Province of East Kent

“That in view of the overcrowding and stagnation in promotion… a new lodge should be formed” are words rarely heard today, yet such were the cries of brethren of The Lord Charles Beresford Lodge No.2402 in 1907. Strangely, it was to be the Pentangle Lodge No.1174 which was to sponsor the formation of the King Edward VII Lodge No.3252, consecrated on 30th October 1907 at Manor Road, Chatham.

Exactly 100 years later, on 30th October 2007, 128 Brethren gathered at Franklin Road, Gillingham to celebrate a century of Masonic history. The Worshipful Master, WBro David Hope welcomed into this very special meeting the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Michael Robin Bailey, accompanied by the Very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master, three Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, members of the Provincial Executive and the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Wardens.

 

The Provincial Grand Master addressed the assembled brethren on the origins of the Lodge, expressing delight that in 1925 the members displayed further wisdom and dedication by forming the King Edward VII Chapter. WBros R E Manington and B B Cleaves delivered a brief history of the Lodge, concluding that the founders of the Lodge, who's own vision and mission statement has borne fruit, in the one hundred years of continuous existence for the Lodge.

The Provincial Grand Chaplain, WBro Revd Ron Gamble then gave a very enlightening oration on the life of King Edward VII . The Worshipful Master presented the Provincial Grand Master with a donation of £5000 towards his Charity. Two additional donations of £2500 each, are to be presented to the Kent Air Ambulance Trust and the other to Demelza House Childrens Hospice.

 

The Centenary Warrant received by the Worshipful Master will not only serve as a constant reminder of this important milestone in the Lodge’s history, but will remind future generations of the hard work and effort given by so many members over the last one hundred years.

WBro Barry Cleaves

 

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