Cheshire and North Wales District Meeting
 
The Allied Masonic Degree District of Cheshire and North Wales hold their Annual District Meeting at "Cheshire View" Christleton near Chester. "Cheshire View" is a Masonic Hall situated in the very pleasant Cheshire countryside not far from the M56 motorway. On the 10th March 2018 some fifteen West Lancashire Allied Masons made their way there to attend the meeting. The journey there was not too bad, early but not too bad, and the weather was kind to us. When we arrived at the hall we were greeted with Coffee, Tea and biscuits, a normal practice at Christleton. We took advantage of our early arrival by taking the now ubiquitous photo-shoot before the meeting to enable us to have a relaxing pre-lunch drink.
W.Bro. Marc W.L. Goldsworthy
As instructed we were seated in the Lodge Room at 10.45am and the District Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother John David Aslatt called the meeting to order.
West Lancashire Delegation
First to process in was Right Worshipful Brother Benjamin Addy Past Deputy Grand Master accompanied by Right Worshipful Brother Alan Glazier Past District Grand Prefect for Cheshire and North Wales, next were twelve Right Worshipful District Grand Prefects for other Districts including our very own District Grand Prefect Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape and then The District Grand Prefect for Cheshire and North Wales Worshipful Brother Keith Philip Roberts and he was accompanied by his District Officers.
A joining of West and East
With the Officers in their proper places the District Grand Prefect opened District Grand Council. After the usual salutations the next item was to remember those of our Brethren that had been called to Higher Service.

Dep.D.G.P. William Richmond, D.G.P. Paul Snape, D.G.P.
D.G.P. (Kent) Peter Brockbank / D.G.P. (East Lancs) Mervyn Wilson
The next items were of a domestic nature. The District Grand Prefect then addressed District Grand Council, he opened by welcoming the Distinguished Guests including those from West Lancashire, Right Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape District Grand Prefect, Worshipful Brother William Lawrence Richmond Past Grand Junior Deacon, Deputy District Grand Prefect, Worshipful Brother Geoff Catterall Past Grand Junior Deacon,  District Grand Secretary, Very Worshipful Brother Stuart Leach Past Grand Registrar, Worshipful Brother Raymond Pye Grand Steward, District Grand Director of Ceremonies, Worshipful Brother Frank Clarke Past District Grand Senior Warden, Worshipful Brother Geoff Moore District Grand Junior Deacon, Worshipful Brother Walter Porter Past District Grand Sword Bearer, Brother Dave Webster and Worshipful Brother Ernie Gavan Past District Grand Junior Warden, District Grand Sword Bearer.
Dep.D.G.P., D.G.P., W.Bro. Stuat Leach & W.Bro. Anthony Alderton
Also, in attendance were Right Worshipful Brother Peter Brockbank District Grand Prefect for Kent and Right Worshipful Brother Melvyn Wilson District Grand Prefect for our neighbour District East Lancashire both of whom are also West Lancashire Allied Masons. Worshipful Brother Marc Goldsworthy The Worshipful Master of both Thomas Firth Jackson (WL) and David Lamb (EL) Councils along with Worshipful Brother David Russell Past District Grand Junior Warden, District Grand Tyler (EL), Worshipful Brother Anthony Alderton Past Grand Junior Deacon and Worshipful Brother Ivan Millington District Grand Chaplain (EL) all four having dual membership in East and West Lancashire. Having introduced his guests, The District Grand Prefect gave a resume of year 2017/18.
"Cheshire View" Christleton
The District Grand Prefect then Appointed and Invested his Officers for Year 2018/19 and after enquiring if there was any other business closed District Grand Council. The District Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and the District Grand Officers escorted The District Grand Prefect from the lodge room followed by the Distinguished Guests and Visiting Brethren.
Entrance
Having already taken the photo's we adjourned to the bar lounge for a refreshing pre-lunch drink and to discuss the day’s proceedings. The District Grand Director of Ceremonies called us to the dining room where we partook of a rather delightful three course meal followed by coffee/tea. As it has been mentioned before the toasts in the Allied Masonic Degrees seem to be just the right length as do the responses and before long we were heading for the motorway and our journey home, listening to the football on the wireless.     
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan