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. A large entourage of brethren and companions from East Lancashire accompanied the Provincial Grand Master to London to make up the 1500 who attended the Craft meeting on 27th April. Many travelled together by train, including a number of those who were to be invested. The excitement was high for everyone. After checking in we changed and walked from the Tavistock hotel to the Masonic Hall, joining the throngs being admitted through the various entrances of the magnificent building.

Freemasons' Hall, at Great Queen Street, London, is open all year round to visitors and is certainly worth a trip if you are heading south - 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 share of candidates for appointment or promotion. We also had WBro Stephen Blank, Past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, assisting the Grand Director of Ceremonies' team during the Investiture!

Memories from London - April 2011

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 other leaders and Officers from United Grand Lodge. A group of us (21 all told) not fortunate enough to be invited to the banquet, enjoyed a fabulous night at a local restaurant before meeting up with the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price and the others, later in the hotel's bar. Drink and merriment were shared between all those attending from East Lancashire and some from our neighbouring and other Provinces, rounding 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 colours. Presiding today was the Pro First Grand Principal, MEComp Peter Geoffrey Lowndes. who was supported by the 2nd Grand Principal, EComp George Pipon Francis and the 3rd Grand Principal, EComp David Williamson, the latter well known to us all as the Assistant Grand Master in the Craft.

The Royal Arch Province of East Lancashire was again well supported at Supreme Grand Chapter. A multitude of Companions joined our ME Grand Superintendent, Jack Price, to congratulate the companions from East Lancashire who had 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.

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 Trafalgar Square, the Mall, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and Westminster Abbey. This was, of course, the day before the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, so to be able to soak up the atmosphere just prior to this magnificent event was both warming and rewarding. As was capitalising on the opportunity to avail ourselves of the hospitality afforded by the numerous local hostelries en-route.

The Supreme Grand Chapter Lunch