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Allied Fest 2022
What you might ask is "Allied Fest", that was the name coined by the late Michael Davies for the fourth Wednesday in March.  The next question why?  On morning of the fourth Wednesday in March T.J.Lewis Council meet at Chorley Masonic Hall, following that in the evening in the Furness area T.F.Jackson Council meet.

 Marc Goldsworthy, Graham Newton , Barry Tomlinson and the Candidates
Allied fest part 1; around 10.00am over 60 members of the Order began arriving in Chorley Masonic Hall and in pleasant surroundings enjoyed a refreshing drink of tea accompanied by a plentiful supply of biscuits.
 
At 11.00am John Bicknell opened the meeting, welcoming the District Grand Prefect Paul Snape, he then went on to welcome the many guests hoping they an enjoyable time at the meeting.
Enjoying refreshment.
On completion of the general business John then invited W.Bro. Marc Goldsworthy to carry out the main event of the morning, that to undertake a ceremony of the Grand High Priest.
 
Back in March 2020 15 candidates were due to undertake this Ceremony, however a day before that meeting the country entered lockdown, as a result as well as those 15 candidates another 9 were present to undertake the Ceremony, making 24 candidates in total. Although quite a logistical challenge the ceremony was worked to an exceptionally high standard, each candidate taking an active part in the Ceremony.
 
At the end of the meeting the District Prefect Paul Snape thanked Marc Goldsworthy and the team of Officers for the work they had all carried out these comments were endorsed by spontaneous applause from the Brethren present.
 
Following the meeting an enjoyable lunch ensued.
 
After the formalities of the morning had finished many Brethren continued in conversation. A large contingent though started a journey by car to Barrow in Furness for  Allied fest part 2.
 
After an uneventful car journey around the picturesque Morecambe Bay members arrived at Barrow in Furness, arriving at the Masonic Hall they joined other local Allied Masons.
John Myers and Keith Young
After opening the meeting John Myers welcomed the District Grand Prefect hoping he would together with all present enjoy the work of the evening.
The first item of business was to admit as a Joining Member the Grand Junior Warden Keith Young, following his introduction Keith thanked members of the Council for their warm welcome and he looked forward to many enjoyable evening as  a member of Thomas Firth Jackson Council.
 
John Myers then invited members of the Council to assist him in performing a Ceremony of Grand Tilers of Solomon
The candidate for the night was that well known man about Barrow Bill Joughin.
Brian Ogden, Geoff Catterall, Bill Joughin, Chris Butterfield
The Ceremony was conducted by Geoff Catterall, assisted by Brian Ogden and Chris Butterfield and other members of the Council
John Bicknell then presented the Lecture in this Degree.
 
Following the Ceremony the District Prefect congratulated W.Bro. John Myers and all the members of Thomas Firth Jackson Council, on the high standard of Ritual worked.
Kieron Mullan, John Myers, Chris Butterfield, Frank Clark
In reply John thanked the District Prefect for his generous comments inviting him and all present to join together for pre dinner drinks before enjoying a three course Banquet. rounded off the Allied Fest 2016.
 
Photos from our Roving Reporter and David Sear.
Report and from our Roving Reporter