East Midlands District Meeting
 
With the new masonic season fast approaching and Brethren readying themselves for what hopefully will be another excellent season, a number of West Lancashire Allied Masons made their way to Derbyshire to attend the East Midlands District Meeting. The meeting was held on Saturday 19th August 2018 and the venue was the Derby Masonic Hall in Littleover, a village on the outskirts of Derby, one of the previous owners of the Hall was Rolls Royce a name synonymous with quality and excellence.
Derby Masonic Hall
After, what for some was a tiresome journey on yet another section of motorway being prepared for conversion to a 'smart motorway' whatever that means, we were welcomed at the car park and directed to the bar/lounge for a welcome cup of coffee and bacon rolls. With the weather being fine and indeed sunny we took the opportunity to gather the West Lancashire delegation into the garden for the now regular photo shoot.
West Lancashire Delegation
At 10.50am as directed we made our way to the Lodge Room and at 11.00am the meeting was called to order. The Active District Grand Officers for Derbyshire entered in processional order and formed an escort. They were followed by the Right Worshipful Brethren from ten Districts. Next to enter was a special visitor Past Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Michael Edward Herbert. The District Grand Prefect Right Worshipful Brother Richard William Davis then entered with his Sword and Standard Bearers. The Brethren were then instructed to be seated by the District Grand Director of Ceremonies Worshipful Brother P.D.M. Westwood Past Grand Standard Bearer.
D.G.P. congratulates W. Bro. E. Gavan  P.G.Std.B. (des)
The District Grand Prefect opened District Grand Council and after the salutations he welcomed his distinguished guests and introduced them including those from West Lancashire, Right Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape District Grand Prefect,  Worshipful Brother William Lawrence Richmond Deputy District Prefect,  Worshipful Brother Raymond Pye Grand Steward / District Grand Director of Ceremonies,  Worshipful Bother Geoff Moore Past District Junior Deacon,  Brothers Andrew Bartlett,  Robert Tinsley,  Bob Whittingham,  Alan Newman and Worshipful Brother Ernie Gavan Past District Grand Junior Warden whom he congratulated on his forthcoming appointment to Grand Council (Past Grand Standard Bearer). There were three other West Lancashire Allied Masons present who were introduced in their own right Right Worshipful Brother Peter Brockbank District Grand Prefect (Kent)
Right Worshipful Brother Mervyn Frank Wilson District Grand Prefect (East Lancashire) and Worshipful Brother Ivan Millington District Grand Chaplain (East Lancashire).
3 D.G.P.’s  Kent, West Lancashire and East Lancashire
The District Grand Prefect then continued with the agenda. The first item was to remember those Brethren who had been called to higher service. A roll of the councils of the District of East Midlands was called and the Worshipful Masters of the councils gave a report of the work that had been completed in their respective council to the District Secretary for inclusion in the minutes, this now seems to be traditional at the annual meeting.
The Deputy District Grand Prefect Very Worshipful Brother Alan Buchanan Shearer Past Grand Registrar was reappointed. The District Grand Prefect then appointed and invested his District Officers for 2018/19. The District Grand Prefect addressed District Grand Council. The work being completed District Grand Council was closed with the singing of the National Anthem. The District Grand Prefect and his Officers retired in processional order.
Luncheon is served
After a refreshing drink we were called to lunch, a delicious meal of Prawn Cocktail, Gammon Steak with suitable vegetables, strawberries with or without cream, and tea / coffee was served. The toasts were short and the responses equally so, unfortunately the journey home was not. But we will do it all again soon, no doubt. 
Report and photos by our Ernie Gavan