H’awah the Lads
Saturday, 4th March 2023 was the day of the District of Northumberland and Durham AMD. This necessitated an early start for a number of West Lancashire Allied Masons intent on making the journey to Gateshead Masonic Hall, the venue for the event. Some Brethren who didn’t fancy an early morning drive, and being sufficiently wealth (allegedly), travelled up the day before and had an overnight stay at Trump Towers, oh how the other half live!
As an aside, I’m always curious about the names and history of the towns and cities that we visit on our sojourns, and so with the Gateshead. I understand that there are two possible sources which can explain the township’s name.
 
The first possibility is that an ancient road terminated at a crossing over the River Tyne which separates Newcastle from Gateshead. Gate, in this sense, being derived from the old Norse name ‘gata’ meaning a road or pathway. This term has endured and was absorbed into the early English language as ‘gate’ (also gat or gata). So, in this possibility, the road or ‘gate’ terminated at the Tyne crossing point, hence Gateshead.
The second possibility is from a reference by the Venerable Bede, who, in the seventh century, described Gateshead under the Latin name ‘Ad Caprae Caput’, which translates as ‘Goats Head’. He described the area as such in a reference to a monastery on the site. It is suggested that this possibility could have a reference to an area frequented by wild goats. There is also a possibility that there was a totem or emblem with a goat’s head overlooking the Tyne. Interestingly, a goat’s head featured on Gateshead’s old coat of arms. If this possibility is correct, the name must have changed to Gateshead at some point in history.
Like most northern towns with an industrial background based on coal and steel, Gateshead suffered a dramatic decline during the later part of the 20th century, but still maintains a light engineering heritage in its township; with a current wider metropolitan population of circa 200,000 residents. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, is one of the well-known historical figures from the township. There are a number of significant landmarks in the area, including the magnificent Angel of the North sculpture, and the Bridges over the Tyne.
Back to the script, the 150 mile journey was quite pleasant, good conversation and beautiful scenery was evident for a good part of the journey. We arrived at Gateshead Masonic Hall in good time to settle in before the main action. For those of you who haven’t been to Gateshead MH, the building is relatively modern in appearance, with the benefit of being single story, so that all rooms are easily accessible on one floor.
The Lodge room is of a good size and well set out, ideal for a District Meeting.
The welcoming aroma of sausages and bacon wafted through the hall as we arrived, and many of the Brethren availed themselves of the tasty morsels available, tucking into beautiful breakfast barms (or baps etc) washed down with a cuppa. I’m not sure of the health benefits of such fayre, but “ee it were good”!
 
Our DGP breezed into the dining area a little later, not requiring any of this fodder as he had partaken of a hearty breakfast in his hotel. The intriguing thing was, you may recall that in some recent meetings our DGP has taken a few wrong turnings and thus missing the events (remember when he ended up in Greece?). In this case he took the right turning, arrived in good time, but thought he had taken the wrong turning, feeling that he should be at the Cumberland and Westmoreland District meeting. Yes, I’m confused as well, is the pressure of office taking its toll on our esteemed leader? Answers on a post card please.
Our usual photo of East and West Lancashire delegates was taken. Can you separate out which ones are members of East or West Lancashire Districts?
A Galaxy of DGP’s assembled for the meeting (who suggested that it’s called a galaxy because they are dim and distant? Stay behind for lines after school you naughty boy) insist on getting into the photo opportunities.
An added bonus in attending this meeting was that the Grand Master was present as the principal guest, being conducted into the Council by his Deputy Grand DC to warm acclamation.
 
Following the welcoming of DGP’s and Brethren from other Districts, Most Worshipful Brother Danny Guy, DGP for Westmoreland and Durham, progressed through the business of the day in an efficient way, and quite quickly it seemed, the Council was being closed and the National Anthem sung. The Grand Master stayed in the Council for the closing and joined DGP Danny Guy and his team for the procession out of the Council.
A welcoming festive board followed, comprising mushroom soup starter, braised steak and vegetables main and a Sticky toffee pudding dessert; with an added bonus of cheese and biscuits. During the festive board, Danny Guy presented a total of £1000 charitable donations split between Mark and Craft Festivals, which was met with much acclamation. Our DGP once again arranged for an Executive round of drinks for his followers, including, and I kid you not, a member of the East Lancashire delegation who received a full measure as it was his birthday (he said it was anyway, but I think it was just a ruse to get drink from our DGP). Deputy DGP of West Lancashire take note, there are no half measures when our leader is in town!
 
All too soon the meeting was over and preparations being made for the return home. The weather in the afternoon was still behaving, and the journey back was a pleasant one. Positions of a Roman fort, Roman cemeteries and other distinctive landmarks around Kirby Stevens were pointed out by a high-profile passenger, who holds AMD sway not just in West Lancashire, but ‘of England and Wales and (no ‘its’ in AMD!) Districts and Councils Overseas’, who had previously resided in that neck of the woods. Pleasant conversation ensured that the journey went reasonably quickly, and we arrive back in God’s country just as dusk was descending. All in all, a good time had been enjoyed by all.
 
 
Words and (most) pictures by the Angel of the North –
With a contribution from he who must be obeyed (in West Lancashire AMD anyway)