As the clouds and showers blew in over Chorley, a team of hardy, determined group stewards from across the region gathered at Chorley Masonic Hall for a one-hour evening briefing, in preparation for the annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Friday 8 May.
Dave Bishop, Chorley and Leyland Group Chairman introduced John Topping to the team and announced that Jeff Lucas was the Captain of Stewards, supported by Peter Willingham and Derek Robinson as vice captains. John is the advisor to all host groups who steward Provincial meetings and has been delivering group steward training sessions prior to all Provincial meetings since 2021. John was accompanied by Mick Southern, Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary.
John explained the various duties required of group stewards from check-in and bag checks, directing recipients to their sign-in area, supervising the robing areas, support within the Empress Ballroom, escorting distinguished guests to the Derham Lounge with the support of Provincial Stewards in regalia and the management of the group stewards’ base room.
A detailed power point presentation assisted John in identifying the locations and areas that group stewards operate in as well as showing specific sites for the Provincial office, the merchandise table managed by Violet and Shona, location of first aid team and the PSA prostate kit table. John explained that contact between key personnel would be achieved through two-way radios from the Provincial office as well as mobile phone contact with the first aid team. John and Jeff spoke about the management of charity envelopes on the day of Provincial Grand Lodge, as many brethren will contribute to charity by this method.
At the appropriate moment, John invited Mick to explain the Ticket Tailor phone app which is used as the main device for scanning-in of all brethren, (except distinguished guests and recipients), following the bag check. Mick directed all group stewards to the logging in details, especially to the check-in team who will be working with Peter Willingham, vice captain, at the front of house.
After a range of helpful questions, the evening was concluded with Dave Bishop thanking everyone for their attendance and commitment. He thanked John and Mick for their contributions to this briefing session. If you are able to attend Provincial Grand Lodge on Friday 8 May, please use the emailed link supplied by the Provincial Office to register your place for the meeting which commences at 14:30. The banquet follows at 17:00. You will now need to check whether banquet tickets are available.
