A group of candidates from Chapters in the North East Lancashire District, supported by District Recorder Ill∴Bro. Jack Aston 32° and personal guests, travelled to London for the Higher Degrees Meeting at Duke Street, St. James’s on Tuesday 11th February 2020.

The first part of the Higher Degrees meeting each February comprises a Sovereign Tribunal of Grand Inspectors Inquisitors Commanders 31°.

On this occasion, Ill∴Bro. Brian Simm, long-serving Recorder of Mark Wilkinson Chapter No.194 was one of nineteen candidates receiving richly deserved promotion to the 31°.

Brian was joined in this ceremony by two colleagues from Chapters in the South East Lancashire District who are well known to many of us through their connections not only in Rose Croix but other Orders, namely:

Ill∴Bro. Ken Hampson 31° ~ Recorder of East Lancashire Chapter No.440

Ill∴Bro. Mervyn Wilson 31°~ District Grand Prefect, Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees, District of East Lancashire

The Sovereign Tribunal was closed and a Grand Chapter of Grand Elected Knights Kadosh 30° was opened. Some 35 Brethren from Chapters across England and Wales were honoured with promotions to the 30° Grand Elected Knight Kadosh, Knight of the Black and White Eagle.

Brethren from the North East Lancashire District receiving promotion to the 30° were:

Ill∴Bro. Philip Beaumont 30° – William Horrocks Chapter No.603

Ill∴Bro. Fred Blackburn 30° – Bury Chapter No.435

Ill∴Bro. Robert Findlay 30° – St. Peter’s Chapter No.31

Ill∴Bro. Robert Jopson 30° – Accrington Chapter No.364

Brethren from the North East Lancashire District at Mark Masons’ Hall. From Left to Right: Ill∴Bro. Ken Alker 31° (guest), Ill∴Bro. Robert Findlay 30°, Ill∴Bro. Brian Simm 31°, Ill∴Bro. Philip Beaumont 30°, Ill∴Bro. Robert Jopson 30°, Ill∴Bro. Peter Aspinall 31° (guest).

The ceremony was followed by a drinks reception and festive board at Mark Masons’ Hall instead of the usual venue of the Royal Overseas League.