West Midlands AMD District Meeting 31st January 2026
 
Well, only about 325 days or so to Christmas, the perfect time to visit the Masonic Hall, Burton on Trent for the annual District meeting of West Midlands AMD and to pick up some early bargain basement presents! Unfortunately, Mark Barton, our District Grand Prefect, had to miss out on this visit as he needed to attend a Council Installation at short notice. This was to take the place of our DepDGP, Ian Nairn, who was unwell. We all hope that you get better soon Ian. The senior representation for West Lancs on this occasion fell to someone who can’t be named, did someone mention purdah?...
‘ Did you know that I’m in charge today?'
Burton on Trent is strongly associated with the brewing industry in the modern era; but the name Burton was apparently first coined in the 8thC, and means 'a settlement at a fortified place.' The word ‘a fortified place’ logically refers to a well defended stronghold. However, I like to think that it also refers to Burton’s reputation for producing strong waters, and so should its meaning possibly be amended to ‘a settlement at a very fortified place’?
A rainy start greeted us as we drove onto Junction 25 of the M6 motorway, but the weather started to improve as we approached the Midlands. This put our small but happy band in a good mood as our destination was reached. Even though we arrived quite early, to our amazement the car park was relatively full, early bird catches the worm and all that. However, my chauffeur managed to find a discrete corner which would enable us to make a quick getaway after the meeting had ended. The drawback was that he parked adjacent to a muddy patch which meant my formerly pristine shoes had to be taken through a car wash before I entered the building.
Alan Comber, Maurice Evans,  John Bicknell, Paul Snape, Richard Higson, Ray Pye
My shoes scrubbed up well though after their ordeal, and we entered the Masonic Hall to join up with other West Lancs Brethren. The first stop for me was the refectory to purchase a bacon barm cake / cob / bun etc (take your pick on the name) and a welcoming cuppa. This brought to mind one of the ancient mysteries – when did we stop buttering the barm cake before putting on the bacon?? I don’t know about you, but I definitely prefer a butter moistened bite of this delicacy rather than a dry texture. Still, each to his own! Incidentally, I think that the term barm cake originates in my neck of the woods, and I understand is taken from the description of a traditionally leavened bread role but using barm (the foam from fermenting beer). Even though it is called a barm cake, it is not meant to be sweet. In fact a delicacy in in my neighbourhood is the Wigan Kebab which is a meat and potato pie on a barm cake (buttered of course). Here endeth the first lesson!
‘The refectory was doing good business'
The number of Brethren arriving and gathering in the reception area increased quickly, and a scrum was formed around the refectory as they availed themselves of refreshments before the meeting. A quick chat with old and new friends, and a few photographs for posterity (and this article), helped to pass the time quickly before the calling bell rang to beckon us towards the main purpose of our visit.
‘Very comfortable and well decorated Lodge Room'
‘Almost time to commence'
The Lodge room filled up rapidly, and I estimated around one hundred and twenty Brethren were present for the occasion, a goodly number with many visiting Districts represented. The West Midland’s DC, or more accurately the Deputy DC (as his colleague was unable to attend), gave the usual pre meeting health and safety directions to those in the auditorium, and finished by warning of the severe penalty if a phone rang audibly during the meeting! A scurry of activity followed as Brethren checked their phones, not wanting to incur the wrath of the acting DC. Sighs of relief all round, except that part way through the meeting, a telephone ringing caused Brethren to start checking their phone again, just in case! They needn’t have worried as it was, inevitably, the DC’s, phone ringing, a red face and a wry grin resulted as he reached into his pocket to turn his phone off. I must say though, that I was impressed with the way that he ran the meeting overall, particularly as he had stepped up to fill in for his colleague. We all make mistakes don’t we, but prefer that these are not made in the public arena. Thinking about it though, I can’t remember the last time I made a mistake, publicly or in private – no comments please!!
 
The meeting business proceeded efficiently, and the West Midlands District Grand Prefect, one RW Brother Joseph Patrick Anthony McCollum kept the meeting in good order, and following conducting domestic business, he took great delight in investing his District Officers. The meeting finished with a gusty rendition of the first verse of the National Anthem, and, following closing, a recession of the District DGP and his Officers together with distinguished guests took place.
‘Spacious dining room and good company
A very fine festive board followed, starting with melba toast, salad and pate, then chicken breast with a brandy and peppercorn sauce accompanied with usual vegetable trimmings, and finally, cream filled profiteroles and chocolate sauce; all accompanied with a glass of wine and a cuppa. What more could we ask for?
 
The usual toasts and speeches followed, but in the tradition of the AMD these were quite brief, and we were soon homeward bound. It was quite fun following our Past DGP’s car, we didn’t have to look at the satnav as we negotiated all the twists and turns, and used Paul as the pathfinder…….until we lost him, and I’m not sure how we did that!  I suspect he had clocked our car and purposely conjured up a disappearing act to confuse us! Ah well back to satnav.
 
Words and Photos by the Burtonwood Brewer