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Wouldn’t it be nice if…..? Those iconic words that four years ago were the
spark that resulted in the Consecration of the Sir Edward Elgar Lodge No. 9837
at the Winter Gardens in Margate on Friday 15th. February 2008. The 39
Founders have music in their soul and many are also involved in the East Kent
Provincial Choir which entertains us at Craft and Chapter Festivals.
Why call the Lodge after Sir Edward Elgar? The world of music is currently
celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth and he is considered by many
the quintessential English composer who has a connection with East Kent, as
his father was born in Dover. Sir Edward Elgar was born in Worcester where he
spent his early years before moving to London. Even those who do not consider
classical music amongst their interests will have heard of the Enigma
Variations and will recognise ‘Nimrod’ when performed and ‘Land of Hope and
Glory’ from the Pomp and Circumstance Marches.
Approximately 425 brethren attended the Consecration with 375 staying on for
the Banquet. The Consecration ceremony was conducted by the Provincial Grand
Master, the Rt. W Bro. Michael Robin Bailey assisted by the Provincial Senior
Grand Warden W Bro. Clive Manuel and Provincial Junior Grand Warden W Bro.
Nick Waller. The Provincial Grand Chaplin W Bro. Rev. Ronald Gamble conducted
the prayers throughout the ceremony and gave a splendid Oration.
The Primus Worshipful Master W Bro. Philippe Lacamp was installed by the
Deputy Provincial Grand Master V W Bro, Peter Brooshooft after which the
Immediate Past Master W Bro. Tony Eldridge was invested. The Worshipful Master
was then proclaimed three times by W Bro. John Grumbridge Assistant Provincial
Grand Master. Following this the Worshipful Master installed his Senior Warden
W Bro. Keith Sharp, his Junior Warden W Bro. Bill Regan and all his Officers.
The address to the Worshipful Master was delivered by W Bro. Pat Thomas
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, the address to the Wardens by W Bro.
Charles Boxer Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the address to the
Brethren by W Bro. Brian Powell Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
Needless to say such a splendid event takes extensive planning and rehearsal,
both by the Founders and the Consecrating Team. The Founding Steering
Committee consisted of W Bro. Philippe Lacamp, W Bro. Tony Eldridge, W Bro.
Bill Regan, W Bro. Tony Taylor and W. Bro. James Reuther. The Dining
Committee, who arranged the Banquet and produced the very comprehensive
seating plan, was spearheaded by W Bro. Ian Blowers and W Bro. Ian Tomlin. The
Consecration Booklet, designed by W Bro. Tony Eldridge and W Bro James Reuther,
was a Masonic ‘first’, containing as it did, both the Ceremonial Music
(naturally!) as well as the order of procedure.
The Consecrating Team was most ably dragooned by the Provincial Grand Director
of Ceremonies W Bro. Malcolm Brooks assisted by his two Provincial Deputy
Grand Directors of Ceremony W Bro. Roy Hartley and W Bro. Peter Hagger. The
Kings Hall had been transformed into the Lodge Room by the Provincial Grand
Tyler W Bro. Malcolm Cheeseman and his army of willing helpers and pressed
men.
It only remains to say that all this effort and industry made this rare and
historic day a thundering success. The consecration will be remembered by all
those present as a unique and colourful occasion, which illustrates most
clearly, the good health of freemasonry in our Province. We all wish the
members of this wonderful new Lodge every success and happiness for many years
to come.
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