Author: The Allied Degrees in East Lancashire

Tuesday 24th October, Brethren from East and West Lancashire braved the wind and rain to visit the Grand Council in London. They were there to support their colleagues who were being honoured with appointment to or promotion in Grand Rank. There was a very good turnout from both Districts and plenty of good hearted banter around the festive board and on the train journeys.

If you wish to join in next time just let the Assistant District Grand Secretary (Paul Waring) know in plenty of time.

The District Grand Prefect was delighted with the support from East Lancashire and other Districts with 130 brethren in attendance at the 2023 District Meeting.

The meeting went very well and as it was probably the hottest September day on record Mervyn gave the troops permission to dine with jackets off, all were relieved except the District Grand Prefect for West Lancashire, Paul Snape who it is said had not ironed his shirt!  The repast of black pudding starter followed by rag pudding and Lancashire caviar was well received

Our District Grand Prefect will be pleased to attend the following Council meetings accompanied by his team of District Grand Officers of the year:

Constitution No. 183 – 17th October 2023

Goulburn No. 36 – 16th March 2024

J. Edward Glover No 137. – 3rd June 2024.

The summons for each meeting will appear in the summons section of the website prior to each meeting.

The annual East Lancashire District meeting will take place on Saturday 9th September, 11am at Rochdale masoinc hall.

Members can access the booking form and summons from the ‘summons’ page on the website. Contact your council Secretary for log in details.

Saturday 8th July Herbert Barrington Slater Council held it’s ever popular summer meeting at Salford. Since there were fewer clashes with other meetings the attendance was a credible 25, including five candidates for the ceremony of Grand Tylers of Solomon.

The Worshipful Master, W.Bro Nigel Graham Bramley-Howarth opened the Council In the Degree of St Lawrence and welcomed the Deputy District Grand Prefect, W.Bro Graham Newton.

The Council then completed admin business, including the election of a new Master in David Entwisle and the presentation of Grand Council Certificates to Bros Phillip Moore and Stephen Graham, which were explained by the Dep.D.G.P.

The Lodge of St Lawrence the Martyr was called off and a Lodge of Grand Tylers of Solomon opened. The ceremony was conducted in fine dramatic style by the Worshipful Master, who was most ably assisted by his Wardens and W.Bro Craig Wood who explained the signs and words of the Degree and W.Bro Fraser McCord G.Stwd who delivered the lecture in his own incomparable manner.

With five new Grand Tylers created the Council was closed and the Brethren retired to a magnificent lunch provided by the staff at Hemsley House.

Pictures and article by Graham Newton.

The week started with a new member and a new master and Rocdale St Lawrence Council No. 122 continued on Thursday when it admitted Bro Mustafa Avci to the order and installed Kevin Reaney as its new master.

David Ogden opened the lodge and greeted our District Grand Prefect and for the second time this week Mervyn returned the gavel to the master who had just polietly offered it to him.

Our Past District Grand Prefect, Alex McLaren once again found himself leading Mustafa into the council as acting Senior Deacon. David Ogden placed our Deputy, Graham Newton into the chair to admit Mustafa in fine style and also delivered the lecture.

With David back in his righful place Mervyn Wilson presented Kevin Reaney to him for the benifit of installation.

This was performed by David with much sincerity and Kevin was delighted to appoint and invest his team for the following year.

More good news followed when the Secretary announced the Council has another candidate to admit in September, this guy seemed keen as he was waiting to join the members for the festive board.

The District Grand Secretaries Council was hosted by Burton Cooper Council 195 (West Midlands). The Worshipful Master, VWBro Andrew Stanton had invited us to his mother Council and suggested that we assist in conferring the Grand High Priest ceremony.

Planning stage completed and a team put in place, we descended on Burton on Trent from all over the country, we now have members from 14 different Districts.

Burton Cooper opened their Lodge of St Lawrence and completed their business and called off, Shuttleworth then opened and completed some administrative matters, including electing W.Bro Peter Warner, Grand Junior Deacon as the next Worshipful Master. 

A Convention of Grand High Priest was opened by local boy, V.W.Bro Chris Farrar and the Order of Grand High Priest was conferred on 7 candidates from West Midlands, East Midlands, London, also two from the District of Spain. The Deputy Dist.G.Prefect. of Spain was in attendance to support his son.

V.W.Bro Chris as the Most Excellent President was most ably assisted by W.Bro Peter Warner as Chaplain, R.W.Bro Cliff Bull as Vice President and R.W.Bro Joe McCollum as Master of Ceremonies.

The Worshipful Master thanked all those making it a special evening of Allied masonry. All the brethren present ( 40 +) then repaired to the dining room for a well earned feast.

Thanks to Graham Newton for this post and photo

Its great news when one of our Councils installs a brand new Master for the first time, its also great when a candidate comes along so to have them both in one meeting must be the best news ever!

And that is exactly what took place at the June meeting of James Edward Glover Council No 137. They meet at various venues and the incomming Master Steven Boyle had chosen Rawtenstall. Good choice for a lovely warm sunny evening in Rosendale.

This turned out to be a well attended meeting, in fact the District Grand Prefect Mervyn Wilson commented on how pleased he was to see 19 brethren at the meeting. His predesssor Alex McLaren was also in attendance and dispite the large selection of members to choose from the DC asked that he could to act as Senior Deacon.

Brendan Harte, the Master then had alot on his plate? Well as any good Master will tell you the art of delegation is equaly important as learing the words so he had no hesitation in inviting John Green to take the chair for the admission ceremony.

Bro Peter Lambert was introduced to the council in the very capable hands of Alex McLaren. Peter later remarked what a privilage it was to be taken around the council during the ceremony by the past head of this and many other orders.

John Green then conducted a very fine ceremony including the lecture.

Now back in his rightful place Brendan thanked John and Alex for doing a great job and JEG made its new member very welcome.

So now onto the new Master bit. It was Master Elect Steven Boyle who was presented by Mervyn Wilson and installed by Brenden again in a fantastic ceremony .

Our District Grand Prefect was very pleased with what he saw and thanked everyone for thier efforts at the conclusion of the meeting. Following a few drinks and socialising at the bar the brethren enjoyed a fine meal and very good company as the very busy meeting drew to a close.

Perseverance Council No 42 is one of the oldest in our district and recently celebrated its centenary.

The next meeting on was the installation when Allan Shields was installed as Master in fine style by Steve Barritt.

In attendance was the District Grand Prefect Mervyn Wilson who presented Allan to the Master for Installation. All this under the guidance of his Deputy , Grahan Newton who acted as DC.

Its always worth persevering with things: This council was low on numbers 12 months ago but has been boosted by many joining members including another three at this meeting and there is a candidate to induct at the November meeting.

 The next meeting of Shuttleworth Council, where there is a further opportunity to see the Grand High Priest ceremony. All are welcome to attend. Summons attached for further information.

The meeting takes place at Burton and the summons and Secretary Details can be found in the summons section of the website.