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At the Earl of Harwood Conclave No
71 meeting, held on Saturday 6th February 2010 it was most certainly a unique day not only for the Conclave itself,
for the Order of the Secret Monitor in East Lancashire but of course for one individual in particular.
50 years in the Order of the Secret Monitor is very, very rare, in fact this might be a first in East Lancashire & therefore it was a privilege for all who attended the meeting to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler for the Province of East Lancashire, RWyBro Howard Stephen Nuttall representing the Grand Supreme Ruler Most WyBro Michael William Guest accepted the gavel of the Conclave when proffered by the Supreme Ruler WyBro John Crawford & addressed over forty members & visitors who had attended to celebrate with VWyBro Geoffrey. In his opening address the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler thanked our VWyBro for giving this opportunity to celebrate with him this unique occasion & at the same time for us to think about those Brethren who have passed along the road with our very dear Brother to ensure that the Earl of Harwood Conclave No 71 still thrives. He then requested the Acting Provincial Director of Ceremonies WyBro Alan Hever to place VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor in front of the pedestal. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then addressed VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor during which he gave a short history of his Masonic career. “ Brethren, VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor was initiated into King Oswald Lodge No 3306 on 9th January 1952. He was inducted into Earl of Harwood Conclave No 71on 6th February 1960, being balloted & accepted the previous meeting in November. At an emergency meeting held Wednesday 30th March the same year, Geoff along with four other inductees, were admitted as Prince’s of the Order. It was some ten years later following his passing through all the various offices of the Conclave that Bro Geoffrey became WyBro Geoffrey when he was installed as Supreme Ruler of Earl of Harwood Conclave No 71, in May1970. In recognition of his work in the Conclave he was honoured with the Rank of Provincial Grand Steward & a year later in 1972 promoted to Past Provincial Grand Visitor. Grand honours followed in 1974 when he received the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer. Further recognition was to follow in 1992 when WyBro Geoffrey was honoured with the rank of Past Grand Visitor & thereby becoming a Very Worthy Brother; a Rank he holds to this day & one which is now very rarely bestowed. I have been associated with the Province of East Lancashire in the Order of the Secret Monitor for just over ten years, a short while in comparison, but I remember VWyBro. Peter Geoffrey MacGregor as being there throughout this time, in fact I never knew which Conclave he was a member of, as he seemed to be at every meeting that I went to. VWyBro Geoffrey, it is with great pleasure that I, firstly on behalf of the Grand Supreme Ruler Most Worthy Bro Michael William Guest, congratulate you on attaining 50 years in the Order of the Secret Monitor. I also on my own behalf & on behalf of all the brethren of the Province of East Lancashire - many of whom know you personally, many of who know you casually & the rest know you by sight - send our warm fraternal congratulations and, most of all, wish you good health so that you will be able to enjoy your Secret Monitor Masonry with us all well into the future.” The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then stepped down from the chair to the body of the Conclave where he invested VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor, saying what a great pleasure it was to invest him with the Jewel to commemorate 50 years service to the Order, & presented him with a certificate to confirm the event. He then added “May the friend of all friends the founder of faithful friendship grant you good health for many years to come to enable you to wear that Jewel in remembrance of this wonderful occasion.” VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor was then processed around the Conclave by The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler to the acknowledgment of all present & returned to his position in the centre of the Conclave. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then requested the Supreme Ruler of the Earl of Harwood to return to his rightful place. WyBro John Crawford then presented VWyBro Peter Geoffrey MacGregor with a commemorative watch from the Earl of Harwood Conclave in recognition of his 50 years as a Member. WyBro Tom Gallaher addressed the Conclave & gave a light-hearted but comprehensive history of the life of VWyBro Geoffrey. The day finished with the “Birthday Boy” enjoying an excellent social board amongst all his Secret Monitor friends. Thanks go to the excellent organisation by the Supreme Ruler & Members of the Earl of Harwood Conclave, in particular VWyBro David Woods, Secretary; also to the staff of Accrington Masonic Hall for the excellent meal & service. Finally the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler thanked the Provincial Team Members who once again had given their time to support him on this happy occasion. Especial thanks went to those who took offices at short notice, in particular WyBro Alan Hever who stepped in as Provincial Director of Ceremonies and did a first class job.
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