A team from the Preston Masonic Study Circle made the trip to Litherland Masonic Hall, home of the BootIe Group, at the invitation of the Worshipful Master, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson and the brethren of Lathom Lodge No 2229.

The purpose of the visit was to work a demonstration of the First Degree ceremony, but with a little extra information included – a commentary explaining the background to the critical elements of the ceremony, researched and compiled by nationally renowned Masonic historian, the Rev Neville Barker.

After the lodge was opened and the domestic business was completed, the members of the PMSC demonstration team exchanged places with the officers of Lathom Lodge to work the ceremony. During the course of the ceremony the five narrators made timely and appropriate interjections at 17 points, providing information, which explained and illuminated the text of the ritual and artefacts used during the process.

There were more than 70 brethren present, including four Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, the Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. There were several Entered Apprentice Freemasons who were guests of the lodge. They were to remark later how very helpful, informative and thoroughly enjoyable they had found the demonstration. Having only recently experienced the First Degree for themselves, they had the opportunity to see what they had gone through but with the bonus of having the origins and significance of the ceremony clearly displayed and relayed to them.

At the end of the demonstration, the brethren assembled showed their spontaneous appreciation and Terry Hudson expressed thanks and congratulations on behalf of himself and all present.

The team was complemented by, and grateful to, the Rev Harry E Ross who acted as chaplain, and sorry not to have the company of Bro Alan Whittle (343) who had worked on the demonstration but had to withdraw at short notice due to a family bereavement.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson who is WM of Lathom Lodge is pictured at the special meeting when Preston Masonic Study Circle gave a demonstration of the First Degree ceremony.