East and West in Unison at TJL
 
Every year, Timothy John Lewis Council No. 190 (an AMD Council for District Officers from both East and West Lancashire) meet in March at Chorley Masonic Hall to perform the Grand High Priest ceremony. So, on Wednesday 22nd March 2023, Allied Masons converged on Chorley to be part of this spectacular Degree, properly described as ‘A Convention of the Holy Order of Grand High Priest’.
Brethren start to gather early
Seats in the Council were at a premium for Observers, in fact there were rumours that ticket touts were operating on Cunliffe Street which fronts the Masonic Hall. It really was a superb attendance, and this helped to build the tension. The WM, David Redhead opened the Council in the Lawrence Degree in the Lodge Room upstairs at 11am on the dot, the downstairs room having been set up as a ‘Tabernacle’ for the GHP Ceremony. The gavel of the Council was proffered to the District Grand Prefect for West Lancashire, RW Brother Paul Snape, who on this occasion wisely returned it to the WM as much work remained to be done. Salutations were given to the DGP, and subsequently to RW Brother Mervyn Frank Wilson, DGP for East Lancashire, and other RW Brethren.
 
The DC, having a feeling that a very important Brother had been left outside the Council, sought leave to retire and investigate. Sure enough, waiting patiently outside the door was one Thomas Firth Jackson, Grand Master of this Order, a Past DGP of West Lancashire, member of this Council and resident of this Parish. Admission was quickly demanded for this extremely popular Mason, and, with perhaps a little trepidation, the WM announced that he would be delighted, and honoured to receive him. Such was the GM’s eagerness to enter the Council, he couldn’t wait to be announced by the DC, and strode into the Council while the formalities were being completed. He was being offered the gavel as the DC stumbled and fumbled to catch up with the pace of events (we can’t get the staff you see). The GM returned the gavel, was seated and subsequently saluted with Eleven.
 
The WM then had a sad duty to inform Brethren of the recent deaths of VW Brother Brian Fairhurst and W. Bro Eric Croasdale. A prayer was given by the Lodge Chaplain and Brethren stood to order in memory of departed merit. The business of the Council was then conducted and congratulations were offered to W. Bro Edwin Schofield who was declared WM for the ensuing year, together with VW Brother Geoffrey Catterall who was declared Treasurer. Both thanked the assembled Brethren for the honour bestowed. The Council was subsequently closed in the Lawrence degree, and Brethren retired to attend the main event in the downstairs Lodge Room.
MW Bro Tom Jackson GM, W.Bros Maurice Evans, Marc Goldsworthy, Barry Tomlinson and RW Bro Paul Snape DGP
A grand total of 19 candidates assembled outside the Tabernacle, as other qualified Brethren tried to find a good seat to view the ceremony. It is a good job that 19 seats had been pre-reserved for the candidates, otherwise it would have made life difficult. Obviously, I can’t provide any details of the ceremonial, but a few general things spring to mind. The first is that a wonderful team effort, led by the Most Excellent President, Marc Goldsworthy, ensured that the Candidates were invested in excellent form. The second is that I would advise the MEP to audition for one of Corporal Jones’ “Whirling Dervishes” roles. I don’t know about the representative candidate, but Marc put the fear of the Great Disposer in me as he rushed forward to challenge him! Thirdly, RW District Grand Prefect, if we carry on with GHP candidate numbers at this level, can we dip into the slush funds to buy a larger (self erecting?) tent please? It was a trifle full in there on this occasion. In fact, I’m sure that a few of the candidates were invested twice in the organised chaos.
Principal Officers and Candidates
I jest (honest…), it was a wonderful ceremony which ultimately gave way to a Festive Board, buzzing with friendly chatter. Typical ‘healthy’ Lancashire fayre consisting of Egg Mayonnaise followed by a large portion of lasagne and plenty chips (no barm cakes unfortunately) was consumed with much gusto by the Brethren.
Let the Feasting Begin
The usual formalities followed, and, after the Loyal Toast, subsequent toasts were immaculately honoured with Allied Masonic Fire as is the tradition at TJL Council. A final toast to our guests was given, and the DC had been mischievously encouraged by one of our leaders to then place his hands on an unsuspecting visitor’s shoulders, which started to twitch with nervous anticipation just before the DC announced that “Our visitors will be pleased to know that we don’t call for a response to the last toast”. A dastardly deed which brought a bit of naughty merriment to the end of the proceedings. Sorry Mike, we won’t do it again…..or perhaps…..anyway, watch this space!
A good time was had by all. If you are a current or past District Officer, why not seek membership of TJL, you won’t regret it, I’m sure that our DGP and Deputy would be pleased to propose and second you.
 
Words by the Wigan Warrior
Photographs by the Lancashire Logger.