On 27^th June there was a special Red Cross of Constantine meeting held at Tapton Hall in Sheffield. The first Red Cross conclave in West Yorkshire was 150 years old, but it was only a local celebration.

White Rose of York conclave No.120 was warranted on 8^th April 1875, and was consecrated in Sheffield by Robert Wentworth Little on 12^th June of that year. Sadly there was a gap of 7 years with no recorded meetings 1887-93, but work resumed in 1894 with still 15 members on the register. London only issues celebratory warrants for continuous working, so No.120 must wait until 2044 for a 150-year warrant. However, its original parchment warrant is 150 years old already, so the conclave members decided to hold a birthday party for the warrant. And they invited not only their ladies but also other Red Cross knights and their ladies to join them, as well as any Royal Arch Masons who wanted to find out more about this Christian Masonic order.

The evening began with a short regular June Red Cross meeting of the conclave, and the Intendant General Keith Tolan, his Deputy Alistair Booth, and his Viceroy Mike Crawshaw and several other Divisional officers were present. As well as the usual business, a prayer of rededication was given. A joining member Scott Kelsall was successfully balloted for as well as a candidate, and another candidate was proposed and seconded – these are the first new members for 6 years, so very good news. A history booklet covering not only the life of the White Rose conclave but also that of the second Red Cross conclave in Sheffield, Royal Standard No.167 (started in 1925), was then presented to each of the attendees.

After the meeting closed 30 minutes later, the ladies and guests were brought into the lodge room to swell the numbers to over 50, and the Sovereign Richard Johnson delivered a short talk, but first invited all the attendees to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the warrant, which everyone did with enthusiasm. He then explained some of the history of the Red Cross order, its traditions and its early development in England, and noted that the order had contributed to the new statue of Constantine the Great that was unveiled outside York Minster in 1997. He then answered a few questions from the attendees, and various photographs of the assembly were taken as a record of this special occasion.

All then moved to the dining room for an excellent meal including salmon and the Tapton Hall version of an Eton Mess. Also a celebration cake covered in candles (not 150, but still generating an appreciable amount of heat) was brought in, and people were encouraged to wear the party hats provided to emphasise that this was an informal social occasion.

At the meal Richard asked for sponsorship to encourage him to walk that part of the Pennine Way between Kinder Low and Bleaklow in the High Peak, and he would then double the amount and put the cheque into a Gift Aid envelope for the West Yorkshire Craft festival to mark the 150^th celebration – the total donated was £350. A raffle was also held at the meal, to which the charity collection in the Red Cross meeting was added, and a further £300 was able to be presented to the Bluebell Wood children’s hospice as a further way of marking our 150-year anniversary.

The picture on the left shows Illustrious Knights Geoff Flavell and Alan Perry presenting the cheque to such as worthy cause.