Executive Members in the Muck

Following the Provincial Grand Master’s Charity Awards at the Canterbury Oast Trust’s South of England Rare Breeds Centre at Highlands Farm, near Woodchurch, on Saturday 8 October, the assembled company enjoyed the first (and last?) East Kent Masonic Pig Race.

It was snouts away for the Grand National of the Pig world, and joining in the fun were volunteers who had attended the Awards ceremony. The object of the race was to guide the pigs around the assault course and back into the sty, the first piggy back inside the sty being the winner. These specially bred pigs are chosen carefully by the farm manager. They thrive on human contact and get very excited by crowd noise, so the crowds are encouraged to cheer their favourite pig. The louder you cheer the faster they run.

For this momentous occasion three East Kent pig race captains were appointed, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge, VWBro Roger Odd, the Deputy Grand Superintendent in charge, EComp Trevor Sidney Climpson and Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Brian Powell. Each contestant was allowed a younger and nimbler assistant to help guide the pigs around the course. During the race the three pigs appeared to be in charge and it was the captains and their helpers who needed guidance.

Although there is no report as to who won, an enjoyable time was had by the crowd, the contestants and the pigs.

See below for video