Held at Manor Road on Saturday 19th June 2010

The PGM welcomes the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress

Having given the Manor Road Centre a spring clean, the Chatham members proudly opened the doors and welcomed the public with great enthusiasm.

When the Provincial Grand Master, Michael Bailey, and his wife Sandra arrived, they both commented on how smart and inviting the building looked. Much thought had been given to planning the event and a number of brethren, assisted by Active Provincial Stewards, helped ensure that all visitors were properly greeted and escorted on their tour of the building. Various items of historic interest belonging to the Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity, No. 20, were put on display for the visitors' benefit.

The Deputy Mayor of Medway, Councillor Vaughan Hewett and his fiancée and Deputy Mayoress, Miss Jennifer Parkyn, made an official visit. They were greeted by the Provincial Grand Master who then formally declared the event open. The Deputy Mayor spoke highly about Freemasonry and was particularly impressed by the charitable work performed locally, particularly in respect of non-Masonic charities.

When the Deputy Mayor signed the Visitors' Book, he wrote "This has been an educational day, showing all the good work the members of Medway Lodges have done in the past and are currently undertaking in our society today. I am proud to have met such wonderful, modest and hard working members of society."

Among the other visitors was Bro. Ian Darnbrough from the Baildon Lodge, No. 1545, in the West Riding Province of Yorkshire, accompanied by Tracey Darnbrough, whose grandfather and uncle had been members of a Chatham Lodge many years ago. Having seen the Open Day advertised on the East Kent Provincial website, Bro. Ian drove from Yorkshire to attend the Open Day. They were not disappointed and spent much time finding out all they could about their family's connection with the Freemasons of Chatham.

Edward Rhodes: Master in 2040?

Young Edward Rhodes (pictured) is the son of W. Bro. Peter Rhodes, a Past Master and Director of Ceremonies of The Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity. He would seem to be following in his father's footsteps!

Many members of the public in attendance expressed considerable interest in the history of Freemasonry in the Chatham area and went home with a very positive view of Freemasonry.

See below for video.

The visitors are made welcome

A video of the event.

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