Intendant General's Address
to the
West Lancashire Divisional Meeting of Red Cross
September 2011
 
Distinguished guests and Knights of the Division of West Lancashire.  Again, a warm welcome to you all and thank you for attending and supporting us in such numbers. 
 
I can only marvel at the tremendous enthusiasm you continue to demonstrate in these difficult times and I thank each and every one of you for your continued support at so many events this past year.  By your wonderful example, you continue to raise awareness of this special Order.
 
I thank the Senior Officers of the Division again for their hard work, support and dedication. 
I thank my Deputy, V.III. Kt. Geoffrey Porter for his friendship, input and support.
I thank III. Kt. Graham Williams for his hard work directing operations on the Team Visits, and of course for keeping us all in order today. 
 
I also thank both Deputy Divisional Marshals, III. Kts. Terry Maybury and Alan Slater for their excellent work throughout the year, supporting Graham so well.
 
I have already welcomed our Distinguished Guests who have travelled from far and wide to be with us and we thank you all for finding time in your busy schedules to join us today. The Executive enjoy attending your Divisions, where without exception we are always made so very welcome. We delight in repaying the hospitality today.
 
We again welcome two of our own past Intendants-General, R.III. Kt. George Brian Fairhurst, G.C.C. and R. III. Kt. Kenneth Wilson Shaw, K.C.C, my immediate predecessor, and V.III. Kt Alan Bibby, our immediate past Deputy Intendant-General.
 
We have also been honoured by the presence of local Heads of Orders.  Unfortunately today, some are still away on holiday, and others are on other Masonic business.  It is so pleasing to see that they enjoy their Red Cross Masonry are here today to support us.
 
I will be continuing to make every effort to support them in their work.  You don’t need reminding I am sure, that we must all support the Craft & Royal Arch.  They are after-all, our life-blood.  Sadly today we will be not be joined at lunch by either the P.G.M., or the P.G.M. of the Mark degree. 
 
I had to report earlier the loss of 6 very distinguished Knights Companion during the year. The Rev. Canon John Sharples had indicated his desire to retire this year from the Office of Divisional High Prelate.  We had planned a presentation to John.  Sadly we have not been able to mark his wonderful contribution to the Order. 
 
You have already heard the statistical information given in the Divisional Recorder’s Report and contained
in your summons today.  I am impressed with the success of your recruitment activities, and urge you to continue to work hard to search out the right candidates to be brought into the Order.
 
I would like to thank all the other Officers of the Division for their work this past year, the Divisional Treasurer, III Kt. Walter Ashton, and the Secretariat; Assist. Divisional Recorder, P.Kt. Colin Rowling and the Asst. to the Recorders, P. Kt. Stan Povall.  They are strongly led by III. Kt. Fred Hargreaves, Divisional Recorder.
 
I also pay tribute to the work of the Divisional Almoner, III Kt. Reg Pymer for his special work on our behalf.  Unfortunately, he has again been busy recently.
 
I must mention the work undertaken by the Sepulchre Guard this year, organised by III. Kt. Norman Williams and P. Kt. Neil Cooper.  We are actively encouraging members of the ‘Guard’ past and present to join a Conclave where they will enjoy their own special identity whilst at the same time preserving the long term future & success of the St. Helena Conclave.  You will be hearing more of this during the year.
 
This year G.I.C. met again at Birmingham on 5th July.  Yet again, the Meeting of Grand Imperial Conclave was well supported, and proved to be very successful.
 
Fortunately, this year, most recipients of Grand appointments and promotions were able to attend.  I must remind all knights that it is expected that they make every reasonable effort to attend G.I.C when they are to receive Grand Honours.
 

The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign promoted and appointed the following West Lancashire Knights.
 
Promotions:
III. Kt. David Clifford to Past Grand High Almoner.
III. Kt. Alan Sale to Past Grand High Almoner.
III. Kt. David Kavanagh to Past Grand Chamberlain.
III. Kt. Clive Goodwin to Past Grand Std. Bearer Constantine.
 
1st Appointments:
P. Kt. Edward Casey to Past Grand Prefect.
P. Kt. George Seddon to Past Grand Warden of Regalia.
P. Kt. John Fisher to Past Grand Warden of Regalia.
P. Kt. Christopher Lee to Past Grand Herald.
P. Kt. Stephen Hulse to Past Grand Vice Chamberlain
 
I congratulate all those Knights, and remind them that the promotions and appointments acknowledge the work they have done, and are an encouragement of the further work they will do on behalf of their Conclaves and the Division as a whole.
 
I have just had the pleasure of appointing and investing the Divisional Officers and I congratulate you all, just like the recipients of Grand Rank, your new ranks carry extra responsibilities and it is up to you to meet those new demands.  I feel sure by now, you appreciate what is expected.
 
We held the fourth ‘Annual Divisional Officers’ Dinner’ on Friday 20th May at Southport.  In 2012, we visit Prescot.
 
The Ladies’ Festival held last November was again a great success and we thank III. Kt. Ian Scott and all other knights who assisted him, making the evening such a success.  This success is reflected in the number of generous donations we are now able to make.  We have moved location this year, hopefully temporarily, but not by our choice, and I do hope you will support the event just as much as you have done in the past.  We look forward to welcoming you all to Chorley for this year’s Ladies’ Festival to be held on Saturday 26th November.  Forms have already been circulated.
 
In June, the Annual Church Service of Re-dedication took place at Croston, and all present appreciated the 
work of the Rev. Graham Halsall, Provincial Grand Chaplain, West Lancashire, who led the service which was attended by more people than ever.  Well done.
 
The Divisional Team made four visits this year.  We were warmly received by the members of Westhoughton Conclave, Agnus Dei Conclave, St. George’s Conclave, and Ormskirk Conclave.  Next season we will visit five conclaves with the Team.
 
The Divisional Recorder has already mentioned the five Conclaves which will be visited during this new season. (Hesketh, Warrington, Dr.Waters, St. Helena & Swinton).
 
The dates are again shown in the Divisional Calendar; other knights who are not acting officers are welcome to attend.
 
I have been pleased to see Conclaves continuing to hold Companions Evenings with around a 50% success rate on all occasions.  If you don’t have a ceremony or a good lecture, hold one!
 
Please continue to refer to the ‘Divisional Website’ which is proving popular and informative.  I thank Colin Rowling for maintaining the ‘site’.  There are many interesting items on it, many which can be downloaded.
 
I would like to thank the Chairman of the Hall Committee for the help and assistance given preparing for today.  I also wish to thank all the Knights from Leonard Heeley Conclave, the host conclave, for their work in making the day such a huge success.  We must also thank the members of Hesketh Conclave for the loan of their equipment to furnish Divisional Conclave.
 
The National Church Service held at York Minster on Saturday 16th October was a huge success.  All the Senior Officers attended, and I was pleased to see several other members too.  Even if you do not stay to dine at the York Race Course, we were pleased to see you.  I thank you not just on my own behalf, but on behalf of the Grand Sovereign.
 

Please don’t forget the Forum to be held by the Divisional Marshal at St. Helens on 6th September.  It is for all Marshals, Deputy Marshals and those who aspire to such positions.
 
Recently Mark Masons’ Hall informed us that a new website is being put together.  Martin Sale is the man in charge of this project. The only correct address for this will be:www.glmmm.com
 
Don’t be confused by any other site with a similar name.
 
Finally, may I wish each and every one of you a safe journey home, and an enjoyable and rewarding year ahead.
 
These are difficult times; times for members of our organisation to stand up and be counted, more than ever to involve yourselves in the community, setting an example in a world where currently there are too few role models worthy of imitation.
 
May God be with you, supporting and strengthening you on your journey.
 
Peter Lockett
September 2011