Mince Pie and Sherry
On the first Monday in December Thirtyfive members of the Allied Degrees attended a meeting of Council on the Fylde.
This was held at their new venue, Blackpool Masonic Hall.
Getting ready to start
Traditionally at this meeting a Red Cross of Babylon Ceremony is conducted, so it was this year with the added bonus of a visit by the District Grand Prefect Paul Snape who accompanied by his Deputy Mark Barton and the team of District Officers.
Nearly ready
Opening the Council, the Master Barry Tomlinson welcomed the District Prefect and all members of the District Team, following the welcome, the District Prefect the introduced all the team members, which included the Council Master Barry Tomlinson who is currently the District Grand Junior Warden.
Ask the DC
The preliminary business having been conducted by the Master, he then announced that the next business, was to conduct a Ceremony of the Red Cross of Babylon.
The Master (centre), DGP, Dep.DGP and six Candidates
The six candidates’ retired while to room was set, on re-entry, the Ceremony commenced, at various stages throughout the formal procedure a narration was given by John Forster. Being near to Christmas, partway through the Ceremony a break was taken so everyone could enjoy a Mince Pie and a glass of Sherry.
 
At the conclusion of the ceremony the Lecture in this Degree was presented out by W.Bro. Ernie Gavan.
 
Before the meeting closed the District Prefect Paul Snape congratulated and thanked everyone who had taken part in the Ceremony, for the high standard of their work, he also congratulated the six candidates who undertook this Degree.
 
In reply the Master Bro. Barry Tomlinson thanked the District Grand Prefect for his generous comments, and then thanked everyone present for their support, then invited the District Grand Prefect and all present to join him at dinner, which was a healthy “All Day Breakfast.”
 
Article and  photos by our Tangerine Correspondent