District Grand Prefects Address April 2020 |
| Brethren, |
| Firstly I hope you and all your family are safe and well in these difficult and worrying times. |
| Normally many members of the District together with our friends from around the country would today arrive at Preston Masonic Hall to attend the District of West Lancashire Annual Meeting, sadly due to the ongoing pandemic this is not to be. |
| District Meetings are always a happy and lively affair when we meet friends old and new, enjoying the occasion, bringing to mind many previous happy meetings, taking pleasure in the friendly banter. |
| Sadly though since our previous meeting twelve months ago four members of the District have"Passed to Higher Service", all these Brethren had given devoted service to this Order and will be sadly missed by us all, I would ask you to remember: |
| R.W.Bro. Colin Williams, Bro. Rey Morris, W.Bro. Peter Coates and Bro. Allan Newman. Can I also ask you to remember a good friend of this District R.W.Bro. David Cordell D.G.P. Yorkshire. |
| Today I would be appointing and investing a new team of District Officers, welcoming you to your new position, looking forward to working with you over the next twelve months. Others would be appointed and promoted in District Grand Rank, to all those Brethren I offer my unreserved congratulations. |
| Today I can only appoint you to your new Rank; I will and indeed look forward to investing you with your new rank as soon as it is safe to do so. |
| To the outgoing team please accept my grateful thanks for all the support you have given the District, I trust you have all enjoyed the "Team Visits" and other happy outings whilst visiting Councils in the District, being confident that you have made many lasting friendships, I enjoyed your company. |
| Thanks are due to my Deputy W.Bro. William Richmond, the Secretarial Team Geoff Catterall and Frank Cooke, the DC's Team, Ray Pye, Ray Lamb and John Murphy, not forgetting Brian Povey the District Treasurer for their continued support during my tenure as District Grand Prefect, that thanks is likewise directed towards all members of the District Team and indeed generally to every member of the Order. |
| In more normal times back in October, the Grand Master was pleased to make the following appointments to and promotions in Grand Rank; on behalf of the District can I offer those Brethren our warmest congratulations First Appointments: Paul Renton G.Stwd. John MacKenzie P.G.I.G. Promotions: Geoff Catterall, Richard Wilson P.G.Reg. John Thompson P.G.S.D Maurice Evans P.G.J.D. |
| Today in normal times many of you would be supporting your friends being appointed to or promoted in District Grand Rank, unfortunately self isolation prevents any face to face contact, can I therefore suggest that at 18.00 we all raise a glass to those who have been appointed or prompted today. |
| (If those Brethren feel inclined they too can raise a glass in return) |
| Until we meet again, |
May the Great Disposer of All have you and your families in His Holy keeping |
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