room. We all wish them well in their new roles with exciting and enjoyable Allied Freemasonry for many years to come!
Following the meeting the brethren retired to the well-presented dining room for some traditional Lancashire fayre. During the festive proceedings the Grand Master took wine with three non-Allied members, being suitably impressed with the friendly atmosphere they all signed up to join.
On Saturday 11th March a delegation from East Lancs made their annual pilgrimage to sunny Wrexham to visit the District of Cheshire & N. Wales.
A truly magnificent total of 14 East Lancs members were in attendance plus another 8 who hold “dual” membership of both Districts. Following a very efficiently run meeting we were treated to a convivial festive board and an excellent meal.
Mervyn Wilson with a few visitors from East Lancashire
The District Grand Prefect RWBro Mervyn Wilson has announced his retirement from office, effective May 2024.
The M.W.Bro.The Grand Master has chosen WBro Graham Newton PGJD. Deputy DGP as his successor to be installed on Saturday May 4th at a meeting to be held at Rochdale Masonic Hall.
At that meeting RWBro Newton will have great pleasure in appointing WBro Mark Davis as his Deputy District Grand Prefect.
The December meeting of Herbert Barrington Slater Council is the installation meeting and the members and visitors were joined by The District Grand Prefect on a very wet morning in Salford.
Left to right, Mervyn, David and Nigel
Installing Master Nigel Bramley – Howarth got quickly down to business once the Council was open
Mervyn Wilson, District Grand Prefect was made most welcome and it was not long before he was asked to present David Entwisle as the Master Elect.
Nigel installed David in fine style in a spectacular ceremony that was delivered with sincerity.
With David now in the hot seat he proceded to invest his new team for 2024.
Blink and you missed it! A very well delivered meeting and thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.
New Master David (centre) flanked by members and visiting brethren
The Allied Masonic Degrees -East Lancashire 