Viscount Leverhulme Council No. 263
 
Viscount Leverhulme Council held its Christmas meeting at Ridgmont House on Monday 17th. December. The members and guest were welcomed into Ridgmont House with hot coffee / tea on what was a damp Monday evening. The chatter was vibrant when the Council Director of Ceremony Ray Pye Past Grand Steward / District Grand Director of Ceremony called us to the lodge room. At 6.30 p.m. the Worshipful Master Brother Donald V. Hesketh opened the Council and salutations were given to the Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect Graham Paul Snape, a member of the Council, and Worshipful Bother William Lawrence Richmond Past Grand Junior Deacon / Deputy District Grand Prefect both suitably responded.
The stage is set
The Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect, the Deputy District Grand Prefect,
The Worshipful Master and the three Candidates Brothers A Scott, D.English and G.J. Mathews
W.M. Viscount Leverhulme  with the three Candidates
The Director of Ceremony retired and, on a report, re-entered the Council and announced that The Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Firth Jackson, also a member of the Council, required admission. He was received with acclamation and given salutations to which he too suitably responded.
Worshipful Masters of Lawrence M.K. Mathews, Herbert Barrington Slater (EL)
A. Shields, Viscount Leverhulme D.V. Hesketh  and Thomas Firth Jackson Councils  A. Bartlett.
The G.M., D.G.P., Dep.D.G.Pand W.M. give Christmas greetings to all present

Middle Leg
The Worshipful Master completed the items of administration and adjourned the Council of St. Lawrence and a Degree of Grand Tilers was opened. Brothers Derek English, Gary James Mathews and Allan Scott were Admitted to the Degree or Masons Elect of Twenty-Seven and Created Grand Tilers of Solomon by The Worshipful Master and his Wardens, who acted as the Three Grand Masters. The Council Secretary and the Senior and Junior Deacons supported the Worshipful Master by acting as Guards. The signs and symbols were explained by Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Catterall Past Grand Junior Deacon / District Grand Secretary and Brother Brian F. Haslam delivered the Lecture both in an exemplary manner.
J.W's. Leg
S.W's. Leg
D.G.P. gives Christmas cheer to an “old” friend
The Degree of Grand Tilers was closed, and the Council of St. Lawrence resumed. The Worshipful Master completed all the other items of business and the Most Worshipful Grand Master congratulated all those who took part in the ceremony and retired from the Council. On the first, second and third risings the Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect gave greetings on behalf of all the Grand and District Grand Officers present. The District Grand Prefect along with his Deputy retired to join the Grand Master. The Worshipful Master closed the Council. The photographs having been taken before the meeting was called to order allowed all the brethren to enjoy the convivial hospitality in the bar area before going to the dining room for an excellent festive meal which was enjoyed by all. The usual toasts were proposed, and the responses given, and the proceeding brought to a conclusion. The labour and refreshment being over we made our way home, another excellent evening of Allied Masonry ended.   
Three Wise Men (Wise, Right Wise and Most Wise)
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan