A royal turnout for the Deputy Grand Superintendent

In the relaxed surroundings of Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel, Gladstone Group Chairman Bill Culshaw and the members of the newly reconstituted Liverpool Gladstone Group were delighted and honoured to welcome Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid to their inaugural Group Dinner.

On this occasion Steven was accompanied by the newly appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones as well as Howard’s successor as Assistant Provincial Grand Master Roy Skidmore and Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee. Also in attendance were Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ian Fisher and Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah Ed Mawdsley.

Pictured from left to right, are: Dave Wright and John Wilson chatting to Steven Reid.

The proceedings were started by Royal Arch Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Mark Dimelow who introduced the senior officers of the Province. The format for the evening was changed for this meeting, instead of the more formal QA session, Steven and the other members met with the masters of lodges and first principals of chapters for an informal champagne reception. All 13 lodges and seven chapters were represented and topics under discussion varied widely. This group then dispersed and joined the main gathering prior to being called to dinner. 

In keeping with the informal nature of the meeting, the 88 members and their guests dined on round tables and were treated to a very pleasant meal.

The proposal to the health of Steven was very eloquently delivered by Robert Burgess, (Past First Principal of Chapter of Justice No 6850), who deliberately left aside Steven’s obvious abilities and efforts in the service of Freemasonry and concentrated instead on his non-Masonic CV and service to the community in general. Golfer, researcher, author, doctor and family all were covered and the assembled gathering were left fully informed of the man and his dedication to his various roles.

In response to the toast to his health, Steven thanked the members for the welcome he and the officers of the Province had received and the manner in which the evening had progressed. He commended Bill Culshaw for the way he had re-organised the Liverpool Gladstone Group and looked forward to the future. He reminded the group of the value of the Royal Arch and was able to report that the membership numbers continued to increase albeit at a slower pace than in the past.

Bill, in responding to the toast to the group by Ed Mawdsley,  paid tribute to the hard work put in by group secretary Mike Radcliffe in organising the evening. He also took the opportunity to welcome the members of the lodges and chapters who had been transferred to the group during the recent re-organisation. Bill added that he was delighted to welcome the four chairmen of the surrounding groups for their support. Bill reminded his audience that Ian Fisher would be retiring in April this year and thanked Ian for all his help during his tenure of office.

The evening was completed with presentations to the principal guest; one of which was a cheque for £500 to the Royal Arch Appeal. 

Pictured from left to right, are: Ed Mawdsley, Geoffrey Lee, Roy Skidmore, Howard Jones, Steven Reid, Bill Culshaw, Ian Fisher and Mark Dimelow.