Six Brethren visit East Midlands. |
| Six Allied Masons from West Lancashire attended the District of East Midlands annual meeting; the party was led by our District Grand Prefect, Right Worshipful Brother Bill Seddon, Very Worshipful Brothers Bob McGown and Stuart Leach, together with three other acting District Officers, Worshipful Brothers, Frank Clarke Dist. G.S.W. John Forster Dist. G.D.C. and Ernie Gavan Dist. G S.D. Three notable absentees were the Deputy, Paul Snape (in Tenerife) the District Sec. Geoff Catterall (in France) and the new Grand Steward designate. John Bicknall (cruising). |
 |
| The meeting was held at the Derby Masonic Hall, Littleover, Derby, a very impressive hall indeed, which had been built as a substantial gentleman’s residence, taken over by Rolls Royce and when they moved down South it became an excellent Masonic Hall. |
| Our group, like all other visitors, were greeted most cordially with tea, coffee and bacon butties, before we all entered the Lodge room. The 138 masons present found that the ceremonial part of the meeting was very efficiently run under the watchful eye of Worshipful Brother C. David Davis their Director of Ceremonies who from October is to become the new Grand Director of Ceremonies, an office we are sure he will excel in. Present was the Past Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Michael Edward Herbert, who was as always a delight to talk to. |
| As with all Masonic meetings it’s the differences that make visiting worthwhile, one thing that I did pick up on was that when the role of the Councils of the District was called the Worshipful Master of each stood and presented the District Grand Prefect with a written report of his Councils activities for the last 12 months, a nice touch which gave the Prefect chance to thank the Masters for their work. |
 |
| The Festive Board was also very pleasant, with just enough time between the meeting and the meal to have a seat outside and enjoy the sunshine in the grounds of the hall, after dining on prawn cocktail, gammon and local vegetables and finishing with seasonal strawberries and cream, we gave our attention to the toasts which were short and to the point. |
| As always the journey home seemed to only take half as long as going and we arrived home in plenty of time to see the football results, even Blackpool losing again could not spoil what had otherwise been super day in the company of so many Allied Masons. |
| If any Allied brother would like to join the District Prefect and his Deputy at any of these District meetings they would be very welcome, just contact the District Secretary who does all the arranging. |
| Details of all the District meetings are sent out by V. Wor. B. Stuart Leach in his newsletter each month. |
| Report John Forster Pictures Bob McGown |
