West Lancashire District Meeting |
| The Allied Masonic Degree District of West Lancashire held its Annual Meeting on Saturday 22nd April at Ashlar House, Preston Masonic Hall, Saul Street, Preston. Although the Meeting was scheduled to start 11.00 am the District Grand Director of Ceremony requested the District Officers be there earlier to facilitate a rehearsal of the proceedings. Whilst the arriving guests, some of which had come a goodly distance, were enjoying their bacon butties and tea/coffee the District Team under the direction of the District Grand Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother Raymond Pye Past Grand Junior Deacon were going through their routines ably assisted by his Deputy and Assistant Director of Ceremonies. |
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West Lancs. Banner ready for action |
| The Brethren in compliance with the request to be seated by 10.45 am took their seats in the Lodge Room. The Right Worshipful Brethren were escorted into the Lodge Room by Acting Deacons Worshipful Brother John Charles Bicknell Past Grand Junior Deacon and Worshipful Brother Ernie Gavan Past Grand Standard Bearer/District Grand Tyler. The District Grand Director of Ceremony formed a procession and the District Grand Officers entered the Lodge Room and formed a guard, he then announced the entrance of The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect Graham Paul Snape who was welcomed with acclamation. The Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect was escorted to his seat in District Grand Council. |
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Banquet suite at Ashlar House |
| District Grand Council was opened by The District Grand Prefect and the first item on the agenda was to remember those of our Brethren who had been called to higher service. After the usual salutations, the District Grand Prefect welcomed the distinguished guests. The next item was to call a Muster Roll of District Grand Officers and Councils of West Lancashire there then followed items of a domestic nature including the election of the District Treasurer, Worshipful Brother Brian C. Povey Past Grand Standard Bearer was re-elected. |
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District Officers 2023—2024 |
| Worshipful Brother Mark Andrew Barton Past Grand Standard Bearer was re-appointed Deputy District Grand Prefect and saluted by the Brethren of West Lancashire to which he suitably responded. The District Grand Prefect then Appointed and Invested the District Grand Officers for 2023/2024 and they were saluted also, the District Grand Senior Warden gave a suitable response. |
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District Grand Prefect and Deputy with retiring Chaplain Bob McGown and Secretary Geoff Catterall |
| The District Grand Prefect addressed District Grand Council, he again welcomed the distinguished guest and thanked them for their attendance, he also congratulated those receiving appointments and promotions and thanked the retiring officers for their past service. A collection took place for charitable causes. There being no other business the District Grand Prefect closed District Grand Council. After the National Anthem, the District Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and the Right Worshipful District Grand Prefect retired from the Lodge Room. |
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D.G.P and Dep. D.G.P. with visiting District Grand Prefects |
| The photo-shoot already having taken place before the meeting we repaired to the bar for a refreshing pre-luncheon drink. We were soon called to take our seats in the dining room and partook of a splendid three course lunch followed by tea/coffee. The toasts and responses on these occasions seem to be kept reasonably short and today was no exception. |
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D.GP. and Dep D.G.P. with Past Wardens 2022-2023 and Wardens 2023--2024 |
| All too soon we were homeward bound another job done, and well done to. |
| Report and Photos or Ernie Gavan |
