Grand Lodge Investiture 2015 |
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| On Tuesday morning the 9th June 2015, my journey to London started when Alison dropped me at Leyland Railway station to catch the 7.06am train to Preston. From Preston the 7.58 to Euston was on time and might even have made a early arrival into Euston. | |
| The battle through the traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular was well won and I arrived at Great Queen Street with enough time to join Peter Elmore for a coffee at an establishment operated by a well known chain. (Peter is the expert on coffee outlets), thanks Peter. | |
| Peter was there as a past Grand Steward and had a Stewards briefing to attend at 1230. I, on the other hand, was working the Lodge along with Ken Boon my fellow Grand Steward for the year 2014-15, and our rehearsal was at 1200. | |
| When we went into the Grand Temple Kessick Jones, the Grand DC soon knocked us into shape with the help of his deputies. | |
| In no time at all we formed up the procession and started the proceedings by leading in the first of five processions. | |
| The Grand Master, H.R.H., Prince Michael of Kent presided over the meeting during which he Appointed, Re-appointed or Promoted a total of 425 Ranks. | |
| West Lancashire were well represented with in excess of 64 attendees, with 16 of our members receiving honours. Four of them being to Active Rank, Phil Gunning as Grand Junior Deacon, David Bell as Assistant Grand Director of Ceremoies, Henry Mayor and John Waring as Grand Stewards. | |
| The full list of West Lancashire appointments is listed here. | |
| Following the closure of Grand Lodge, there was little time to socialise in the bar before retiring into the Grand Connaught Rooms where Ken and I had the privilege of joining the remaining outgoing Stewards for the meal, centre leg with the best view of the Prince. | |
| The meal concluded and speeches made I was able to get into Euston early enough to catch an earlier train back to Preston than I had planned. Back home for 10pm aching feet up with a nice long cool drink to relax with. | |
| Not a bad end to an Active year which saw Active Grand Officers in attendance at all the Team Visits and other major events in the our and neighbouring Provinces including the Investiture of out own Provincial Grand Master in May. | |
| The photographs below are courtesy of: | |
Keith Beardmore, Colin Mills, Tony Shaw and John Bicknell. |
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| The ranks are only shown for those given on the day and only in the first picture. | |
| Article by Mike Beesley P.G.Stwd. | |
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| John Waring G. Stwd. and John Bicknell P.G.J.D., Prov.G.Sec. | |
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Graham Bailey, Ken Alker and Brian Davey |
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| John Forster, Bill Ainsworth and Eric Drinkwater | |
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Frank Thomas P.G.J.D, Tony Harrison and Ernie Waites |
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| Tony Shaw and John Dutchman-Smith | |
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Put your best foot forward! |
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| John Forster with Tony Harrison | |
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Ken Alker, Graham Bailey, Peter Hegarty, Frank Thomas and Rod Bennison |
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Bill Ainsworth, John Powell, P.G.S.D. Eric Drinkwater and Stuart Cowburn |
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| Stuart Brackstone, Brian Davey and Bill Joughlin | |
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John Dutchman-Smith and Russ Greenhow, P.A.G.D.C. |
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West Lancashire Brethren |
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| John Dutchman-Smith, Ken Alker, Graham Bailey, Keith Beardmore and Peter Hegarty | |
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Mike Pinckard, James Waring and John Waring, G.Stwd. |
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The Boss with the Lads |
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| Steve Hallam, James Waring John Waring and Tony Shaw | |
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John Bicknell and John Dutchman-Smith |
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| Danny Jones, James and John Waring with Bill Ainsworth | |
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Bill Ainsworth, John Powell, Russ Greenhow and Stuart Cowburn |
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Keith Beardmore, Peter Connolly, Tony Harrison and Brian Davey |
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| Bill Ainsworth, Ken Alker and Graham Bailey | |
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A toast to those Appointed and Promoted |
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Graham Bailey with David Bell, A.G.D.C. |
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| Bill Cropper with Andrew Dickson, P.A.G.D.C. | |
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Derek Horrocks, Stuart Brackstone and Brian Davey |
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Eric Drinkwater, Joh Dutchman-Smith and Tony Farrar |
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| Howard Emmett and John Forster | |
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Bill Swindlehurst and Neil Ward |
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| Paul Snape with Steve Grand | |
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Allan Newman and Brian Molyneux |
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| Alan Foster, Maurice Evans and Mark Barton | |
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Dave Emmerson with Russ Greenhow |
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| Keith Beardmore, Peter Connolly and Tony Harrison | |
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Keith Beardmore with David Bell |
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| Ian Nairn, P.J.G.O. and Michael Clark, Our Assistants. | |
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David Bell with John Forster |
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| Desmond Ryan with Ernie Waites | |
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Paul Broadley, Ray Pye, P.A.G.Swd.B. and Arthur Robinson |
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| Tony Harrison with Geoff Bury | |
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David Fairclough, Stuart Cowburn and Rod Bennison |
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| Colin Mills and Michael Clark | |
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Mike Pinckard and Steve Hallam |
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| David Richards, P.G.St.B. with Frank Thomas | |
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Bill Joughin with Ross Kinder |
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| Phil Gunning G.J.D. with Derek Horrocks | |
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Tony Farrar with Howard Emmett |
