N-Club members welcome Mike and a special visitor

On a dry and bright Monday lunchtime the members of the Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah Club, known as the N-Club, met at The Italian Orchard Restaurant in Broughton near Preston; some accompanied by their partners or family members.

Pictured left from left to right, are: John Topping, Joanne Fox and Mike Fox. Pictured centre: Bill Huck (left) with Mike Fox. Pictured right: Chris Band (left) with Anne Clarke.

This restaurant has been an N-Club favourite for some years now as it is geographically placed towards the centre of the Province. Members had travelled from as far south as Woolton, Liverpool and from Levens, near Milnthorpe in the north.

This was the second gathering of the N-Club of 2026. It is customary for the former Scribe Nehemiahs of the Province of West Lancashire, at this meeting, to formally welcome the new Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah to their club, to wish him a successful and happy year and to present his wife or partner with flowers.

N-Club Secretary John Topping was delighted to present Joanne Fox with a beautiful display of roses and other blooms. At Provincial Grand Chapter, John had presented Mike with the Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah collar jewel and the solid gold lapel pin which features the gilt crossed quills of the badge of Scribe Nehemiah.

Pictured left: Bill Huck (left) with Ian Cuerden. Pictured centre: John James (left) with June James. Pictured right: John Topping (left) with Gina Topping.

This occasion was made extra special by the visit of former Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah Bill Huck. Bill was the Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1986 and went on to become an Assistant Provincial Grand Master giving many years of devoted service to the Province of West Lancashire.

John Topping welcomed everyone to the N-Club lunch, especially Mike Fox and Bill Huck. John announced that Bill would be 100 years young in 2027 and that he is invited to all N-Club future lunches at The Italian Orchard. Both Mike and Bill were congratulated by all the attendees.

A delightful two-course lunch was enjoyed by all. Throughout the meal, those sat close to Bill Huck listened intently to his numerous accounts of great evenings and occasions in the company of many well-known West Lancashire characters, most of them having been called to higher service over recent years.

Pictured from left to right, are: Ian Cuerden, Jim Miller, John James, Keith Lowson, Chris Band, John Topping, Roger Perry and Mike Fox.

Following the main course, John wrapped up the proceedings by thanking everyone for their attendance and company, wishing all designated drivers a safe journey back home, saying that the N-Club would be reconvening in July 2027. John suggested that photographs could be taken in the beautiful foyer entrance area to the restaurant.