Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Districts and Councils Overseas
 District Grand Council of Kent buffer News:
The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66
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On Wednesday 18 October the District Grand Prefect, R.W. Bro. Brian Ward, accompanied by eleven active District Officers, together with Bro. Peter Hayler (the ever-present District visitor who acted as District Grand Sword Bearer in the escort.), made an official visit to the West Kent Council N0 66 for their installation meeting, all under the watchful eye of the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Jody Townsend.

 The District team comprised of W. Bro’s: Geoff Whale (Deputy District Grand Prefect), Tony Maslin (District Grand Junior Warden), Derek Wilkins (District Grand Secretary), David Barden (District Grand Treasurer Alan Coxon MBE (District Grand Senior Deacon), Ron Jakes (District Grand Junior Deacon), Paul Hutchinson (District Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies),Terry Dodd (District Grand Standard Beare), Mark Woolcott (District Grand Assistant Secretary) and Kevin Murphy (District Grand Tyler).

The council was opened by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro David Miller, ably assisted by the officers of the Council. The District Grand Director of Ceremonies was then admitted and informed informed the Council that the District Grand Prefect was outside to door of the Council and that he demanded admission. An escort was duly formed, and the District Grand Prefect was escorted into the Council with rapturous applause from the brethren. The District Grand Prefect accepted the gavel from the Worshipful Master and when seated was given the customary salutations by the brethren. The District Grand Prefect thanked the brethren for the warm and friendly Allied salutations and then took the opportunity to thank all his escort team individually before handing the gavel back to the Worship Master.

The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66 The DGP with his Escort

The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66 The DGP R.W.Bro Brian Ward with the Worshipful Master W. Bro Ray Johnson and the Installing Master W. Bro. David Miller

W. Bro David Miller then proceeded to install Bro. Raymond Reginald Johnson into the chair of St Lawrence the Martyr in a most sincere manner. The newly installed Worshipful Master, W. Bro Ray then appointed and invested his officers for the year in a very warm, friendly and sincere way. The officers for the year are listed below:

Officers
  Immediate Past Master W. Bro. David Miller
  Senior Warden Bro. Martin White-Peart
  Junior Warden Bro. Paul Gillingham
  Chaplain W. Bro. Paul Butler
  Treasurer W. Bro. Roger Croucher
  Secretary W. Bro. Mark Woolcott
  D of C W. Bro Perri Ahmet
  Almoner W. Bro. Steve Turner
  Senior Deacon Bro. John Jerome
  Junior Deacon W. Bro. Jody Townsend
  Asst. D of C W. Bro Archie Torrance
  Assistant Secretary R. W. Bro. David Viggers
  Inner Guard W. Bro. Jamie Allan
  Steward W. Bro. Alan Coxon M.B.E.
  Steward W. Bro. Kevin Murphy
  Tyler Vacant


The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66 The Brethren of the Council, October 2023

The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66 The Brethren of the Council with the Visitors, October 2023

It was then proposed by R. W. Bro David Viggers that the Council donate £50 to this year’s poppy appeal. This was duly seconded and carried unanimously by the brethren. There then followed an historic moment for the Council when the Worshipful Master was presented with a Grand Masters Key Stone Fund Award in the form of a jewel and a certificate by R. W. Bro Archie Torrance (President of the Mark Benevolent Fund). This was the very first time that. R.W. Bro. Archie had presented this 'certificate and jewel' so it was especially fitting that it was to his own Council. A separate article would be published on the website which would explain the Grand Masters Keystone Fund Award. The Worshipful Master accepted this award on behalf of the brethren of the West Kent Council.

The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66 Presentation of the Grand Masters Keystone Certificate to W.Bro Ray Johnson (W.M.) by W. Bro Archie Torrance with the DPG in attendance

The Council was then closed before the Worshipful Master accompanied by the District Grand Prefect and his escort retired from the Council, to congregate in the bar.

The brethren then dined together at the Festive Board where they enjoyed a delicious meal accompanied by lots of “background chatter and laughter” which was a sure sign of a happy occasion. Whilst replying to his toast, the District Grand Prefect thanked his escort team and congratulated the Council on their historic achievement, and for their warm welcome. He also urged the brethren to continue to try and visit other Councils in the District as many times es as possible. This would be the best way to enjoy the camaraderie which was so evident at Allied meetings.

Following many goodbyes to the brethren of the West Kent Council, the visitors to the Council and the District Officers, the District Grand Prefect reluctantly left the bar to return home.

 The District Grand Prefect and a full team of Active Officers visit West Kent Council 66 Brethren enjoying the Festive Board

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