The Furness and South Lakeland Group was honoured to provide stewards for Provincial Grand Chapter at The Winter Gardens. Almost 40 companions travelled to Blackpool on a day of very questionable weather, from the Furness Peninsula.
![Pictured left: Mark Matthews (front row, centre) and David Thomas (second left, front row) join companions from the Furness and South Lakeland Group for a team photograph. Pictured right: Recipients of honours accompanied by some senior members of the Furness and South Lakeland Group including Peter Schofield (front row, left), newly promoted Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson (front row, third left), newly promoted Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Alan Pattinson (front row third right) and David Grainger (back row, right) Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Pictured left: Mark Matthews (front row, centre) and David Thomas (second left, front row) join companions from the Furness and South Lakeland Group for a team photograph. Pictured right: Recipients of honours accompanied by some senior members of the Furness and South Lakeland Group including Peter Schofield (front row, left), newly promoted Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson (front row, third left), newly promoted Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Alan Pattinson (front row third right) and David Grainger (back row, right) Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals](https://www.westlancsfreemasons.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Furness-and-S-Lakes-Group-stewards-Provincial-Grand-Chapter-Pic-1.jpg)
An early visitor to the group was Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, who, along with Provincial Grand Director of ceremonies David Thomas, joined the team for a group photograph and wished them well.
Captain of stewards Harry Chatfield and vice captains Alan Pattinson and Richard Wilcock, divided the team to cover all possible points of entry and other duties, with the checking in of attendees and security checks of bags being key to everyone’s safety.
A long day was assured, but the companions stuck to their tasks, took breaks when possible and were glad when the time came for the festive banquet. Captain of stewards Harry said after the event: ” The companions’ roles were performed in a professional manner, and we still had smiles on our faces in the evening from the laughs we had during the day.”
John Topping, advisor to the host group, praised the day’s efforts in a message saying: “Harry, your captaincy of the teams was first class, ably supported by Richard and Alan. It was great to see the younger companions highly involved with the checking-in process and thoroughly enjoying the work.”
Teamwork and cooperation were very much the orders of the day. The debrief suggested that despite one or two small wrinkles to be ironed out, it was a great showcase for Royal Arch Freemasonry in West Lancashire and the Furness and South Lakeland Group in particular. Furness and South Lakeland Group Alan Pattinson praised the can-do attitude and work ethic very much in evidence on the day and thanked everyone who attended for their efforts.
![Pictured left from left to right, are: Terry Ridal, Mike Jenkins and Steve Ellershaw on duty outside the Empress Ballroom. Pictured centre: Graham Benson (right) checks in the first aid kit with companion Paul Wharton-Hardman. Pictured right: Glenn Hudson. Mike Jenkins and Alastair Davidson collecting WLFC envelopes prior to the ceremonial Pictured left from left to right, are: Terry Ridal, Mike Jenkins and Steve Ellershaw on duty outside the Empress Ballroom. Pictured centre: Graham Benson (right) checks in the first aid kit with companion Paul Wharton-Hardman. Pictured right: Glenn Hudson. Mike Jenkins and Alastair Davidson collecting WLFC envelopes prior to the ceremonial](https://www.westlancsfreemasons.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Furness-and-S-Lakes-Group-stewards-Provincial-Grand-Chapter-Pic-2.jpg)