On Saturday the 12^th June 1875, Illustrious Knight Robert Wentworth Little, Past Grand Senior General, Grand Recorder, accompanied by a delegation from Grand Imperial Conclave travelled to the Freemasons Hall, Sheffield, as the consecrating team for the White Rose of York Conclave No.120.

With Illustrious Knight Wentworth Little in the Chair as consecrating officer, the meeting commenced with the reception into the Order of twelve new Brother Knights this being immediately followed by the ceremony of Consecration. After the withdrawal of unqualified knights Eminent Knight William Henry Brittain was inducted as the first Most Puissant Sovereign of the Conclave and he was immediately informed that the Grand Imperial Conclave had appointed him to be the Intendant General for West Yorkshire. Thus, the West Yorkshire Division came into existence.

On Wednesday 22^nd October 2025 over 90 Worthy Knights attended the Enthronement meeting of the White Rose of York Conclave No 120 at Tapton Hall Sheffield. Present were the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign Graham Leslie Flight GCC, the Deputy Grand Sovereign Right Illustrious and Eminent Knight Christopher John Macdonald, G.C.C., the Grand Eusebius Right Illustrious and Venerable Knight the Rev. Timothy John Nicholas L’Estrange, G.C.C., rarely seen together at a private Conclave, together with a plethora of visiting Intendant-Generals and representatives from other Divisions, and a legion of Worthy Knights from across the West Yorkshire Division.

The Grand Sepulchre Guard were present in substantial numbers supporting the Grand Sovereign and needless to say they were impressive in their movements and appearance.

Those in attendance were treated to an excellent enthronement ceremony of the Sovereign Elect Em.Kt. David Vincent Hayes, conducted by the Enthroning Sovereign Ill.Kt. Dr Richard Johnson and a competent and sincere Consecration and Installation of the Viceroy Elect W.Kt. John Clague by Em.Kt. Hayes, ably assisted by members of the White Rose of York Conclave.

Following the appointment and investiture of the Conclave Officers, the Intendant-General R.Ill.Kt Keith Tolan presented a brief history of the West Yorkshire Division which had been prepared by the division’s historian V.Ill.Kt. Fred Cooper.

This history was followed by a superb thought provoking oration presented by W.Kt. Roger A T M Quick the Divisional High Prelate. The Grand Sovereign later described the oration in glowing terms and suggested that it should be made available to every member of the Order for their edification.

Before retiring from the conclave, the Grand Sovereign asked that two worthy Knights, in purple sashes be presented to him. W.Kts Abdul Mughal and Karl Ryalls had been installed into the Order and the White Rose of York Conclave only 22 days earlier.  The Grand Sovereign welcomed the two Knights to the Order and wished them a long and enjoyable association with the Order.

Next the Enthroning Sovereign Ill.Kt. Dr Richard Johnson was presented to the Grand Sovereign who praised Ill.Kt. Johnson for the quality of his ritual and his work in the Conclave. The Grand Sovereign then proceeded to Promote Ill.Kt. Johnson to the Rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer. Ill.Kt. Johnson was needless to say quite taken aback by this honour, but managed to thank the Grand Sovereign in appropriate terms.

Following the closure of the Conclave a series of photographs of the attendees were taken to commemorate the occasion.

Following a short interval for drinks the attendees enjoyed a splendid festive board and plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company. There was a delightful buzz of camaraderie and enjoyment around the tables.

The toasts to the Grand Sovereign, the West Yorkshire Division and the Most Puissant Sovereign had references to the history of the Red Cross of Constantine, the West Yorkshire Division and to the future of both the Division and the White Rose of York Conclave.

A full and packed meeting and festive board finally closed around 10:30 pm, later than most Red Cross Conclave meetings, and the members and visitors set off on their journeys home having witnessed a special and memorable celebration of 150 years of Red Cross Masonry in the West Yorkshire Division.