District Visit to West Midlands
 
On the 27th. day of January 2018 a number of West Lancashire District Allied Masons made their way , in atrocious weather, to Ashburton Masonic Hall in Burton on Trent. Ashburton Masonic Hall is the venue for the Annual Meeting of The District Grand Council of West Midlands we arrived at the hall in time for welcome 'bacon butties' and tea / coffee, a pleasant respite from the, still, awful weather outside.
Asburton Masonic Hall
As Instructed we were seated in the Lodge Room at 11.00 am for an 11.15 start. The District Director of Ceremonies Worshipful Brother Barry A. Jones Past Grand Standard Bearer called the meeting to order and the Right Worshipful Brethren entered in processional order including our own District Grand Prefect Right Worshipful Brother Graham Paul Snape. The next to enter was Right Worshipful Brother Clifford Howard Bull  District Grand Prefect for The District Grand Council of West Midlands and his team of District Grand Officers.
W.Bro.J.C.Bicknell, Dep.D.G.P W.L Richmond, D.G.P. G.P.Snape, V.W.Bro.S.R.Leach.
The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect opened District Grand Council and the first item of business was to remember Brethren called to Higher Service. After the roll calls The District Grand Prefect introduced the guests including the Brethren fro West Lancashire led by our District Grand Prefect who was accompanied by his Deputy District Grand Prefect Worshipful Brother William Lawrence Richmond Past Grand Junior Deacon along with Very Worshipful Brother Stuart R.Leach Past Grand Registrar, Worshipful Brother Raymond Pye Grand Steward / District Grand Director of Ceremonies, Worshipful Brother John Charles Bicknell Past Grand Steward, Brother Dave Webster and Worshipful Brother Ernest Gavan Past District Grand Junior Warden / District Grand Sword Bearer.
W.Bo.E.Gavan, W.Bro.J.C.Bicknell, Dep.D.G.P., D.G.P.,W.Bro.R.Pye, Bro.D.Webster.
After the completion of the domestic business of District Grand Council The District Grand Prefect Appointed and Invested the District Grand Officers for  2018 / 19 after which he addressed District Grand Council. A collection for Charity took place. The business of Grand Council having been completed The District Grand Prefect closed District Grand Council. The District Grand Director of Ceremonies called the brethren to order whilst The District Grand Prefect and his Officers retired in processional order.
Dep.D.G.P. W.L Richmond, D.G.P. G.P.Snape
Next port of call was the bar lounge for a refreshing pre-lunch drink. Lunch was a delicious three courses followed by coffee / tea. In his response to the toast to District Grand Prefect he informed the Brethren of the continuing improvement of the heath of The Grand Master after his accident, and thanked all those involved in the days proceedings. A toast to the visitors was well received. The labours and refreshments being over we made our way to the car parks for our homeward journeys, the weather had greatly improved. 
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan