The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign visits North and East Lancashire
On Saturday 18th July, 2026, the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, Division of North and East Lancashire, hosted a unique and special meeting, as three Neighbouring Divisions joined together to carry out the Appendant Orders ceremony. North and East Lancashire, West Lancashire and Cumbria, joined in a Tri-Divisional meeting at Preston Masonic Hall. The Red Cross meeting was held under the Divisional banner of North and East Lancashire, with the meeting being opened at 11am by the Intendant General, Right Illustrious Knight Stephen William Bolton. The Sentinel’s book recorded 107 Knights as being present at the meeting, as all were seated and the Intendant General started the short business of this part of the morning. The necessary salutations were given and there was then a knock on the door. The Deputy Grand Marshal, Illustrious Knight Andrew Lister was admitted and addressed the Conclave, saying that the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign, Most Illustrious Knight Graham Leslie Flight, G.C.C, was in attendance and demanded admission. The Intendant General answered, saying we would be Delighted and Honoured to receive him. The Deputy Grand Marshal retired and the Grand Sepulchre Guard entered the Conclave, under the command of the newly appointed Captain, Illustrious Knight Peter Mason. Having formed an Arch of Steel, all were then called to order as the Grand Sovereign processed in. He made his way up the room to the East, where he was warmly welcomed by Right Illustrious Knight Bolton, who offered him the Baton of the Division. The Grand Sovereign thanked him for the warm welcome, but pointed out that there was important work to be done and he had his own Baton, he returned the Baton to the Intendant General and took his seat. The Deputy Grand Marshal then called all to order and the Grand Sovereign was given salutations by all present. He responded to the salutations and the meeting then continued.
As this was an Appendant Orders meeting, the Intendant General then closed the Red Cross meeting and the room was rearranged in preparation for the ceremony. Right Illustrious Knight Bolton invited Puissant Knight Peter Sacre, Divisional Standard Bearer Constantine, (Cumbria Division), to occupy the Prelates chair and start the first part of the ceremony. The team of officers from Cumbria took their seats in the room and when all were seated Peter began by opening the Sanctuary. Worthy Knight James Geering was then admitted along with the two other candidates, one from North and East Lancashire and one from West Lancashire. Worthy Knight Geering was then led through the ceremony of the First Point by Very Illustrious Knight Brian Drake. The First Point was carried out in an excellent manner and at the conclusion James and the other candidates retired from the room.
The room was then rearranged for the Second Point and Illustrious Knight David Kenworthy, Past Deputy Intendant General, North and East Lancashire, was invited to take the chair as Prelate. David invited his team to assume their places, so that the ceremony of the Second Point could begin. With all in place, the two candidates from Cumbria and West Lancashire were readmitted and took a seat in the room, to witness the Second Point. Worthy Knight Paul O’Carroll, North and East Lancashire, was then admitted into the room and taken through the ceremony of the Second Point by Puissant Knight Stephen Croasdale. Illustrious Knight Kenworthy carried out the ceremony in a confident and impeccable manner, showing that the team practices had brought about the delivery of a truly excellent ceremony. On conclusion all of the candidates retired from the room and David closed the assembly, so that the room could be prepared for the Third Point, which was to be conducted by Right Illustrious Knight Graham Williams, Intendant General, West Lancashire.
With the room rearranged and Graham’s team in place, the Commandery was opened. The additional candidates were readmitted and all was ready to proceed. Worthy Knight Dean Marsh, West Lancashire was then readmitted and Right Illustrious Knight Williams performed a clear and polished ceremony as he led his team through the Third Point. When it came to admitting the candidates as Knights of the Appendant Orders, Right Illustrious Knight Williams invited the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign to complete this important part of the ceremony. He was more than pleased to confer the Accolade on all of the Knights and he did so in a perfect and polished manner. Right Illustrious Knight Williams then completed the ceremony, but before he closed the meeting, The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign retired under the direction of his Deputy Grand Marshal, escorted by the Officers of the Grand Sepulchre Guard. The meeting was then closed and all retired to the Ballroom, where a meal was waiting to be served.
The Knights enjoyed an excellent meal served by the Chef and staff of Burnt Fig catering. There were a limited number of toasts, as the Grand Sovereign was present. In response to the toast to his health, The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign, congratulated all who had taken part in the meeting, as part of the ceremony and in making all of the plans and arrangements for it to take place. He was pleased to see such a very high standard of ritual being demonstrated and in congratulating the three new Knights, who had taken part in the ceremony, he stated that he was sure it would live in their memory for some time as one of the best ceremonies that they would witness in Freemasonry. He commented on the positive, strong and obvious friendship that existed between the three Divisions, which had led to the great feeling of harmony during the meeting and in the Social Board after the meal. He then went on to propose a toast to the health of Right Illustrious Knight Bolton and congratulated him for hosting such a successful meeting as well as the two other Intendant Generals for their support of the joint meeting, which only added to the close friendship between the three Divisions and which contributed to such a successful day. Right Illustrious Knight Bolton concluded his response by presenting the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign with a cheque on behalf of the Division of North and East Lancashire in the sum of £500, in favour of the Grand Sovereign’s Care for Children Fund. On a personal note, he also presented him with a gift to mark his visit and a small token which drew reference to his involvement in the Bluebell Railway and his passion for steam railways, it was a small pin badge from the Bluebell Railway, which had been found by Illustrious Knight Michael Walkden during a visit to a local Antique shop.