The Furness and South Lakeland Group was honoured to provide stewards for Provincial Grand Chapter at The Winter Gardens. Almost 40 companions travelled to Blackpool on a day of very questionable weather, from the Furness Peninsula.
An early visitor to the group was Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, who, along with Provincial Grand Director of ceremonies David Thomas, joined the team for a group photograph and wished them well.
Captain of stewards Harry Chatfield and vice captains Alan Pattinson and Richard Wilcock, divided the team to cover all possible points of entry and other duties, with the checking in of attendees and security checks of bags being key to everyone’s safety.
A long day was assured, but the companions stuck to their tasks, took breaks when possible and were glad when the time came for the festive banquet. Captain of stewards Harry said after the event: ” The companions’ roles were performed in a professional manner, and we still had smiles on our faces in the evening from the laughs we had during the day.”
John Topping, advisor to the host group, praised the day’s efforts in a message saying: “Harry, your captaincy of the teams was first class, ably supported by Richard and Alan. It was great to see the younger companions highly involved with the checking-in process and thoroughly enjoying the work.”
Teamwork and cooperation were very much the orders of the day. The debrief suggested that despite one or two small wrinkles to be ironed out, it was a great showcase for Royal Arch Freemasonry in West Lancashire and the Furness and South Lakeland Group in particular. Furness and South Lakeland Group Alan Pattinson praised the can-do attitude and work ethic very much in evidence on the day and thanked everyone who attended for their efforts.
