The Annual Trip to experience the Craft and Royal Arch Investiture meetings at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street was as thrilling and as enjoyable as ever. Almost 50 brethren and companions from East Lancashire travelled to London to make up the 1500 who attended the Craft meeting on 28th April. A large group of us travelled together by train, including many of those who were to be invested. The excitement was high for everyone. After checking in at the Hotel we changed and walked from Russell Square to the Masonic Hall, joining the throngs being admitted through the various entrances of the magnificent building.

The Hall is open all year round to visitors and is certainly worth a trip if you are in London - beautiful art deco style doesn't begin to describe the interior of this grade 2 listed building and the view within the Grand Temple, where the meetings of United Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter are held, takes one's breath away (East Lancashire donated the doors), especially when full to capacity!

The Most Worshipful the Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Kent, KG, (below left) presided over Grand Lodge and he had the distinct pleasure of greeting the brethren of East Lancashire who were receiving promotions and appointments in Grand Lodge, and investing them with their respective collars and jewels.

Past Grand Rank is conferred on Individuals who have given extreme meritorious service to Freemasonry and reflects the high level at which they have either worked for or led the Order in their Province. Acting Ranks may be even more prestigious as the bearer usually gets to do some work on the floor at Grand Lodge and for some ranks, for example in the case of the Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, they will travel with Masonic Rulers to do work aroung the country, for example, when Installing a new Provincial Grand Master or attending a Lodge Bi-Centenary celebration.

East Lancashire was not only well represented for attendance, but had been fortunate to have a healthy share of candidates for appointment or promotion. These included WBro Kai Hughes who became the first Grand Orator. Kai is well known to us all as our Provincial Grand Orator. WBro Alexander Sillars McLaren, similarly well known to us as one of the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters of the Province, was invested as Junior Grand Deacon. We also had WBro Stephen Blank, Past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, assisting the Grand Director of Ceremonies' team during the Investiture.

Following the Investiture meeting the newly invested Officers joined our Provincial Grand Master and other Leaders from the Province at a splendid banquet, attended by the Grand Master and many Grand and other Officers from throughout United Grand Lodge, before retiring to the Hotel bar. Drinks and merriment shared with all those attending from East Lancashire and some of our neighbouring and other Provinces rounded the day off tremendously.

The Following day, after a fulfilling breakfast, it was time to get ready again, but this time for the Supreme Grand Chapter Investiture meeting. The Grand Temple was once again a splendid site full of the magnificent Royal Arch colour and finery. Presiding today was the Pro First Grand Principal, MComp Peter Geoffrey Lowndes. His first enjoyable job was to Install as 3rd Grand Principal, EComp David Williamson, well known to us all as the Assistant Grand Master in the Craft. Both were of course supported by the 2nd Grand Principal, EComp George Pipon Francis.

The Royal Arch Province of East Lancashire was again well supported at Supreme Grand Chapter. Over 40 Companions joined our ME Grand Superintendent, Jack Price, to congratulate the companions from East Lancashire who received appointment or promotion in Supreme Grand Chapter. Following the Chapter meeting a superb lunch was held in the Connaught Rooms adjacent to Grand Lodge. The main course included a large pie - well received by companions from the Province :-)

Following lunch we again retired to the hotel to change before returning home. Many had time to spare in the afternoon for some sight seeing around the Thames, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. We also had the opportunity to avail ourselves of the hospitality afforded by the numerous local hostelries!

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