Divisional Conclave
Saturday 25th September 2021
   
On Saturday the 25th September 2021, the Worthy Knights of the Division of West Lancashire gathered at Park Hall, Charnock Richard for their deferred meeting of Divisional Conclave.
The meeting which normal takes place on the first Saturday in September had been rescheduled to enable the M.Ill.Kt. Graham L. Flight, G.C.C. our Grand Sovereign to attend and invest our new Intendant General, R.E.Ill.Kt. Graham Edwin Williams with his office.
Graham’s appointment had been confirmed and was effective from 5th September 2020, but the suspension of Masonic Activity, due to the Covid 19 pandemic had meant that the formal investiture could not take place. Now that we are gently easing ourselves into the ‘new normality,’ the Grand Sovereign had made a formal visit to the Division one of his first priorities.
First the Past Deputy Intendants and Intendants General entered to meeting and took their places, followed by our Distinguished guests from other Provinces, receiving a traditional Lancashire welcome as they did do.
Conclave Banners of the Division
The Provincial Team then escorted out Intendant General Graham Williams into the meeting to the applause of all present. He then opened the meeting and immediately set about welcoming the many visiting Intendant General's and the other visitors by name. It was nice to hear him pay particular attention to our past Intendants General, Brian Fairhurst and Ken Shaw along with Geoff Porter and Fred Hargreaves, Past Deputies I. G.
Following a report, the Grand Sovereign, Graham Leslie Flight, G. C. C. entered the meeting under an arch of steel and escorted by Active and Acting Grand Officers. The Grand Sovereign was ably looked after by V. Ill. Kt. Liam Bird, as Acting Grand Marshal. Liam who is now a member of Croston Conclave amongst his other East Lancashire Division memberships, served as a Deputy Grand Marshal from 2014 to 2017, so he is well qualified.
Intendant General with The Grand Sovereign and Dep. Intendant General
Following the usual allocation of acting officers and salutations the Grand Sovereign addressed the meeting on the purpose of his visit, and work commenced. The Ceremonial of ‘Confirmation in Office,’ is of course much shorter than a full investiture but non the less it proved an interesting piece of ritual for all who attended.
So soon, the Grand Sovereign’s work was concluded, and Graham had to get to work with his first meeting as Intendant General. This of course, involved obligating Stephen Gregory as the Deputy Intendant General, in addition to the assorted items of administration, which is covered during these events & includes the appointment of the Divisional Officers for the year. Again, Covid came into play  with most of the team remaining in Office, with just a couple of offices being changed. Let’s hope that our season is normal enough for them to be able to get out on the Team Visits.
R.Ill.Kt. Graham E. Williams, Intendant General
Charitable donations were voted on and Graham call upon Fred Hargreaves to present a cheque for £2100 to the Grand Sovereign in respect of the Grand Sovereign’s Care for Children Fund. It was Fred's initiatives whist Dep. Intendant General that had generated the funds donated.
Graham then addressed the meeting; He thanked the Grand Sovereign for attending and the Appointment he had received. He also paid tribute to his predecessor RE Kt. Mike Walker for the smooth transition of authority in what had been difficult times for Mike. He paid a further tribute to VE Kt. Fred Hargreaves, the past Deputy Intendant General for his work both in that office and as Deputy in-charge of the Division.
Intendant General - Graham with Stephen Gregory his Deputy
Following a collection of alms, the Grand Sovereign retired in procession.
The Divisional Conclave was closed and the Divisional Team escorted the Intendant General, Deputy Intendant General and Distinguished guests from the room.
All then retired to a Banquet suitable for the occasion where the formalities were relaxed but respectful of the occasion and those present. You might say. Lancashire fashion! nowt wrong wi' that!
 
Report and Photographs courtesy of Ill. Kt. Mike Beesley P. G. Chamb, Web master