Deputy District Grand Prefect points out the right line for VL Council |
| Forgive me for such a long title to this article, but hopefully all will become clear when you reach the final segment. |
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Ridgemont House in all its splendour |
| Wednesday, 6th May 2026 was the rearranged date for the Viscount Leverhulme AMD Council Installation of Bro. John Richard Breakwell at Ridgemont House, Horwich. Funnily enough, Horwich is part of Bolton MBC, which we associate with East Lancashire. But it just happens that in Masonic terms, East and West Lancashire boundaries are determined in this area by the A6 road, so Ridgemont House is sited within the West Lancashire Province. This Masonic Hall is a grade II listed building, originally constructed around 1800 for Thomas Ridgeway, a local business man. It was later the home of a local Conservative MP, Arthur Walton Ainsworth in the early 20thC. |
| VL Council is the youngest Allied Council in West Lancashire, having been consecrated in 2014. W. Bro. Martin Brownlow who unfortunately died a few years ago, obtained permission from the family of Lord Leverhulme to use the title. Lord Leverhulme was a very prominent Freemason, industrialist, philanthropist and politician in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was also the founder of Port Sunlight, and a very generous benefactor of his home town of Bolton. |
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Smile for the camera please |
| Anyway, back to main theme of this article. The Installation meeting of VL Council is always a happy and enjoyable occasion, and this meeting was to turn out no different. The main item on the agenda was the Installation of Bro. John Breakwell. Unfortunately, The Master, W. Bro Jack Lyon has been beset with a few health problems and on the last minute couldn’t attend. Jack has been an ever-present over a number of years and has served the Council well during his year of Office, and we thank him for that. Hope you’re feeling better Jack, we missed you! |
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Ian Nairn Deputy DGP Mike Greenalgh Installing Master and John Breakwell newly Installed Master |
| So, super-sub W. Bro. Michael Greenalgh took over the reins and opened the Council in due form. Preliminary business was conducted very efficiently, salutations being offered to our Past DGP of West Lancashire, R. W. Bro. Paul Snape, VW Brethren and other Grand Officers. The proceedings were interrupted by knocks on the door of the Lodge, and the Asst. DGDC, V.W. Bro. Maurice Evans, demanded admission for our Principal Guest, W. Bro. Ian Douglas Nairn. Ian was also accompanied by an Acting Grand DC, W. Bro Steve Sharp who was resplendent in his chain of office. Ian was duly welcomed and offered the gavel on entry, but, in thanking the Master for his courtesy, he said that he was reluctant to hold on to it as he felt that there was some demanding ceremonial to come. |
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SW Derek English, WM John Breakwell and JW Daniel Healey |
| The Installing Master, Mike Greenalgh, then gave thanks on behalf of WM Jack Lyon, apologising for his absence and offering Jack’s gratitude to Brethren for their support over the past year. Installing Officers were appointed and Bro John Breakwell was presented and then Installed by Mike in an exemplary manner. Officers were appointed and invested, and the Installation Ceremony completed. Following the 1st/2nd and 3rd risings, W. Bro. Nairn brought the greetings of Grand and District Grand Council. He congratulated the newly Installed Master and thanked all those who had participated in the ceremonial, particularly the Installing Master, Mike Greenalgh. The Deputy DGP, accompanied by the Acting Grand Officer, then retired from the Lodge room. Remaining business was concluded, the Council was closed in due form and the Master, accompanied by the Past DGP and VW Brethren, retired. |
| The festive board was a very enjoyable occasion, made more pleasing when we were addressed by our very own Station Master and Deputy DGP, Ian Douglas Nairn, who used a number of railway metaphors in his address, making many ‘points’ to encourage Brethren to keep on the ‘right track’ and not to be ‘sidelined’ or the Council could be in danger of hitting the ‘buffers’.,,,,,,…, So, it was then good night from me, and goodnight from him. |
| Words by (oh) Mr Porter Photos by Thomas Tank Engine |
