News - The Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 Installation Meeting

On Monday the 22 July 2024 the Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 held its Installation meeting at Masonic centre at Franklin Road, Gillingham. A total of thirty-six brethren, which included sixteen visitors, attended the meeting.

Sadly, the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Jake Jackson was unable to attend the meeting but being the great organiser that he is had previously arranged for W.Bro. Trevor Marley Sharpe to take over his duties for the evening. The Council was therefore opened in the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr by W.Bro. Trevor Marley Sharpe who ably assisted by his officers. The minutes of the previous meeting were then confirmed as a true record and the accounts for the year passed and adopted.

Members and Guests attending the Installation Meeting of the RAJW Council

The acting Worshipful Master. W. Bro Trevor Marley Sharpe, then installed W. Bro. Derek Wilkins into the chair of the Council in a most splendid manor. The Worshipful Master then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers for the year in a very competent manner.

Officers
	Senior Warden	W. Bro. Derek Green
	Junior Warden	R.W. Bro. Brian Ward
	Chaplain	W. Bro. Howard Pashley
	Treasurer	W. Bro. Colin Tunbridge
	Secretary	W. Bro. Lew Finnis
	D of C	W. Bro. Steve Davies
	Almoner	W. Bro. David Barden
	Senior Deacon	R.W. Bro. Geoff Whale
	Junior Deacon	W. Bro. Mike Plant (Absent)
	Asst. D of C	W. Bro. Peter Dowling
	Asst. Secretary	W. Bro. Mark Woolcott
	Organist	Vacant
	Inner Guard	W. Bro. Howard Doe
	Tyler	W. Bro. Roy Skelton

The Council was then adjourned so that the lodge room could be prepared for the ceremony of the Grand High Priests. The following officers from the Council were appointed to carry out the Degree of the Grand High Priest.

	E. Comp. David Green	Most Excellent President (1st Part)
	E. Comp. Howard Doe	Most Excellent President (2nd Part)
	E. Comp. Derek Wilkins	Vice President
	E. Comp. Mark Woolcott	Chaplain
	E. Comp. Steve Davis	Master of Ceremonies
	E. Comp. Brian Ward	Conductor
	E. Comp. Peter Dowling	Assistant Master of Ceremonies
	E. Comp. Geoff Whale	Herald
	E. Comp. Clive Manuel	Lecturer
	E. Comp. Roy Skelton	Sentinel

The convention of the Holy Order of the Grand High Priests was then opened by E. Comp David Green. The following candidates were then prepared to be Admitted, Anointed, Consecrated and Set Apart to the Office of Grand High Priest.

	Comp Christian Doll	Invicta Council 54
	Comp Shane Lawlor	Invicta Council 54
	Comp Peter Laker	Canterbury Council 65
	Comp Karl Bowman	Canterbury Council 65
	Comp Simon Norcott	Ashford Council 99
	Comp Nic Baker	White Cliffs of Dover Council 210
	Comp Ian Neve	Pride of Surrey Council 128 (District of Surrey)

Candidates for the Ceremony of the Grand High Priest. Bros. Neve, Lawlor, Doll, Bowman, Laker and Baker

Principle Officers and Candidates for the Grand High Priest Ceremony

E. Comp David Green then performed the first part of the ceremony in an exemplary manner, ably assisted by his officers, with Comp Christian Doll Invicta Council 54 acting as the lead candidate. Upon completion of the first part of the ceremony the tabernacle was rearranged to allow the second part of the ceremony to be undertaken.

The Principle Officers for the first part of the Grand High Priest Ceremony W.Bro Wilkins, Green and Woolcott

E. Comp Howard Doe, again ably assisted by his officers. then completed the ceremony in an exemplary manner with Comp Peter Laker Canterbury Council 65 acting as the lead candidate. The lecture was given in a faultless manner by E. Comp Clive Manuel before the convention of the Holy Order of Grand High Priests was closed. All of the candidates were congratulated by the District Grand Prefect, R.W. Bro Brian Ward and his Deputy W. Bro. Geoff Whale and by their Most Excellent Presidents, W. Bro David Green and Howard Doe.

The Principle Officers for the second part of the Grand High Priest Ceremony W.Bro Wilkins, Doe and Woolcott

Following the Ceremony, the room was restored to allow the business of the Council to be completed in the degree of St Lawrence the Martyr.

Following a notice of motion, it was proposed by W. Bro Lew Finns that W.Bro. Roger Odd be made an honorary member of the Council. This proposition was seconded by R.W. Bro Brian Ward and unanimously approved by the brethren of the Council. W.Bro. Roger thanked the brethren of the Council for this great honour.

During any other business the District Grand Prefect asked the brethren of the Council to support the social event being held on the 17th September in Folkestone. To his delight the Council voted overwhelmingly to support the event by sponsoring it for £150.

The Council was then closed in due form, and the brethren retired to the bar for refreshments and conversation. Thirty brethren then dined together at a very lively Festive Board before heading for home.

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