News - A warm welcome at the Devon & Cornwall Annual District Grand Council meeting (in not so sunny Plymouth)

On Saturday 26th July, the Deputy District Grand Prefect, W. Bro. Geoff Whale, left early to “go on a day’s holiday” to Plymouth, to attend the Devon & Cornwall annual District meeting. He firstly drove to Warlingham, to collect the Dep.D.G.P. for Surrey, W. Bro. Bob Tuthill, well known to our Members as our Web Manager.

After a bacon roll and coffee, catching up with other DGP’s & Deputies, the Dep.D.G.P. took his place and the meeting commenced. The D.G.P., R.W. Bro. Barry Slade processed in and opened his District Grand Council, and after the In Memoriam, and salutations, welcomed all the guests who had made the journey from many parts of England and Wales, making mention of the poor weather but his warm welcome to us.

The D.G.P. R.W.Bro Barry Slade and his Deputy W.Bro. Clive Penraze with W.Bro. Geoff Whale Dep D.G.P.

The business of the District Council was carried out in an efficient manner and the investiture of the Officers proceeded and the DG.P. addressed the assembly, followed by A.O.B.

Then started the most poignant and pleasurable surprise of the day. The DGP requested the Dist. G.D.C. to escort the Dist. G.Sec, W. Bro. John Smerdon, to him. The DGP left his seat and greeted the Bro. John, and said that he was going to do something the Secretary had no knowledge of, and proceeded to explain that Bro. John was suffering from cancer and in palliative care. He said he had made representation to the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Tom Jackson, and the Grand Secretary, and he then made a field appointment to Bro. John on behalf of the Grand Master and invested him as Past Grand Standard Bearer, to the applause and approbation of everyone present. Bro. John replied movingly and said he may have days, or possibly a few weeks to live, and whilst he was fully prepared for that, he wasn’t prepared for what had just happened and thanked the DGP for making that arrangement with the GM, for which he was delighted.

A sad occasion but one with great compassion and brotherly love, never to be forgotten, which made those who witnessed the event very proud to be a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees. Our Deputy D.G.P., was able to speak with John after District Grand Council was closed and wish him well for the next journey he was soon to undertake.

The D.G.P. for Devon and Cornwall R.W. Bro. Barry Slade with his Deputy W.Bro. Clive Penraze along with the guests and visitors to the District

Photographs were taken, and everyone adjourned to the bar, followed by lunch amid the usual conviviality, with the Brethren of Devon & Cornwall.

The Brethren of Devon and Cornwall with their gurests and visitors

A long drive home, via Warlingham, after an enjoyable “day’s holiday” in Devon.

Article by Geoff Whale / Photographs by Bob Tuthill

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