Intendant General’s Address
   
to the
West Lancashire Divisional Meeting of Red Cross
September 2012
 
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 everyone 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 Ill. 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, Ill. 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.Ill. Kt. George Brian Fairhurst, G.C.C. and R. Ill. Kt. Kenneth Wilson Shaw, K.C.C, my immediate predecessor, and V.Ill. Kts Alan Bibby, our immediate past Deputy Intendant-General, and Gordon Tucker also a 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.
 
I had to report earlier the loss of 9 very distinguished  Knights Companion during the year. Last year, we had planned a presentation to the Rev. Canon John Sharples, our past Divisional High Prelate. Sadly we were not able to mark his wonderful contribution to the Order as he passed away in July. The Deputy Intendant-General and I were however able to visit his widow, Elsie, around Christmastime and make the presentation to her. She very much appreciated the gesture. As you heard earlier, unfortunately we lost Elsie during this summer recess. We will miss them both. 
 
You are already aware that the statistical information is included with the Divisional Recorder’s Report and
in is your summons. 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. 25 installations is very commendable. I thank all members in this respect and acknowledge this fine achievement.
 
I would like to thank all the other Officers of the Division for their work this past year, the Divisional Treasurer, Ill 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 Ill. Kt. Fred Hargreaves, Divisional Recorder.
 
I also pay tribute to the work of the Divisional Almoner, Ill Kt. Reg Pymer for his special work on our behalf. Unfortunately he has again been busy this year.
 
I must mention the work undertaken by the  Sepulchre Guard this year, organised by Ill 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. I thank all the knights who have committed to St. Helena Conclave this year. You have an exciting future in the Conclave.
 
This year G.I.C. met again at Birmingham on 3rd July.
Yet again, the Meeting of Grand Imperial Conclave was well supported, and proved to be very successful.
I was particularly pleased to see all recipients in attendance bar one who was in Australia!!
 
The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign promoted and appointed the following West Lancashire Knights.
(I again ask you to reserve your applause until I have finished reading the roll of honour).
 
Promotions:
A Direct Appointment:
Ill Kt. Thomas Firth Jackson to Grand Sen. General.
 
Ill Kt. Frederick E. Hargreaves to Past Grand High Chanc.
Ill Kt. Terrance Maybury to Past Grand Chamberlain.
Ill Kt. Malcolm J. Keeling to Past Grand Chamberlain.
Ill Kt. Jeff Winstanley to Past Grand Std. Br. Constantine.
Ill Kt. Reginald Pymer to Past Grand Std. Br. Constantine.
 
1st Appointments:
P. Kt. John Griffiths Jones to Past Grand Prefect.
P. Kt. John D. Roberts to Past Grand Warden of Regalia.
P. Kt. Stanley Povall to Past Grand Vice Chamberlain.
Applause!!!
 
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 fifth ‘Annual Divisional Officers’ Dinner’ on Friday 25th May at Prescot.
In 2013, we visit Ormskirk.
 
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  moved location last year, hopefully temporarily, but not by our choice, and I do hope you will support the event again this year just as much as you have done in the past. It will be held at Chorley again and I understand the order forms and menus have already been circulated.
 
We look forward to welcoming you all to Chorley on Saturday 24th November.
 
In June, the Annual Church Service of Re-dedication took place at Croston, and all present appreciated the 
work of the Rev. Richard Bunday, who led the service which was again very well attended.
 
Regarding other very important Church Services, please don’t forget to support the Church Service at St. Elphin’s, Warrington on Sunday 14th October, commencing at 3:00 p.m. and the Wigan Group Church Service at St. Matthew’s Church, Highfield on Sunday 21st October, also commencing at 3:00 p.m. It would be nice to see as many kts as possible attending both, and wearing the Regalia of our Order. There will be representation from the Senior Officers at these services.
 
The Divisional Team made five visits this year.
We were warmly received by the members of Hesketh Conclave, Warrington Conclave, Dr. W.R. Waters Conclave, St. Helena Conclave and  the Swinton Conclave.
 
The  five Conclaves which will be visited during this new season are, (Leonard Heeley, Lancastrian, Rose Hill, Red Rose and Croston).
 
The dates are again shown in the Divisional Calendar, other knights who are not acting officers are welcome to attend.(See Div. Recorder’s Report/Summons today).
 
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 down-loaded.
 
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 Westhoughton 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.
 
In addition, we thank W. Kt. Peter Brown who has deputised for Bill Campbell providing us with such excellent music today.
 
Please don’t forget there will be another Forum to be held by the Divisional Marshal.  It is for all Marshals, Deputy Marshals and those who aspire to such positions. The Divisional Recorder will notify Conclaves as soon as the dates have been finalised.
 
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 wider community, setting an example in a world where currently there are too few role models worthy of imitation, where leadership and guidance is sorely needed!!
 
May God be with you, supporting and strengthening you on your journey.
 
Peter Lockett
September 2012