It’s not often you get a special visit from the Provincial Grand Master, but White Hills Lodge No 5209 was delighted to welcome Mark Matthews to Leyland for the second degree passing of Michael Hillyard.
The WM Chris Wilson and the White Hills Lodge officers opened the lodge and Chris officially welcomed Mark to the lodge and hoped he would have a great evening. Mark’s visit was to show his thanks and acknowledgement to Mark Humphrey for the great work and commitment he had given during his role as Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
The ceremony commenced with senior deacon Neil Bramwell carefully directing Michael around the lodge, closely followed by Robert Millwood as junior deacon. The ritual was delivered well between Chris and his deacons, with Michael quickly passed to the second degree in great form, following a great delivery of the working tools by Robert.
Mark was accompanied by a team of many acting Provincial grand officers: Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Peter Littlehales, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Dean Walters, Provincial Grand Registrar John Gibson, Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Martin Clements and Provincial Grand Membership Officer Neil Ward.
At the festive board there were lots of very friendly conversations amongst the brethren and during the toasts, Mark stood to thank Mark Humphrey for his splendid year as senior warden of the Province. Mark’s thanks and comments were replicated by the members of White Hills Lodge and his speech to Mark ended in rapturous applause. It was clear to see the emotion in Mark’s response and the respect from the brethren towards him. He then stood to give his thanks to Mark for choosing him, sharing that his year as senior warden had been one of his best and it was welcomed by the huge reception from the brethren present.
Just as the festive board ended, Derek Alty, master of Leyland Hesketh Lodge No 986, presented Chris Wilson with the travelling gavel. Which means that Chris will now have to visit another lodge, with members of his lodge, to pass on the gavel.