Ormskirk Conclave No 294 16th May 2022
Out of sadness, let there be Joy
 
When, as recorder of Hesketh Conclave 309, I received the request to circulate the summons for a meeting of Ormskirk Conclave 294, it was nothing unusual, we do that all the time.
 
What was different however was that this was an emergency meeting, being called to surrender the warrant of the Conclave.
Intendent General, R.Ill.Kt Graham E William and MPS, I’ll Kt. Iain Brown
Of course, this at first is viewed as a sad occasion, 47years of Red Cross Masonry ending how could it be anything other than sad?
 
Well, if you factor into the equation Iain Brown as MPS and Fred Hargreaves as the Treasurer along with a small, but dedicated, band of Masons each of which were focused on having a final fling worthy of the Order and most especially befitting a proud Conclave who had for many years been a hive of activity in Red Cross Masonry, it had to be different.
V.Ill.Kt. Fred Hargreaves and Viceroy I’ll Kt. Gordon Turner join in
Knights from a respectable number of the West Lancashire Conclaves had gathered in the Conclave to support the members of Ormskirk Conclave and the Intendent General, R.Ill Kt. Graham Williams in conducting the task in hand. Graham was assisted by V.Ill Kt. Liam Bird, of Croston Conclave who is well qualified to Marshal any Red Cross event.
 
V.Ill. Kt. Fred Hargreaves, P.Dep. Intendent General, delivered a historical account of the membership of the Conclave from inception to it final years. This was done in Fred’s inimitable style, with plenty of personal observations on some of the characters who had been or remained members of the Conclave. Many of the names Fred recalled were known personally to me, both in Red Cross and other orders and ‘characters’ is a name well suited to them!
 
This light-hearted and efficient recollection of events was much more personal and meaningful to many in the room and was far better than the normal reading of consecration minutes. Following a collection for worthy causes the Conclave was closed for the final time and the Intendent General received the warrant on behalf of the Grand Sovereign, which he then carried out of the meeting.
and now with V.Ill. Kt Liam Bird
We all retired to the dining room where we were treated to a fantastic meal of Pate’, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding followed up with Apple Pie and custard, please don’t tell the doctor! It was another fantastic meal by Gary O’Brien, need I say more.

Toasts and short addresses followed and we were soon tipping out into the cool evening air and on our way home.
 
Ormskirk Conclave set out to bring joy out of sadness and did so in so many ways. The members of the Division present will remember the Conclave for many years to come.
 
Ill.Kt. Mike Beesley Webmaster