Congratulations to our new Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent

The calling notices for Thursday’s Investiture meeting were termed ‘Special’ and how right that was. All of those attending would have enjoyed the pomp and ceremony of the annual Provincial Craft and RA Chapter Festivals.

However, few would have experienced the spectacle served up at the Winter Gardens, under the excellent direction of RWBro Jonathan Spence and the careful control of the Grand Director of Ceremonies, VWBro Oliver Lodge and his team from United Grand Lodge. We haven’t been served up such a treat since 2004 when Michael Robin Bailey was invested and are unlikely to witness another in this decade. Indeed, it was a privilege to be in attendance and to witness our Fraternity in all its pomp and glory, but, rightly, to observe a ceremony, appropriately lightened with a hint of humour.

It was a very special occasion, as our Province excelled, to the delight of a packed venue. This was rightly so, as our Geoffrey Gordon Dearing was invested, in a glittering, morning ceremony, as Grand Superintendent in and over East Kent. Then, after a highly-convivial and well attended luncheon, he was invested as Provincial Grand Master of East Kent. The day was very much a Kent affair, as Jonathan Spence reminded us that East Kent was his home Province. He is a member of Sir Joseph Williamson Lodge and of Pentangle Chapter, both meeting at Gundulph Square, Rochester.

In his addresses Geoffrey Dearing paid tribute to those who had worked to make the day such a success. For someone who had had such a gruelling and emotional day, he appeared relaxed and seemed to enjoy every minute, as his warm comments indicated. He acknowledged that he was not yet well known in every Centre in the Province and that he intends to put that right. Lodges are in for a treat, even if they have to exercise patience, given the many demands on his time. He stated how important it is for us to enjoy our Masonry; he certainly seems to! Apart from the many fortunate to be at the numerous meetings that our new Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent will be attending in the next few weeks, Provincial Officers will have had a chance to meet up with him again at the Provincial Officers’ Mess.

Provincial Grand Master Geoffrey Dearing with Deputy Grand Master Jonathan Spence

12 November 2011

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