West Lancashire - Divisional Conclave - 2nd September 2023
 
After a summer of somewhat unpredictable weather, the sun shone brightly on Saturday morning as the Knights of West Lancashire Division along with their many Distinguished Guests descended on Brookfield Hall, Westhoughton, to hold their Divisional Conclave.
 
It was the Divisions first meeting at Westhoughton, and what a good choice it was!
On entering the Hall, we were soon greeted by a throng of happy Red Cross Masons, all looking forward to an entertaining meeting.
Eusebius - Bill Bruce, Stephen Gregory D. I. G. and Graham Williams - I. G.
The Guest of Honour was the R.Ill & Em. Kt. Christopher John McDonald, G. C. C. on his first visit to West Lancashire in that Office.
 
The Conclave was opened following the processions of the Past Deputy Intendants General, Distinguished Guests and the Intendant General, R. Ill. Kt. Graham Edwin Williams, escorted by his team.
 
Following copious salutations, the Grand Marshal entered to Conclave and announced the Deputy Grand Sovereign was demanding admission.
 
Within the Conclave
Eusebius, Deputy Intnedant General and Intendant General
On entering he was greeted by the Intendant General and quickly declined the offer to chair the meeting. I suspect Graham would have been a little disappointed had he accepted!
 
Graham then welcomed all our many visitors from other Divisions, from far and wide and then went on to re-appoint V. Ill. Kt. Stephen Mark Gregory as his Deputy.

A memoriam was held in respect of ten Knights who had passed to Higher Service since our last meeting.
 
Charity donations in respect of Teddies for Loving Care - £500 and Rainbow Childrens Charity a further £500 were approved and we then got on with the remaining administrative business which was quickly discharged and it was then time for the Intendant General to appoint his team for 2023-24.
 
Before doing so he paid tribute to Ill. Kt. Gordon Turner, the retiring Divisional Eusebius, Gordon had not only performed the duties of his office to perfection but had also been involved in the refurbishment of much of the Divisional equipment.
 
The new Eusebius, Ill. Kt. Bill Bruce was appointed, invested and proclaimed. Moving quickly on the Generals and remainder of the team were appointed, invested and saluted. (The full team can be viewed under the Division Tab of this website and then by pressing the ‘Division’ button and following the instructions on the page that opens).
 
Graham went on to confirm the appointment of the Sepulchre Guard who were presented before him.
 
It was then the Intendant Generals address, where he brought those present up to date with events within the Division and expressed optimism for the future now that Conclaves were meeting properly again along with the prospect of candidates coming through from the efforts of the Craft and Royal Arch recruiting and retention initiatives.
 
Greetings, on behalf of all the visiting guests, were tendered by the Intendant General from North & East Yorkshire R. Ill. Kt. David Roach.
 
The Deputy Grand Sovereign retired and Graham, ably assisted by his officers, closed the meeting in song and prayer.
 
We then descended to the dining room, where we were treated to a very nice banquet of Ham Hock Terrine, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding followed by a refreshing Fresh Fruit Salad.
 
Speeches were, as is traditional, short and we were soon setting of on our way home, still in glorious sunshine feeling very satisfied having been part of another fantastic day of Red Cross Masonry.  
 
Words and Photos Courtesy of Mike Beesley, P. G. Chamb. Webmaster