News - A long but enjoyable trek North for the District Grand Prefect

At 1:00pm on Friday the 6th March the District Grand Prefect R.W.Bro. Brian Ward started his journey from Folkestone to Durham on the train. A journey which thankfully proved to be trouble free and on his arrival at Durham station he was met by Bro. Peter Lapage.

The purpose of this trip was to represent the District of Kent at the Allied District meeting of Northumberland and Durham which was being held at Gateshead on Saturday 7th March and to take the opportunity to introduce Bro. Peter to the District Grand Prefect R. W. Bro. Danny Guy and the brethren of the district.

The Iconic structure of the North observed while heading to the meeting

R.W.Bro. Brian Ward and Bro. Peter Lapage represent Kent

Having enjoyed superb ‘on tramp’ hospitality and lodgings provided by Peter and his wife Karin, which included extensive sampling of a very acceptable Welsh Whisky the morning of Saturday 7th March dawned bright, clear but very cold. So cold in fact that ice had to be scrapped from the car windshield before they could set off to Gateshead.

On their arrival at the Masonic centre in Gateshead both Brian and Peter were given a very warm welcome, and whilst introductions and invitations to attend various councils abounded for Peter Brian headed off to secure a cuppa and bacon butties for them both. These were enjoyed whilst more introductions and invitations were extended to Peter. This truly was Allied masonry at its very very best.

R.W.Bro. Danny Guy welcomes R.W.Bro. Brian Ward to his District meeting

R.W.Bro. Danny Guy welcomes Bro. Peter Lapage to the District

At 11:15am the District Grand Prefect for Northumberland and Durham R. W. Bro. Danny Guy and his active officers processed into the temple to loud acclaim given by over one hundred brethren who were already seated in the temple. Having opened the District meeting in due form the D.G.P. welcomed the visiting D.G.P.’s, heads of orders from within the district and other distinguished brethren to the meeting.

The meeting then followed the agenda with ruthless efficiency leading to the appointment of district officers for the year and ending with a superb address to the brethren. The meeting was then closed in due before the D.G.P. along with the newly appointed officers for the year processed from the temple before reassembling for photographs.

R.W.Bro. Danny Guy with his District Officers and Guests

Refreshments and conversation were then enjoyed by all before the brethren enjoyed a fabulous festive board together. At the end of the festive board Brian was driven back to Durham station by Peter. Sadly, the journey home for Brian involved an unexpected two-hour coach journey from Durham to York. However, after this unexpected surprise the journey home was trouble free and he arrived in Folkestone at just after 9:00pm.

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