Viscount Leverhulme Council No. 263
 
The representative of the Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect at the Installation Meeting of Viscount Leverhulme Council No. 263 was Worshipful Brother Howard Nicholas EmmettDistrict Junior Grand Warden. In order to allow W.Bro. Emmett to fully enjoy the evening I volunteered to be his chauffeur, apart from the fact that the food at Ridgmont House wherethe Masonic Hall is situated is fabulous. We arrived at the Hall with plenty of time to spare, W.Bro. Emmett was welcomed by The Council Secretary Worshipful Brother Peter Schofield District Grand Senior Deacon and was introduced to the assembling brethren.
D.G.P Welcomes Dist.G.J.W. Howard Emmett
D.G.P., W.M. Bro. D.V.Hesketh & Dist.G.J.W.
The Council Director of Ceremonies Worshipful Brother Raymond Pye Grand Steward / District Grand Director of Ceremonies called the brethren to order and the acting Worshipful Master Worshipful Brother John J.Dawber opened the Council at 6.30pm. Salutations were given with suitable responses. The domestic business was concluded and on a report the Assistant District Grand Director of Ceremonies Right Worshipful Brother Douglas John Forster Past Grand Junior Warden escorted the representative of the District Grand Prefect into the Council and introduced him to the Worshipful Master. W.Bro Emmett was escorted to a seat in the Council.
I.P.M. congratulates W.M.
W.Bro. John J. Dawber
A ballot took place for Brother Gary James Mathews becoming a member of our wonderful order, the ballot proved favourable for the candidate. The Worshipful Master invited Right Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape District Grand Prefect to occupy the Masters Chair. Brother Mathews was Introduced, Received and Admitted a Brother of St. Lawrence the Martyr by our Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect in an exemplary manner, as you would expect from our leader. The Senior Warden Brother Donald Vincent Hesketh invested Brother Mathews with the jewel of this degree and the lecture was delivered by Brother Richard Higson. Brother Mathews was escorted to a seat in the Council.
 
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D.G.P., Candidate, I.P.M. & Dist G.J.W.
The next item on the agenda was the Installation of Brother Donald Vincent Hesketh Senior Warden and Master Elect of the Council. After the Installing Officers had been placed the Immediate Past Master W.Bro. John Dawber installed Bro. Hesketh in as delightful manner as your likely to see. The new Worshipful Master was acknowledged and greeted by the Brethren of the Council who then returned to their seats. The Worshipful Master then Appointed and Invested his Officers for the ensuing year. There being no other business W.Bro. Emmett gave greetings on behalf of The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect, Grand and District Grand Officers
D.G.P., Council Sec. W.Bro. Peter Schofield, Candidate, I.P.M. & Dist.G.J.W.
W.Bro. Emmett and the Acting District Officers retired. The Worshipful Master closed the Council and after the ubiquitous photo shoot we repaired to the bar for an aperitif before sitting down to a delightful three course dinner. The toasts in this order tend not to be too long or many and the responses equally so. Before long we were heading down the hill to the motorway and our journey home. What a perfect way to spend a Monday Evening, Allied Masonry at its very best.
Asst. Dist. G. D.of C. Rt.W.Bro. John Forster & Dist.G.J.W.
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan