Viscount Leverhulme Council 263, 16th December 2024
 
It was a dark, damp and cool night when I and a Bro Allied Masons set out from the Coccium suburbs of Orrell to head for Horwich, famous for the high telecoms mast set in a very prominent place on Winter Hill. As you may be aware, the mast towers over the town and acts as a prominent landmark for man and beast……and a few aeroplanes. This mast is magnificently lit up at night and points the way, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area, perhaps the Pole Star is redundant these days? I don’t know what we did for telecoms before this mast was constructed, but, thankfully, as a result of its presence on this side of the big hill, we can watch Wallace and Gromit on television on Christmas day this year. Our target destination was Ridgmont House, home to Freemasonry in this neck of the woods, and particularly to attend Viscount Leverhulme Council AMD.
 
As an aside, on our way we passed Horwich Railway Mechanics’ Institute Club, or Horwich RMI as it is more widely known. As well as being on the site of the world famous, but sadly no more, Horwich Loco Works, it brought back some happy memories (or loss of memory!!) for me, as, in years gone by, I had spent, or mis-spent, many a happy hour there on a Saturday night, devouring the local brew. Don’t tell him that I’ve told you, but the secretary of Viscount Leverhulme Council, Peter Schofield, fitted between his long sojourns to Cyprus, is also the president of the Horwich RMI club, chairman of the associated bowling club and president of Horwich Harriers which has recently passed its centenary. In fact, Peter and a colleague have scripted and published a book on the Harriers to mark the centenary, copies of which may still be available from him at a very reasonable cost!!! Remember the old saying which goes something like – “if you need something done, give the job to a busy man”, which is certainly true in this case.
Mike Greenalgh, Gabriel Braisteanu and Ken Hickson congratulating Gabriel on joining VL Council
Anyway, back to main theme of this article, Allied Masonry. The December meeting of Viscount Leverhulme Council is always a happy occasion, and this meeting was to turn out no different. The main item on the agenda was the admittance to the Order of Brother Gabriel Ionut Braisteanu, whose country of origin is Romania. Gabriel was first admitted as a Brother of St. Lawrence, under the stewardship of Ken Hickson, WM. Ken had experienced a difficult lead up to the ceremony as his wife hadn’t been well, but he performed the ceremony in good style in conjunction with his SD, Bro Derek English, and JD, Bro Danny Healey. Bro David Peacock presented the Lecture in a delightful manner. The WM congratulated the candidate and then adjourned the degree of St Lawrence the Martyr. The acting DC explained to Bro Gabriel, the background to the Lawrence and the Kts of Constantinople Degrees, following which Gabriel retired from the Lodge room.
Derek English, Mike Greenalgh, Gabriel,  Ken Hickson and Danny Healey
The Lodge was rearranged for the next business, and the WM invited W. Bro. Mike Greenalgh to assist him by taking the Master’s chair and conducting the Degree of Kts of Constantinople. The Senior Deacon, Derek English escorted Gabriel into the Lodge and presented him to the WM in a somewhat arrogant manner; but he was soon brought down to earth by a barbed response from the acting WM. This set the scene for the deacon and candidate to adopt a far more conciliatory approach in order to achieve their goal. Gabriel was subsequently obligated and entrusted by Mike in an excellent manner, following which Gabrial received the accolade from the SW, Bro. Jack Lyon. Mike went on to present the Lecture of the degree in an immaculate manner and congratulated Bro Gabriel on his progress in the AMD.
Gabriel is Joined by the full supporting cast
The WM, Ken Hickson was then invited to take his rightful place and resumed the Lodge in the Lawrence Degree; but his work was far from finished, as another important item on the agenda was to present Bro David Peacock with his Grand Council Certificate. Before the WM formally presented the certificate to David, VW Brother Adrian Hunter, a visitor to the Council, gave an excellent explanation of the certificate to David.
David Peacock receiving an explanation of the Grand Council Certificate from Adrian Hunter
Remaining business was quickly dealt with, and then onto a very pleasant and happy festive board. Formal toasts were accompanied by Allied Masonic Fire, which I can vouch were rendered perfectly. The meeting over, it was time to head back home with uplifted heart, the telecom mast still glowing on Winter Hill, and providing a fitting backdrop to our return journey.
 
Words and photos by the Coccium Warrior