Cheshire & NW AMD Meeting on Saturday 8th February 2025
Enjoying the atmosphere, meeting up with old friends and making new friends is always anticipated when attending an AMD District Meeting. On this occasion especially so, as we readied our passports for our journey abroad to the land of castles and Kings. Well, when I say abroad, please don’t take that too literally, as our outward journey wasn’t by boat, plane or train, but by car along the M6, M56, A55 and A 483 to Wrexham in North Wales.
Measgwyn Masonic Hall
The purpose of our journey was a visit to the Cheshire and North Wales AMD District Meeting for the investiture of a new District Grand Prefect, and Deputy, at the Maesgwyn Masonic Hall in Wrexham. Luckily, I didn’t need to test my driving skills on this occasion, that being the responsibility of my chauffeur, Alan Comber, who made light work of the hour or so journey to our venue. As usual with my articles, a brief history lesson about the region being visited is compulsory, so jump forward a few paragraphs if that bores you.
 
I understand that this fine-looking Masonic Hall may have roots going back to the 15th Century, possibly originally being a farmhouse. The Maesgwyn Hall boasts a large carpark and excellent facilities both upstairs and down. The name Maes Gwyn, translated into English, apparently could either mean ‘White Meadow’, or, according to D. Rhys Philips, it could also refer to a knight by the name of ‘Gwyn ap Nudd,’ (Gwyn son of Nudd), who was a Welsh mythological figure embedded in the Arthurian legends, and known in this area as the King of the Fair Folk. He is also referred to as a great warrior, who had a propensity to blacken his face before he went into battle, and which I presume was an adornment meant to put the fear of God in his adversaries.
Another view of the Masonic Hall
The name Wrexham by all accounts may derive from the old English pronunciation for ‘Wryhtel’s river meadow’, or possibly a settlement of the Wreocensaete tribe (who followed on from the Cornovii tribe mentioned below). I must admit that I favour Wreocensaete, for no other reason than that the first few letters seem to point to the Wrex part of Wrexham. Can anybody have a go at pronouncing it?
 
The area has a long and distinguished history going back to the bronze age, being inhabited by a Celtic tribe called the Cornovii during the Romanisation of the area. Wrexham was first mentioned as a placename in the 12th century and grew as a market town in the 14th century. The industrial revolution brought rapid expansion through steel, leather, brewing industries, together with the development of coal mining. Unfortunately, 261 miners and 3 rescuers were killed in a 1934 disaster at the local Gresford Colliery.
View from Car park – University building and Wrexham Football ground
The town is currently home to a university and the Wrexham Division1 football club, both of which are just across the road from the Masonic Hall. In fact, the Maesgwyn Masonic Hall, has established strong ties with the football supporters and University students, both groups being regular users of the Hall hospitality. What a novel way to both serve the community, at the same time helping to stabilise the Hall finances!
West Lancs Brethren relaxing with a cuppa
Wot DGP, no bacon butties?
We arrived at the Hall in good time and were able to relax with a cup of tea before the formalities started in the upstairs Lodge Room. The number of Brethren arriving early was a good indication that the event would be well supported.
West Lancs Brethren present - back row: Roy Ashley, Brian Povey, Marc Goldsworthy,
Alan Comber & Front row: – Brian Henshaw, Kevin Poynton, Mark Barton DepDGP,
Paul Snape DGP and Ray Pye
DGP’s from around the Country attended the meeting,
including Bob Chevin (Thames Valley), Joe McCullon (West Midlands),
Barry Slade (Devon & Cornwall), Paul Snape (West Lancs), Brian Williams (Cheshire & N W),
Danny Guy (Northumberland & Durham),Gene Erland (Sussex),
Brian Butterfield (Yorkshire), Tony Green (Southern Counties),
Lawrence Hinde (Cumberland & Westmorland), Graham Newton (East Lancs).
More Brethren arrived to swell the numbers, but, as always, these events move on quickly, and before long we were being called to assemble upstairs.
Maesgwyn Lodge Room before the crowds arrive
The Lodge Room started to fill up from around 10.30am and by 10.45 was filled to overflowing. Late comers scrambled to find a vantage point, as there was only reserved seating for the more senior distinguished guests. Just before 11am, the District DC announced the first processions. On this occasion the District Officers were accompanying the Officer in Charge, RW Brother Alan Glazier, Past DGP, who subsequently opened the meeting in due form. The Grand DC was then given leave to enter, and he demanded admission for the Grand Master and his entourage, which was granted with much pleasure.
A large number of Acting Grand Officers accompanied the Grand Master on this special occasion; but note the small assistance dog in the above photograph, who regularly attends these events, and is so accomplished in this type of ceremonial now that I believe that he is in the running for a DC’s job!
 
The Grand Master was offered the Gavel on entry, and on this occasion agreed to accept it and occupy the Chair for the purpose of Investing the new District Grand Prefect. The new DGP, Brian Benjamin Williams,went on to invest his Deputy, W. Bro Graham Samuel Kirby PGStdB, and on completion of these formalities, The Grand Master processed out of the meeting accompanied by his Officers.
Grand Master processing out of the Council
The remaining business was conducted smoothly, including the appointment of new District Officers, and quite quickly the meeting was brought to an end. The DGP paraded out of the Council, accompanied by his Officers and distinguished guests.
 
A packed dining room enjoyed a meal of leak and potato soup, steak and ale pie accompanied by chips and garden peas, rounded off with apple crumble and custard. The speechifying completed, the only thing left was to say goodbye to our comrades, feeling some satisfaction in that we wouldn’t need to negotiate our way through the football supporters and cars, as there was no match on today. The M6 and home beckoned.
 
Words and photographs by Rhai ap Gwilym