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Friday 18th April was not a good day to be at sea off the north Kent
coast. High tides and very strong winds combined to create an angry and
confused sea, which at the top of the tide came crashing along the
promenade in front of the Winter Gardens, covering all the cars in a
heavy salt spray.
Inside the Winter Gardens, however, it was all peace and happiness as
the Provincial Director of Ceremonies and his Deputies arranged the
various processions.
First came 63 Grand Officers. Next was the Distinguished Guests
Procession, consisting of nearly 50 distinguished visitors from the
Masonic Provinces of Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Hertfordshire,
Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, Essex, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle
of Wight, Buckinghamshire, and of course West Kent, and WBro C J Caine
PSGD representing the RMBI.
Escorting RWBro John Bonomy OBE PPGM in the Past Provincial Grand
Master's Procession were Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters VWBro Roy
Williams PGSwdB and VWBro Russell Race PJGW DMGM and Past Assistant
Provincial Grand Masters WBro Brian Dale PSGD, WBro Graham Smith PSGD,
and WBro Reg Walter PSGD.
Then came the Provincial Grand Master's Procession, consisting of an
escort of 42 Brethren including the Provincial Executive, the outgoing
Board of Provincial Grand Stewards and the Provincial Senior and Junior
Grand Wardens, followed by the four Assistant Provincial Grand Masters
(namely WBro Brian Powell PAGDC, WBro Charles Boxer PSGD, WBro Pat
Thomas PSGD, and WBro John Grumbridge PSGD) and the Deputy Provincial
Grand Master VWBro Peter Brooshooft PGSwdB. Finally, led by the
Provincial Grand Sword Bearer WBro Peter McIntyre with sword at the
carry, and with the Provincial Standards (carried by Provincial Grand
Standard Bearers WBros Godding and Swinerd [acting]) and the Provincial
Director of Ceremonies WBro Malcolm Brooks PAGDC immediately behind him,
came the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Michael Bailey.
It was a most impressive start to the proceedings, and the colourfully
elegant processions were greeted with warm and sincere applause by all
present. Almost 1,000 Brethren made the journey to Margate for the
meeting - the highest attendance for many years - which is around twelve
and a half per cent of the membership of the Province. A splendid
turn-out by any standard, and a level of support of which the Province
can be justly very proud.
Following a beautiful rendition of "Be Still My Soul" (Sibelius -
Finlandia) by the Provincial choir, the Provincial Grand Lodge was
opened in due form, and the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was
saluted. The Distinguished Guests were welcomed, and the minutes of the
2007 Provincial Meeting were confirmed. A number of items of business
were dealt with.
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Assistant Provincial Grand
Masters were re-appointed, and the Provincial Grand Master went on to
appoint and invest the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers for the
year, who were afterwards saluted by the Brethren.
Special presentations were then made by RWBro Bailey in recognition of
long and loyal service to Freemasonry in East Kent to the following
Brethren:
WBro Francis William David Cann, PPrGReg, Romney Marsh Lodge No. 4743
WBro James Anthony Martin, PPrJGW, Windmill Lodge No. 8683
WBro Peter Frederick Wiggins, PPrGSuptWks, Martello Lodge No. 8712
The Provincial Grand Master next gave a thoroughly interesting and
informative address to the Brethren, after which a collection for alms
was made, and the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed.
Next came a very special addition to the agenda for the day. Two
representatives of the University of Kent were escorted into the hall,
and the Provincial Grand Master, on behalf of the Freemasons Grand
Charity, presented them with a cheque for the magnificent sum of £56,500
to assist in the funding of some unique research into effective
treatment for adult leukaemia. Click here for more information
The Provincial Grand Master then presented a cheque on behalf of the
Brethren of the Province of East Kent to RWBro J Winpenny the Provincial
Grand Master of West Kent for £5,000.00 for their Demelza House Appeal,
which was very well received.
The outgoing Procession was accompanied by boisterous singing by the
Brethren of Land of Hope and Glory.
Following the hosting of a most companionable reception for the
Distinguished Guests, the Provincial Grand Master and his Executive
managed to spend some informal time with the Brethren at the bar, before
everyone was called to the dining hall for the after proceedings.
The Provincial choir was again called into action to lead the singing of
Grace, and nearly 550 diners enjoyed an excellent meal served with their
usual efficiency by the Winter Gardens Team, after which the choir
entertained the Brethren for a while longer. Having delighted in VWBro
Brooshooft's toast to the Provincial Grand Master and RWBro Bailey's
response, the Brethren finally braved the elements outside and made
their way home, all having been wished a personal and very cordial
"farewell" at the door by the Provincial Grand Master, his Deputy, and
his Assistants.
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