David Biggs

Although it has traditionally been a quiet month with no Craft or Royal Arch meetings, June now sees many of the other Orders continuing to meet.

In the Ancient and Accepted Rite, I’ve spent more time visiting Chapters in other Districts than in my own:

• The North East Lancashire Annual District Meeting was held on 2nd June at our usual venue of Rochdale, this year hosted by James D Murray Chapter. See separate article on the District Website;
• Visit to Rose of Lancastria Chapter at Garstang on 11th June, when we witnessed a first class Enthronement ceremony and the Grand Prior Most Illustrious Brother John Railton 33°presented the Inspector General for North West Lancashire, Very Illustrious Brother Philip Gardner 33°, his patent extension for a further 5 years;
• Visit to my own ‘mother’ Chapter, Benedicta Chapter at Bryn on 15th June, again an excellent Enthronement ceremony;
• Visit to the Mount of Olives Chapter, also at Bryn, on 22nd June, where we enjoyed a presentation by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Very Illustrious Brother Nick Bosanquet 33° on his adventures as a Grand DC, followed by an 8-course World Cup Themed dinner with accompanying drinks package (BTW, thanks to Christine at Bryn Masonic Hall for proving me with alternatives to all the meat courses).

In the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, I attended the half-yearly meeting of Signum Caeleste Conclave at Preston on 7th June, when old friend and former District Chairman colleague Dave Lightbown and fellow Inspector General Philip Gardner were admitted as candidates.

My Masonic month was rounded off nicely on Tuesday 26th June at the AGM of the East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund where I was re-elected as Chairman of the Prior’s Close Management Committee along with the rest of my committee who have carried out a fantastic programme of work over the past year, including holding matters together during my 2 spells in hospital.

If the month of June was a little quieter than usual on the Masonic front, the same cannot be said for my travels with Sue in her role as Federation President for Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland:

On 4th June we set off for London to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on 5th June. Although the weather was rather unsettled earlier in the day, the afternoon turned out lovely, and I was glad of my newly acquired panama hat.

Sue (for those who don’t know her, she’s the second from the left in the royal blue jacket and hat) managed to bump into a group of Soroptimists from Bournemouth and I spotted a couple of fellow Freemasons among the 5,000 strong attendance.

Other Soroptimist events attended in June included:

• Northern England Region Afternoon Tea at Hexham Priory
• Leigh and District Club ‘Women’s Forum’ in Leigh Town Square
• St. Helen’s Club 75th Charter Anniversary Lunch at Haydock Park Golf Club
• Tamworth Club 70th Charter Anniversary Dinner at Drayton Manor Hotel

Hello Folks, I’m back! Just when everything seemed to be going tickety-boo after I had spent most of November last year in hospital and getting back to normal over Christmas and the New Year, things took an unexpected turn for the worse as I was rushed back into hospital on 1st February. Seemingly, some of the treatment I had been receiving for a suspected brain tumour was not quite right and I was missing some essential hormones due to the damage to my pituitary gland.

Fortunately, that problem was quickly resolved and I was home again by 8th February,  and spent the rest of the month recuperating, coupled with some very pleasant outings with Sue to Soroptimist events as far away as Tenterden in Kent, with overnight breaks in both directions with our friends Heather and John in Chelmsford, during which we were treated to a most exceptional seafood lunch at the West Mersea Oyster Bar.

Early March saw my health much improved, with MRI scans confirming that the tumour had completely vanished and a plan agreed for regular scans to monitor any changes.

Masonic duties were quickly resumed (despite being snowed in for 4 days at the start of the month), with visits to five Rose Croix Chapters in the North East Lancashire District.

It was particularly gratifying to note that candidates were Perfected in three of the five Rose Croix Chapters visited and another Chapter has two candidates awaiting Perfection.

Further progress was made with the projects at Prior’s Close, with the launch of a new website, installation of the integrated fire alarm and emergency lighting across the whole site and two flats completely refurbished ready for new occupants. We also welcomed Keith Wareing onto the Management Committee as Groundsman and Assistant Tenant Liaison, bidding farewell to Brian Simm after 8 years on the committee.

On the social front, Sue and I attended the Second Annual District Lunch for the North East Lancashire District Rose Croix at Bury Masonic Hall and the 16th Annual Mark Masters and Royal Ark Mariner Lodge Commanders Assembly, also at Bury Masonic Hall.

Sue’s travels as Federation President of Soroptimist Internal of Great Britain and Ireland took us to the Forest Hills Hotel in Frodsham for the 70th Charter Anniversary of SI Runcorn, Frodsham and District and Baldwin’s Omega in Sheffield for the 90th Charter Anniversary of SI Sheffield. Sadly, the inclement weather on 18th March prevented us from attending the 75th Charter Anniversary of SI Burnley at the Fence Gate Inn.

Happy Easter everyone!