West to East
 
On Wednesday the 15th November 2017 five West Lancashire Allied Masons ventured into East Lancashire Allied District to visit David Lamb Council No. 197 in Rawtenstall. David Lamb Council Meet in Rossendale Masonic Hall  "Ashday Lea" which is situated  just off Haslingden Road, near the town centre. "Ashday Lea" is a beautiful stone building set in its own grounds and is the central office of East Lancashire Provincial Grand Lodge.
Ashday Lea Ratenstall
The purpose of our visit to the council was to witness the Installation Ceremony of Worshipful Brother Marc William Lester Goldsworthy as Worshipful Master. We were seated in the Lodge Room at 6.30 PM and called to order by the Council Assistant Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother Howard Stephen Nuttall recently appointed Past. Grand Standard Bearer. The Worshipful Master Brother Harvey Kaye opened the Council and welcomed The District Grand Prefect for East Lancashire Right Worshipful Brother  Mervyn Frank Wilson to the Council. Salutations were given by the District Grand Director of Ceremony for East Lancashire District Worshipful Brother Peter Hegarty Past Grand Standard Bearer to which The District Grand Prefect suitably responded. In his response The District Grand Prefect welcomed Worshipful Brother William Lawrence Richmond Past Grand Junior Deacon. Deputy District Grand Prefect and Very Worshipful Brother Trevor John Walker Grand Chaplain to his District.
Can's brother, W.M., Can.
V.W.Bro. Walker was there to support his brother which, after the domestic items on the agenda, was the next item. The W.M. invited Worshipful Brother David Russell Past District Grand Junior Warden. District Grand Tyler to occupy the Masters Chair. W.Bro Russell then Introduced, Received and Admitted Brother Keith Ronald John Walker as a Brother of St. Lawrence in an exemplary manner. Brother Walker was Invested with the jewel of the degree by W.Bro. Goldsworthy  Senior Warden. Master Elect who went on to give the Lecture of this degree. Bro. Walker was congratulated by The District Grand Prefect and welcomed into the order. He was then invited to take a seat in the Lodge.
Can., V W.Bro. Walker Can's brother, W.M., I.P.M., District Grand Prefect E.L.
Next Item on the agenda was to Install W.Bro. Goldsworthy before which it was necessary to read a dispensation. This was because W.Bro.Goldsworthy is already the Worshipful Master of Thomas Firth Jackson Council No. 262 in West Lancashire and the assent of the Grand Master was required. The Master Elect was presented by The District Grand Prefect and the Brethren not yet Installed Masters retired. The Worshipful Master then proceeded to install the Master Elect. The ceremony was conducted with much dignity and sincerity. The Brethren who had previously retired returned and acknowledged their new Worshipful Master.
W.Bro Dave Russell, V.W.Bro Stuart Leach. W.M., W.Bro Bill Richmond
The Worshipful Master appointed his officers for the ensuing year, and after a few more items of domestic business he closed the council.
The Brethren retired to the bar for a pre-dinner drink and were called to the dining room were we partook of a fine four course dinner. The toasts in the Allied Degree are usually short and the responses equally short and before long we were heading back to our homes, the end of another fine evening of Allied Masonry.
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan