Grand Master's Lodges of Instruction Festival
   
President R W Bro Peter Connolly
 
So this was it, the last big official event for Peter Connolly as our leader of the Province, and what an event it was!  The Assistant Grand Master, R W Bro Raymond John Smith came all the way to West Lancashire to support Peter as President of this prestigious event.  The respect and friendship between these two Mark men was tangible - they were appointed as Provincial Grand Masters of London and West Lancs in the same year, and have shared a close friendship since 2008. 
The Assistant Grand Master, Raymond John Smith is welcomed by Festival President Peter Connolly
David Ashbolt PGM of London, the AGM, our PGM and Michael Spencer, PGM of Essex
The Assistant Grand Master, Ian Nairn & David Ashbolt
John Bicknell, ProvGSec designate with Michael Clarke & Ian Nairn
The Assistant Grand Master arrived early at Leyland, and straight away started meeting and welcoming as many of the huge attendance as possible, putting everyone at ease with his friendly and welcoming manner.  He stayed at Leyland overnight, along with Peter Connolly and Lynne, and they were able to relax after the event, sharing time with the brethren.  I heard RWBro Smith state on several occasions that this day belonged to Peter Connolly, as President of the Festival - a really nice sentiment from a ruler of the Degree.
The Assistant Grand Master with W Bro Leach PrGChaplain designate
Grand DC Kessick Jones with the AGM
RWBro Smith with Keith Beardmore, Bill Ainsworth & Mike Beesley
Special rep Paul Snape greets our special guest
The first part of the afternoon was a demonstration of the RAM ceremony by the Grand Master's Lodges of Instruction team, and what a job they did - because they then went on to perform the Advancement ceremony in the Mark Degree, along with the lecture, all delivered absolutely perfectly!  As David Pascho stated at the festive board, the ritual is far better delivered directly to the candidate, and has more meaning in this way, than it can ever be, if read from a book. This backs up the recent words at Grand Lodge by the Pro GM and David stressed this important point in all Masonry.   This demonstration showed what is possible if we are willing to put in the necessary effort.
At dinner, Peter Connolly spoke fondly of the Asst.GM, and thanked him for coming, before presenting him with a bottle of Liverpool gin (and some juniper berries to go with it) two Bury black puddings, and a miniature fire engine, similar to the one near the hall at Leyland.
ProvDC Dave Emmerson with the AGM
Tom Jackson, the AGM and Jimmy Kontzle
Fred Hargreaves meets our ruler
Candidate Robert Arrend did a great job!
Provincial office stars Geoff Caterall & John Waring are pointed out
RWBro Smith responded by thanking Peter Connolly for serving with such great distinction over the past 8 years, and thanked him for his wonderful friendship, and for the fact that he always smiles! The Asst.GM congratulated Peter on leaving a Province in such good heart, and in such good order, and that West Lancs will always owe a debt of gratitude to him.  The Asst.GM finished by thanking the LOI team for such a perfect ceremony, and informing us of a new Grand Lodge website.  He also urged us to consider joining other orders administered from St James, having himself recently joined the Red Cross of Constantine, and the Allied Masonic Order.  He ended by thanking everyone for the wonderful welcome, company and hospitality on a special evening.  He was then stunned to receive a cheque for the Mark Benevolent Fund in the sum of £5000 for the 2017 MBF Festival in Lincolnshire, and thanked all who had raised the money.
Special Reps John Forster & Ken Alker meet the man from our toast list!
A glittering display of guests
Keith Beardmore becomes ProvGM next Wednesday!
Austin Bamber, DepProvGM Cheshire, with his AProvGM
The Grand Masters Lodges of Instruction Team!
Michael Spencer, ProvGM of Essex (also appointed in 2008 with Peter) then proposed the toast to our President of the Festival, Peter Connolly, and wished Peter a happy and healthy retirement when he steps down on May 6th.  Peter Connolly responded with great humour, thanking all present for attending this stunning party.  He then thanked the GMLOI team for the feast of ritual we all witnessed, and thanked them for the many practises and work involved. He also mentioned anyone can join if they wish. He thanked Tom Quinn, DC, Michael Guile and David Pascho for all their efforts in organising the visit.  David replied by thanking all who took part, especially our candidates Robert Arrend and Alan Shields, Geoff Lee and John Bicknell for their help, and Doug Little for his organ playing.
They did a great job
Past wardens Peter Heagarty & Giles Berkley meet our guest
Paul Ashbolt, son of London ProvGM David Ashbolt, well known to past London ProvGM RWBro Smith!
Father and son Tony and Rowland Alderton happy to meet the AGM
Keith presents a colourful gift to our guest!
The evening came to an end, with everyone present having been treated to some wonderful ritual and a chance to meet our Assistant Grand Master - and he was right, this evening did belong to our Provincial Grand Master, and President of the Festival, and gave us all a chance, with him, to thank and congratulate Peter Connolly on a wonderful term in office. 
 
Words and pictures by Giles Berkley
PLEASE SEE YET MORE PICTURES BELOW
Heated discussion about the ritual!
Candidates Bob Arrend & Alan Shields
Asst GM, PGM & President and the LOI team
The President thanks two of the team personally
Fellow KT Provincial Constables, Peter welcomes Bob Norris
Thank you Geoffrey for organising this great event
Liverpool gin, juniper berries and black puddings - thank you Sir for gracing us with your presence
'And A Good Night from Us'