Second Provincial Grand Principal

Excellent Companion Brian Robert Barden PAGSoj.
 

Personal
Born in Dover on the 25th November 1938. Attended St Bart’s and Astor Schools followed by an apprenticeship as a Vehicle Mechanic at a local garage.

Married Evelyn, a Dover girl, in November 1959. We have a Daughter Susan and two Grandchildren, Grant and Amy. Undertook National Service 1960 – 1962 and returned to working in the garage.

A job move took us to Poole in Dorset in June 1967, working for Corralls as Fleet Transport Engineer for the Western Region. With the introduction of HGV Testing and the establishment of a Group Vehicle Repair complex moved to Portsmouth in 1970 to function as its Service Manager.

An inter Company transfer to a newly formed Heating/Ventilation Energy Management Company in 1980, based at the London Office, created the opportunity to return to Kent where we settled in Maidstone and have remained following my early retirement in July 1997 .

Masonic
Initiated into the Cathedral Lodge, Portsmouth, No. 7753 in December 1974. WM 1982. Appointed and promoted in the Province of Hampshire & Isle of White to PPrSGD 1990 and PPrJGW in 1999. (After 30 years travelling from Maidstone to Portsmouth circumstances dictated my resignation from Cathedral Lodge in April 2010)

Exalted into Wayfarers Chapter No. 5740, Cosham, in 1977. (Resigned 1981)

Upon returning to Kent, I joined the Bearsted Chapter, No. 6069, in 1981. MEZ 1986. I have served the Chapter in the offices of ADC, DC, Scribe E and am currently Organist.

Appointed PPrGSoj 1992, promoted to PrGSwdB 1999 and to 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in 2007. Appointed PAGDC in Grand Chapter 2002 and promoted to PAGSoj in 2009.

Joined Per Mare Per Terram Chapter No. 3609 in 1999. Scribe E April 1999 to 2003. (Resigned December 2009)

Joined the Fleur de Lis Lodge No. 8969 in 1983. WM 1991. Currently Lodge Organist. Appointed PrAGDC 1999, Promoted to PrGReg 2005. Appointed PAGDC in Grand Lodge 2005.

Joined the Rochester Castle Lodge No.9260, in 1999. Lodge Secretary 1999 to 2005, WM 2007
Founder member of Sir Edward Elgar Lodge No.9837.

Having started, rather late in life and from scratch my enthusiasm and interest in achieving an acceptable standard of performance on the organ has been rewarded with Honorary Membership in Swakely Lodge No. 6634, Per Mare Per Terram Lodge No. 3609 and Chillington Manor Lodge No. 4649. I have also served the office of Organist in a number of other Lodges and Chapters.

I also enjoy membership of and have held office in the following Degrees and Orders: Mark and Mariners, Rose Croix, Knight Templar and Knight Templar Priests, Royal and Select Masters, Red Cross of Constantine and Royal Order of Scotland.

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