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Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Worshipful Bro. John Christopher Grumbridge PSGD
John was born in Kingston-upon-Thames just before the war.
During his early years he moved around the country to be as near as possible
to his father, a serving Officer in the Royal Artillery. The family returned
to Kingston after the war and John completed his education at the Kingston
Grammar School and Ottershaw College.
At the age of seventeen he moved to Ipswich, Suffolk, and began a career in
agriculture. He worked generally in East Anglia; living not only in Ipswich,
but in Cambridge and Norwich where he was initiated into the Walpole Lodge No.
1500 in 1966. That year he moved to Kent, as Farm Manager of Payden Street
Farm, Lenham, a 300 acre unit.
In 1969, he started a business opening his first garden centre in Maidstone,
in 1976, with others to follow.
In 1972, he joined the Maeides Stana Lodge No. 7868 and was Master in 1982. He
joined the Douglas Lodge No.1725 and was Master of this lodge in 1989. He was
appointed Past Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar in 1989 and Provincial Grand
Charity Steward ion 1992. In 2000 he was Founding Master of the Millennium
Lodge of Charity No. 9730. In 1997 he was appointed Past Grand Director of
Ceremonies and promoted to Past Senior Grand Deacon in 2005, after his
appointment of as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 2004. He is also a
member of the East Kent Masters’ Lodge No. 3931 and was installed as
Worshipful Master of this lodge in May 2007.
In Chapter, he was exalted into the Agricola Chapter No. 4501 in 1975 and was
First Principal in 1987. He was a founding M.E.Z. of the Maeides Stana Chapter
No. 7868 in 1990. He was appointed Provincial Grand Steward in 1991, Past
Grand Sojonour in 1996, and appointed Past Grand Director of Ceremonies in
1999. He is a Past Z. of Commemoration Chapter of Installed Principals No.
5329, First Principal of the East Kent Stewards’ Chapter and a member of East
Kent First Principals’ Chapter No. 3931.
His other Masonic interests have included being the Secretary of the Stability
Ritual Association, when the new Ritual book was published in 1992, being the
Secretary and Treasurer of the Maidstone Masonic Centre for ten years, which
included the rebuilding programme in 1992/3 and continuing to be a Trustee of
the Ancient College Gateway in Maidstone.
He is Past Sovereign of Cornwallis Chapter Rose Croix, No. 444, Master of the
Kent Mark Stewards’ Lodge No. 1691 and a First Constable in the Lord Harris
Preceptory Knights Templar No. 475 and hopes to advance through the Chair
during 2007/08.
His business interests are currently less demanding which allows him more time
to devote, not only to Freemasonry, but also being a Foster Carer, something
he and his wife Christine have enjoyed over the last nine years. They also
have Luke, an adopted eight year old living with them.
He also is a Governor and Past Chairman of Hadlow College, a member of the
Worshipful Company of Farmers and a member of the Farmers’ Club, in London.
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