A sunny and breezy Monday lunchtime meal at The Italian Orchard Restaurant in Broughton near Preston, was a perfect venue for 12 former Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiahs to gather as a group to welcome John Topping as the next Scribe Nehemiah of the Province of West Lancashire. John will be invested into this role at the next Provincial Grand Chapter meeting to be held at the Winter Gardens Conference Centre in Blackpool on 17 September 2025.
Following a welcoming introduction and details of apologies received, Ian Cuerden, Secretary of the Nehemiahs Club (N-Club), gave an update regarding the health of Frank Clarke, who is a very long-serving and highly regarded member and Ian invited attendees to sign a get-well card for Frank. Brian Griffiths, as the current Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah, then warmly welcomed John Topping to the group and all present wished him a happy and successful year in his new role. With Ian Cuerden looking to retire as secretary of this group, a post he has held since COVID, John agreed to serve in this capacity for the foreseeable future.
Lunch quickly followed and all 13 diners were very impressed with their excellent meal choices. The two-course lunch menu had something for everyone and the table was well looked after by many attentive staff. During the meal, there was a discussion to consider whether the team would like an N-Club lunch at which ladies could attend. The action was for John and Ian to collate a number of potential dates for later in the year and circulate amongst the group members to determine the most popular choice of date.
At an appropriate time, following the main course, Ian Cuerden thanked everyone for their attendance and again wished John a great year in office. John Topping thanked all the members for their kindness and support, promising to give his very best to the role and received a round of applause from all the members following his comments of grateful appreciation.
