The newly installed Commander knew he had to deliver the opening and closing ritual in the RAM plus, as Gawthorpe RAM and Shuttleworth Allied Council share the same night, he had the same to deliver in the Allied Masonic Degree too. If you know these two orders then you are aware the ritual for both is similar but different enough to really throw you at certain parts of the ceremony. 

The meeting held at Colne Masonic Hall on 4th March went ok in the end, there was however a pleasant surprise, which wasn’t announced until 24 hours prior to the meeting. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the RAM W.Bro Gerald Noel Howard Young ProvRAMGR was attending to present Gawthorpe Lodge with its Patron Collarette in thanks for supporting the 2021 Mark Festival. It was a pleasant surprise for the Brethren and Worshipful Commander. However, it got even better. Also attending in the role of Deputy District Grand Prefect for East Lancashire Allied Masonic Degrees was John Barlow who was visiting I’m sure to keep an eye on things. It was good to see him.

Neither of them took the opportunity to accept the gavel when offered and opted to remain seated in both orders to enjoy the meetings.  W.Bro David Biggs proceeded to educate us with a paper entitled “The emergence of additional degrees” compiled from an old book he had secured online. It proved to be really interesting and well worth Davids efforts to compile the paper. 

The two meetings were a happy occasion and a pleasure to have received recognition for support in the RAM and a distinguished visitor in the Allied.