Bill in at T.F.J.
 
The bijou setting of Grange over Sands masonic hall was the setting for the installation meeting of the Thomas Firth Council No 262 in the Allied degree.
Mark Barton and Bill Joughin
Installed into the chair was Bill Joughin or to give him his full name John William Joughin Freeman of the Borough of Barrow in Furness.
 
Illness meant that very disappointedly WM Keiron Mullan, who had been very much looking forward to the occasion, was unable to attend and it fell to the IPM tostep in as installing master – and I can say it was a pleasure to do so.
Jim Richards, Mark Barton, Nigel Higginson and Barry Hadley
The council was pleased to welcome District Grand Prefect Mark Barton to the meeting. Mark was called into action to present and briefly explain Grand Council certificates to Nigel Higginson, Jim Richards and Barry Hadley.
 
There was a ballot for a joining member on the evening as well as a new candidate. Bill will be gainfully employed in his year of office. The next meeting in October will, hopefully, be at Barrow in Furness masonic hall. The degree of St Laurence and Grand Tilers being worked.
The assembled Brethren
The installation meal was somewhat basic fare but was extremely well received. Steak and potato pie from Higginson’s butchers followed by cheese and biscuits. It went down a treat.
 
There are no aprons in the Allied degree but Nigel Higginson donned one to serve up the delicious pie from the premises his family founded.
Nigel Higginson
Very much appreciated was the wok of non-member Tim Horsfall of Arthur John Brogden craft lodge who had given of his time to man the bar.
Tim Horsfall
All in all it was a very successful evening with the added bonus of being able to make the journey home in daylight.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear