Thomas Firth Jackson Council Installation Meeting
 
On Monday 12th June 2017, just when most Masons are ready for the recess and planning their summer holidays, forty-something Allied Masons made their way up and into the Furness Peninsula. The purpose for their journey was the Installation Meeting of the Thomas Firth Jackson Council, which being a peripatetic council holds its meetings at one of five different Masonic Halls in the Furness area. The Installation Meeting this year was held at the Masonic Hall in Grange over Sands, at the Master Elects request.
The principal guest was the District Grand Prefect, Right Worshipful Brother William Richard Seddon. He was accompanied by the Deputy District Grand Prefect, Very Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape Past Grand Registrar, the two District Grand Wardens, Worshipful Brothers Keith Alan Beardmore Senior Warden and Howard Nicholas Emmett Junior Warden and a number of Acting District Grand Officers.
After the Council was opened and the domestic business completed the District Grand Prefect and his officers entered the Council in processional order under the direction of the District Grand Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother Raymond Pye Past District Grand Junior Warden.
The District Grand Prefect was bid welcome by the Worshipful Master Brother William Byrne. After salutations the council then commenced with the Installation Ceremony of the Master Elect Brother Marc William Lester Goldsworthy. The ceremony was conducted in an exemplary manner by the Worshipful Master. The newly Installed Master then appointed his officers for the year.
After the main course as it were, we were treated to an excellent dessert, the presentation of a Grand Council Certificate by the District Grand Prefect which was carried out in a manner we have come to expect from our leader. His work not being completed he gave greetings on behalf of the Grand and District Grand Officers present.

The District Grand Prefect then requested to retire, and he and his District Officers retired from the Council to await the closure of the Council and the customary photo-shoot. We all then repaired to the dining room to enjoy a meal most suitable for the time of year, mixed meat salad followed by trifle. The room was filled with noise of chatter and laughter, a sure indicator of an excellent meeting.
After all the crockery and cutlery had been put away the Worshipful Master started the toast list. And after proposing the toast to the District Grand Prefect and Quick Fire given, which is now normal in T.F.J. Council, the District Grand Prefect rose to respond to the toast.
After a wonderfully sincere response, his last as District Grand Prefect, he sat to acclamation from the Brethren.
The Immediate Past  Master proposed the toast to the health of the Worshipful Master, who in his response said what an honour it was to be Installed in this fine Council and he will do his best. Which of course we all knew.
After the final toast, that to the visitors, most of us made an hasty retreat to our homes, for some of us had an early call to catch a train to the capital, to be at a Grand Lodge Meeting of a different Order.
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan