Leaving the West to go to the East
 
‘Rochdale MH’
Brethren, it is always a delight to visit our neighbours in East Lancashire. We are always sure of a warm welcome, with the addition of some comfort food, aka bacon barms, washed down with a cup of tea / coffee. As always, the meeting place was Rochdale Masonic Hall, and I have mentioned in other previous articles that, whilst it has a bit of an austere appearance externally, inside there is a beautiful Lodge Room with plenty of symbolism, together with a pleasant lounge and dining area.
‘Is there any bacon left’
The popularity of this particular visit was demonstrated on 15th September 2024, when a large contingent of West Lancashire Allied Masons joined our DGP and his Deputy for the Annual District Meeting of our sister District of East Lancashire.
‘Say West Lancashire’
At the risk of disrupting the article, and perhaps teaching you how to suck eggs, you may be interested to know that although AMD Councils in this area  have existed for a long time, the history of the AMD Districts of East and West Lancashire don’t go back that far, and funnily enough also involved Cheshire.
 
The Division of Lancashire and Cheshire was constituted in 1978 with W. Bro BN Briggs as the first Divisional Grand Prefect until his death in 1981 when he was succeeded by W. Bro RK Matterson who was invested in 1982. In 1986 this district was split into the District of Lancashire and the District of Cheshire and North Wales. W. Bro RK Matterson remained in charge of the Lancashire District until he was succeeded, in 1995 by W. Bro D.M. Heald who unfortunately died that same year. RW Bro R.K Matterson went on to become the Deputy Grand Master.
 
Later in 1995 W. Bro PCI Edmonds was invested as District Grand Prefect of the Lancashire District and continued in office until 1997. W. Bro David Lamb then took the appointment as District Grand Prefect in 1997 and remained in office until 2001 when he sadly passed away.
At this time the decision was taken to split this district, at this time the largest in the UK, into the District of East Lancashire and the District of West Lancashire.
 
The District of West Lancashire was constituted in 2001 with R.W. Bro Thomas Firth Jackson as District Grand Prefect. Tom continued proudly in office until his appointment as Grand Master for the Order on 26th October 2011. On the 10th October 2011 W. Bro William Richard Seddon was invested as District Grand Prefect of West Lancashire by the Most Worshipful Brother Michael Edward Herbert Grand Master.
 
On the 20th September 2017 at Preston the Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Firth Jackson Grand Master invested V.W. Bro Graham Paul Snape as the District Grand Prefect of West Lancashire. W. Bro. William L. Richmond G.J.D. was appointed as Deputy District Grand Prefect. On April 23rd 2022 W. Bro. Mark Barton was appointed as Deputy District Grand Prefect.
 
So, there you go, a relatively short but proud History of the AMD District of West Lancashire to the current date. Our current DGP RW Bro Graham Paul Snape being just the 3rd DGP for West Lancashire. I hope that you are able to remember some of these facts, as the DGP has decided to conduct some quizzes on the subject as he does the round of Councils. You never know, he may even award a prize for winners (especially if they can remember the name of the 3rd DGP of the District of West Lancs)  …… watch this space!
‘Calm before the storm’
Back to the visit to East Lancashire; Brethren started to file into the Lodge room before the appointed time in order to enjoy the convivial surroundings. Soon it was time for the DGP for East Lancashire, Graham Newton, to enter in procession. The formalities of the District Meeting were then performed with the usual efficiency and decorum to a packed house. On completion, Brethren departed the Lodge Room, and, after time for a drink and a chat, the festive board quickly beckoned the hungry hordes.
Of course, these sorts of occasions enable our leaders to have a quiet chat and sort out the politics of the District.
‘Can’t wait for the Rag Pudding’
The tradition of East Lancashire these days is to have Rag Pudding as the main course, this consists of a suet parcel containing minced beef. I’ve mentioned in previous articles that this savoury cuisine is akin to a West Lancashire delicacy – the suet pudding or ‘babbies yed - but in East Lancashire this is pressed flat for the occasion and served with Lancashire caviar and chips.
‘Cuisine Classique ’
It is also a tradition when East and West Lancashire do battle, sorry I mean have a convivial meeting, for East Lancashire to present a bag of Bramley apples to the DGP of West Lancashire. Something to do with the climate which prevents Bramleys being grown around Chorley I understand?
‘What’s in the bag – answers on a postcard please!’
Well, rag pudding digested, Bramley apples deposited and speechifying completed, time for the relative short journey home. Another great meeting and catch up with friends old and new. Why not join us on the next outing?
 
Joint Credits for Words and Photos: Lancashire Logger and Rochdale Hornet.