Installation Meeting of Northumberland and Durham District
 
On Wednesday 22nd. August 2018 Allied Masons from all over the country gathered in Gateshead at the Masonic Center in Tyne and Wear for the Installation of Worshipful Brother Danny Guy Grand Steward and District Grand Prefect Designate. As most of you know this special meeting was called due to the passing of Right Worshipful Brother Peter Croft, who has been called to higher service. Among the large number of Brethren in Gateshead were ten West Lancashire Allied Masons and four West Lancashire Masons with dual membership in East Lancashire and Kent.
Deputy District Grand Prefect, District Grand Prefect and Past District Grand Prefect
Due to a combination of inclement weather and the ubiquitous roadwork's we arrived at the Center with just enough time to park up and register, no bacon rolls this time, before taking our seats at 10.45am. A senior member of the District Right Worshipful Brother Brian Taylor Past Grand Junior Warden Presiding Officer called the meeting to order and opened District Grand Council. The Grand Director of Ceremony announced that the Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Firth Jackson was outside the lodge room and demanded admission. The Grand Master accompanied by the Active Grand Lodge Officers entered the lodge room in processional order and was welcomed by the Presiding Officer who vacated the masters chair in favour of the Grand Master. The Grand Master invited the Active Grand Officers to take up their respective positions in District Grand Council. The Grand Master was saluted by the Brethren to which he suitably responded.
The Grand Master directed The Grand Secretary to call the Roll of the ten Councils in the District. The Grand Master gave an explanation of why the meeting had been called and directed The Grand Director of Ceremony to form an escort for The District Grand Prefect designate, which consisted of Masters and Past Masters of the councils chosen by The District Grand Prefect designate, and to present him to The Grand Master. The Grand Master then conducted the ceremony of Installation in a manner we have come to expect from the Leader of our Order. Having been Installed The District Grand Prefect was saluted, and he suitably responded. The Active Grand Officers vacated their positions in favour of The District Grand Officers.
The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony enquired who The District Grand Prefect appoints as Deputy District Grand Prefect. The District Grand Prefect announced that he is appointing Worshipful Brother Malcolm Macfarlane Thomson as Deputy District Grand Prefect and directed The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony to form an escort for The Deputy District Grand Prefect designate. The escort party entered the lodge room and after a short introduction The Deputy District Grand Prefect was Installed and conducted to his place in District Grand Council. The Brethren of Northumberland and Durham saluted their new Deputy District Grand Prefect to which he also suitably responded.
West Lancashire  delegation
The newly appointed District Grand Prefect addressed District Grand Council after which The Most Worshipful Grand Master accompanied by the Active Grand Officers retired. There being no other business The District Grand Prefect Closed District Grand Council. The District Grand Director of Ceremony formed a procession of The Active District Officers and escorted The District Grand Prefect and his Deputy from District Grand Council.
Time being of the essence there was very little of it before lunch, but it wouldn't be the same if we didn't have at least two photos. We were soon called to the dining room where we partook of a fine three course lunch. The wining, dining and toasting over we made our way home another excellent day of Allied Masonry in the company of new and old friends ended. I am pretty sure we will do it all again in March 2019 (for those with a good memory weather permitting).
Report and photos by our Ernie Gavan