Thomas Firth Jackson Council No. 262
 
On Friday 19th October the Order of the Allied Masonic Degree District of West Lancashire held its second team visit the host Council was Thomas Firth Jackson Council and on this occasion were meeting in Ulverston. After a thankfully uneventful journey we arrived at Ulverston, I say we because I was travelling with Worshipful Brother Raymond Keith Lamb and Very Worshipful Brother Robert Young McGown both of whom are Active District Grand Officers, The District Grand Director of Ceremony had requested the Team to be in Ulverston Masonic Hall at 5.45 p.m. for a rehearsal, practice makes perfect. When the Director of Ceremony was happy all was well we waited patiently in an ante room whilst the Worshipful Master Brother Andrew Bartlett opened the council and carried out the domestic items on the agenda.
Temple ready for the meeting to begin
On a report the Director of Ceremony announced that Right Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape District Grand Prefect for West Lancashire was without and required admission.  
W.M. Andrew Bartlett welcomes the Can. Bro. Peter Schofield
W.M., Can. and W. Bro. Ray Lamb
The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect accompanied by his Deputy Worshipful Brother William Lawrence Richmond Past Grand Junior Deacon and the other District Grand Officers entered in processional order. The Worshipful Master welcomed The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect who was then escorted to a seat in the Council. After the usual salutations The District Grand Prefect introduced the members of his District Team and on behalf of the District of West Lancashire welcomed. Right Worshipful Brother Joseph Edward Crosby District Grand Prefect for Cumberland and Westmorland who was paying a visit to Thomas Firth Jackson Council. He also took advantage to congratulate those of his members who were to be honoured at Grand Council later in October (see later posting).
W.M., Can., W. Bro Lamb and Rt.W.D.G.P. Paul Snape.
District Team.  (Who put that stone there ?).
The formalities completed the Worshipful Master adjourned the St. Lawrence Degree and opened a Degree of Constantinople. Brother Peter Schofield was escorted by Worshipful Brother Ernie Gavan Past District Grand Junior Warden into the council and Worshipful Brother Raymond Keith Lamb Past District Grand Junior Warden / Deputy District Grand Director of Ceremony conducted the ceremony of admitting Bro. Schofield into the Degree. Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Catterall Past Grand Junior Deacon / District Grand Secretary delivered the lecture. The Worshipful Master resumed the St. Lawrence Degree and completed the remainder of the items on the agenda. On the first, second and third risings The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect gave greetings on behalf all the Grand and District Grand Officers.
W.M. with his Wardens Brothers Peter Hampson S.W. and John Myers J.W
The District Grand Director of Ceremony formed a procession and The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect along with his Deputy and other District Grand Officers retired. The Worshipful Master closed the Council. Before repairing to the bar / dining room a quick photo-shoot took place and at the request of the District Grand Director of ceremony we took our places at the festive board. A delightful three course meal was enjoyed by all and to aid our digestion the toast were not too long and the responses equally so. Soon we were back into the night air and making our way home, some further than others after all it was a District Team visit.
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan