Into the Valley of the Kings
 
11am, Wednesday 25th March was the meeting time and date for the Timothy John Lewis AMD Council, which holds its meetings at Chorley Masonic Hall. TJL is a daytime Council for appointed District Officers from both East and West Lancashire. The Council meets just twice a year, in November (Installation) and in March for conferring the Degree of Grand High Priest.
Ian and Tom enjoying the occasion
On this occasion, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Thomas Firth Jackson, and the Deputy District Grand Prefect of West Lancashire, Ian Douglas Nairn, were present to witness the ceremonial as members of the Council. Unfortunately, the West Lancashire District Grand Prefect, Mark Barton, couldn’t be present due to his business commitments.
Grand Stewards Roy Ashley and Bob Summers, resplendent in  their chains of office
The Council was also pleased to welcome no less than 2 Grand Stewards to the meeting, W. Bros. Roy Ashley (West Lancs) and Bob Summers (East Lancashire). Remarkably, over 60 masons, attended the meeting, which produced a great atmosphere both in the Lodge room and later at the festive board.
 
Meeting at Chorley MH provides us with excellent facilities and the opportunity to use 2 Lodge rooms which enabled the St Lawrence Degree to be held with all Candidates present, and which was carried out in the upstairs facility. The GHP Degree was then held in the downstairs Lodge room, which had been previously set out with the considerable amount of furniture and equipment required to conduct the ceremonial.
WM, Stuart Mowbray, congratulates the Candidates
On this occasion, there was no less than 10 candidates present, should have been 12 but 2 couldn’t attend. The numbers presented some logistical difficulties for the DC and the Most Excellent President and his Officers. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the ceremony was carried out in an excellent manner and the ten candidates were subsequently ‘Anointed, Consecrated. and Set Apart to the Holy Office of Grand High Priest,’ by W. Bro. John Green assisted by David Hooley, and Barry Tomlinson.
David Hooley (Vice President) (John Green (Most Excellent President) and Barry Tomlinson (Chaplain) robed, tented and ready to go
On completion of the ceremony, the Grand Master, congratulated John and all his officers for an excellent ceremony. He also congratulated the candidates on completing this Degree. Following which, the Degree was closed indue form, and the Brethren were requested to stand to order as the GM, accompanied by the DepDGP, processed from the Council.
Brethren getting ready for the feast
The queue forming at the bar was a sure indication of the numbers attending, but this quickly abated as we approached the time for dining. Brethren assisted the catering staff to serve lunch, and this proved very apt as Brethren were served very efficiently. Wine taking and formal toasts followed, which all passed very quickly as responses in AMD are always kept to a minimum. I should add that the formal toasts at TJL (other than Loyal Toast) are always followed by ‘Fire,’ which I think enhances the proceedings; but I know that my sentiments in this are not shared by all Brethren…….never mind, each to his own.
 
Proceedings over, time to say our goodbyes and wend our way back to whence we came - all parts of East and West Lancashire - have a safe journey.

 
Words and photos by the West Lancashire Rarebit