East Midlands District Meeting
 
The new Masonic season is fast approaching when the Allied Masonic Degrees District of East Midlands hold their Annual Meeting of District Grand Council. When most Brethren are returning from holiday and readying themselves for what hopefully will be another excellent season, a number of West Lancashire Allied Masons made their way to Derbyshire to attend the East Midlands District Meeting. The meeting was held on Saturday 17th. August 2019 at the Derby Masonic Hall located in Littleover a quaint village on the outskirts of Derby, one of the previous owners of the hall were Rolls Royce a name synonymous with quality and excellence.
Delegation from West Lancashire  (with one or two with dual nationality as it were)
After a quite uneventful journey, thanks in part to the completion of the now smart motorway up to junction sixteen, we were welcomed into the carpark and directed to the bar/lounge for a welcome cup of coffee. With the weather being fine and indeed quite sunny we took the opportunity to gather the West Lancashire delegation into the garden for the now ubiquitous photo shoot.
As instructed we took our places in the Lodge Room and at 11.00am the meeting was called to order. The Active District Grand Officers for East Midlands entered in processional order and formed an escort, they were followed by a goodly number of Right Worshipful Brethren from other Districts. Next to enter was the Past Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother Brian Ward Price followed by Most Worshipful Brother Michael Edward Herbert Past Grand Master. The District Grand Prefect Right Worshipful Brother Richard William Davis then entered with his Sword and Standard Bearer.
Deputy District Grand Prefect , District Grand Prefect with Past District Grand Prefect of West Lancashire
The District Grand Prefect opened District Grand Council and after the usual salutations he welcomed the many distinguished guests including the ten strong delegation from West Lancashire. The District Grand Prefect then continued with the agenda and the first item was to remember those of our Brethren who had been called to higher service. A roll of the councils of the District of East Midlands was called and the Worshipful Master or their representative gave a report of the work that had been
completed in their respective councils to the District Secretary for inclusion in the minutes.
The Deputy District Grand Prefect Very Worshipful Brother Alan Buchanan Shearer was reappointed. The District Grand Prefect then appointed and invested his District Grand Officers for 2019/20. The District Grand Prefect addressed District Grand Council. The work being completed District Grand Council was closed with the National Anthem. The District Grand Prefect and his Officers retired in processional order along with the distinguished guests.
Past District Grand Prefect West Lancashire, District Grand Prefect East Midlands
and District Grand Prefect West Lancashire
After a refreshing drink we were called to lunch a delicious three course meal followed by coffee. The toasts were kept short as were the responses and soon we were back on our way home. I’m beginning to think smart  motorways work we were soon back in Lancashire a day well spent in Littleover. 
Report and photos by Ernie Gavan