News - Visit to Wrexham for the Cheshire & North Wales District Grand Council Meeting

W.Bro. Geoff Whale Dep. D.G.P all set for the journey at Silly O'Clock

On Saturday 14th February, the Deputy District Grand Prefect, W.Bro. Geoff Whale, attended the annual meeting for the District of Cheshire and North Wales, as the D.G.P. had been instructed to be at home with his wife for a special Valentine’s Day supper that evening.

The Master, W. Bro. Lee Curtis, opened the Council in the degree of St Lawrence the Martyr, after which the Council D.C., R.W. Bro. Peter Brockbank, saluted the Dep.D.G.P., (a real role reversal) who responded suitably, adding he was delighted to be present to see Bro. Denis installed, as they had been work colleagues some 40 odd years ago, well before Denis’s Initiation into St. Barnabas Lodge.

The day started with Dep. D.G.P. waking up at silly o’clock, and his wife conveying him to the station to catch the 06:23 to Victoria, a tube to Euston, then the 08:02 to Chester, a short wait for a ‘Travel for Wales’ train to Wrexham, and a 10-minute walk to the masonic hall, arriving at 10:45am, about four and a half hours later.

The meeting was opened by the D.G.P. for Cheshire & N. Wales, R. W. Bro. Brian Williams, at 11.00 and he welcomed all the visiting D.G.P.’s, Dep. D.G.P.’s and Heads of Orders within the District, except for our Deputy D.G.P., who hadn’t been booked in by their Dist. G. Sec. Bro. Geoff jumped up and announced himself, giving the apologies of our R.W. Bro. Brian Ward, citing that he is the T.I.M. of Octavian Council.

The D.G.P. then asked the Chaplain to read the names of the Brethren who had been called to higher service.

The D.G.P. then re-appointed his Dep D.G.P., W. Bro. Graham Kirby, who was saluted by the Dist. G D. C. and responded suitably. The D.G.P. continued by Investing the rest of the District Officers, who were also saluted. After this part of the ceremony the D.G.P. proceeded with some administrative issues and gave his presentation to the Brethren, after which District Grand Council was closed in due form.

The D.G.P. and Executive recessed from the temple - the Brethren departed to the bar to enjoy a pre luncheon drink together – while the obligatory photographs were taken, before an enjoyable lunch. Our Dep. D.G.P. was able to catch the 3:00pm from Wales to Chester, arriving home at 7:45pm, in time to enjoy a Valentine’s meal with his wife at about 8:00pm.

R.W.Bro Brian Wailliams (D.G.P for Cheshire and N. Wales) and his Deputy W.Bro. Graham Kirkby with W.Bro. Geoff Whale Dep. D.G.P. for Kent

Article by Geoff Whale

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