District of Cheshire and North Wales Installation of new District Grand Prefect
and Annual District Grand Council Meeting
 
Allied Masons from all over the country gathered in Christleton near Chester at ‘Cheshire View’ the Masonic Centre for Cheshire and North Wales for the Installation of the District Grand Prefect Designate Worshipful Brother Peter Talbot. On the 9th. March 2019 a dozen or so West Lancashire Allied Masons made their way to Cheshire to attend the meeting, although the West Coast was being battered by the tail end of a storm it was quite a sunny morning, windy but sunny. For those who have never visited ‘Cheshire View’ it is situated on the outskirts of Chester in the very pleasant Cheshire Countryside a delightful venue for functions. We arrived at ‘Cheshire View’ with enough time to meet up with some old friends and be introduced to some new ones over a cup of coffee, and the ubiquitous photo session.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master Thomas Firth Jackson
As directed the Brethren of the District and all the visiting Brethren took to their seats at 10:45 am. and Right Worshipful Brother Benjamin Addy Past Deputy Grand Master called the meeting to order and opened District Grand Council. The Grand Director of Ceremony Very Worshipful Brother David Davis announced that The Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Firth Jackson was outside the lodge room and demanded admission. The Grand Master accompanied by the Active Grand Lodge Officers entered the lodge room in processional order and was welcomed by the Presiding Officer who vacated the Masters Chair in favour of The Grand Master. The Grand Master invited the Active Grand Officers to take up their respective positions in District Grand Council. The Grand Master was saluted by the Brethren to which he suitably responded.
“ I thought he said twenty past”
The Grand Master directed the Grand Secretary Very Worshipful Brother Jonathan C. Roberts Past Grand Registrar to call the roll of Councils in the District. After thanking the Brethren for attending in good number he then thanked the retiring District Grand Prefect, although in his absence, for all the work he had done for the District during his tenure and wished him well for the future. He announced that he had appointed Worshipful Brother Peter Talbot as District Grand Prefect and directed the Grand Director of Ceremony to form an escort, which consisted of Masters and Past Masters of Councils chosen by the District Grand Prefect Designate, and present him to the Grand Master. After first addressing the District Grand Prefect Designate he Obligated, Invested and Installed W.Bro. Talbot as District Prefect, the District Grand Prefect was proclaimed and saluted to which  he suitably responded.
West Lancashire Delegation
The Active Grand Officers vacated their Positions in favour of the District Grand Officers. The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony enquired whom the District Grand Prefect appoints as Deputy District Grand Prefect the District Grand Prefect announced that he is appointing Worshipful Brother David Alexander Wright as Deputy District Grand Prefect and directed the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony to form an escort for the Deputy District Grand Prefect Designate. The escort party entered the lodge room and after a short introduction the Deputy District Grand Prefect was Obligated, Invested, and Installed, he was escorted to a seat where he was proclaimed and saluted by the Brethren of Cheshire and North Wales as their new Deputy District Grand Prefect to which he suitably responded.
The District By Laws were submitted to the District Grand Prefect for Confirmation and The Grand Director of Ceremonies enquired if the District Grand Prefect wished to confirm the appointment of the District Grand Officers made at the last meeting of District Grand Council. After the District Grand Prefect addressed the Installing Officer  the Grand Master accompanied by the Active Grand Officers retired from the Council. The District Grand Prefect adjourned District Grand Council and retired for lunch.
The RW District Grand Prefects Graham Paul Snape (West Lancs) and Mervyn Frank Wilson (East Lancs)
A refreshing aperitif was taken before being called to the dining room where we partook of a delicious three course lunch followed by coffee. In the response to the toast to   The Grand Master he said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the day and wished The District Grand Prefect and the District of Cheshire and North Wales every success in the future and closed by proposing a toast to the District Grand Council of Cheshire and North Wales. The District Grand Prefect Suitable responded.
Lunch being over some of the visiting Brethren joined the Brethren of the District in the Lodge Room for the Annual Meeting of District Grand Council and some made their way home and some stayed in the bar, not saying who they were but West Lancashire Allied Masons know how to party.  
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan