Turkey ‘n’ Tinsel at Ridgemont Council
 
The first Allied Council meeting after the annual West Lancashire District meeting is invariably Viscount Leverhulme Council No. 262. What does this have to do with my article’s title? Read on and I’m sure that you will get the connection.
 
Anyway, Monday 28th April 2025 at Ridgemont House Horwich, was the venue for the installation meeting of Viscount Leverhulme Council. VL was consecrated on 10th April 2014 and named after the late Viscount Leverhulme, freemason and philanthropist, with permission from his family.
 
Ridgemont House has been a listed building since 1986, is set in beautiful parkland, and is well worth a visit. One thing to note, if you are using your satnav to find your way there, don’t use the postcode as you may well end up in the local cemetery. Very apt if there is a Craft 3rd Degree on the agenda, but otherwise not recommended on a dark wet winter’s evening, ooh!
Mike Greenalgh Installing Master, Jack Lyon New WM and Ken Hickson retiring WM
The meeting commenced on time with the WM, Ken Hickson, opening a Lodge of St. Lawrence the Martyr, and conducting early business on the summons. Very quickly, a report was given on the door of the Council, and W. Bro. Kevin Poynton, DepDGDC was admitted and demanded admission for the Principal Guest, W. Bro. Mark Barton Deputy District Grand Prefect. Mark was accompanied by a number of Acting District Grand Officers, and, on being offered the Gavel as of right, quickly returned it as an Installation Ceremony was in the offing.
Acting District Grand Officers with New Master and IPM
David Hooley, Alan Fairhurst, Mike Greenalgh, Jack Lyon WM, Ken Hickson IPM and Richard Higson.
Kevin then conducted salutations, and immediately sought permission to retire, and subsequently processed RW Bro. Paul Snape, District Grand Prefect, into the Council, and, on being also offered the gavel, Paul returned it for the same reason as his Deputy.
 
After thanking Brethren for support over the last year, the WM asked W. Bro. Mike Greenalgh whether he would honour the Council by taking the Chair for the Installation Ceremony, which he accepted with pleasure. The ceremony was conducted in an exemplary manner, and W. Bro. Jack Lyon was Installed as Master of the Council and appointed his officers.
DGP and DepDGP and District Officers congratulate WM, Jack Lyon
Following the 1/2/3 Rising, the Deputy DGP requested Grand and District Grand Officers to rise, and brought greetings to the Council from the DGP, congratulating the Installing Master for the excellence of the ceremony. Subsequently both the DGP and DepDGP retired in procession.
WM and members of Viscount Leverhulme welcome District Officers
The meeting over, Brethren retired to the dining room for a very welcoming 2 course dinner. This is where the Turky ‘n’ Tinsel came into play, because the main course would you believe was our first Christmas dinner of the year, including all the usual trimmings, stuffing and cranberry sauce! It was very tasty but slightly out of season. There wasn’t much tinsel or any crackers evident, but the companionship, chatter and laughter more than made up for their absence.
Let the festivities begin
Proof of the (Christmas?) pudding
Toasts and speeches complete, the meeting soon came to a conclusion and it was home time. As I left, I had a good look round for Santa, but there was no sign of a sledge in the car park on this occasion. Ah well, only about 8 months to Christmas.
 
Words and photos by Santa’s little helper