News - Deputy District Grand Prefect drops in at No. 74

Brethren from the Hartley Council were delighted to welcome the Deputy District Grand Prefect for Kent W. Bro. Geoff Whale to their installation meeting at Sidcup on Saturday 30th March 2024.

W. Bro. Whale was accompanied by the Deputy District Grand Director of Ceremonies W. Bro. Michael Plant who ensured that order was maintained. It was also very pleasing to note that the Hartley council was also supported by three visitors from other councils in the district. These were W. Bros. Mark Woolcott (Assistant District Grand Secretary), Alan Coxon MBE (member of West Kent Council) and Bro Peter Hayler (member of Paddock Wood Council) who is the ever-present visitor in the district. It was also delightful to see that R. W. Bro Terry Bowler, Primus Master of the Council in 1972 and now an honorary member was in attendance.

Dep District Grand Prefect W. Bro. Geoff Whale with the Worshipful Master W.Bro. Phil Clare

Brethren of the White Cliffs of Dover Council with the District Escort and the Visitors

The main business of the day was to proclaim W. Bro. Phil Clare as Worshipful Master of the Council. This was done by the Immediate Past District Grand Prefect R.W. Bro Peter Brockbank. It is interesting to note that is will be the forty seventh time that Phil had been installed into a Masonic chair. The W.M then proceeded to install his officers for the year. These were as follows:

Officers
	Worshipful Master	W. Bro. Phil Clare
	Immediate Past Master	W. Bro. Les Smith (Acting)
	Senior Warden	Bro. Lee Curtis
	Junior Warden	Bro. Denis Babbington-Callnon
	Chaplain	W. Bro. Ian Tough
	Treasurer	W. Bro. Peter Wise
	Secretary	W. Bro. Paul Hutchinson
	D of C	R. W. Bro. Peter Brockbank
	Almoner	W. Bro. John Norton-Doyle
	Senior Deacon	Bro. Michael Gent
	Junior Deacon	Bro. Russel Hughes
	Asst. D of C	W. Bro. Alan Cook
	Asst. Sec	W. Bro. Tony Clayton
	Inner Guard	Bro. John Jerome
	Steward	Bro. Mark Estaugh
	Steward	Bro. Simon Donovan
	Steward	Bro. David Huntley
	Tyler	W. Bro. Scott Dunn

The Vistirs and Guests with W. Bro. Phil Clare the Worshiful Master of the Hartley Council

Visitors W.Bro. Mark Wollcott and Bro. Peter Hayler

Visitors W.Bro Alan Coxon MBE with Bro. Peter Hayler

During the risings the Dep District Grand Prefect announced that the district would be holding another social event on the 17th August in Folkestone and asked the Council to sponsor the event. It was unanimously agreed upon by the brethren of the council that they would sponsor the event with £80. This will entitle the council to name a race and six horses.

The council was then closed in due form before the brethren headed for home having enjoyed a delightful festive board together with members of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Order of the Secret Monitor prior to the meeting.

Article by Mark Woolcott

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