Category: News

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.

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!

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.

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 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 was warmly saluted and applauded before turning to his part of the proceedings to invest his Deputy District Grand Prefect.

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.

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 4^th 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.

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.

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.