Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Districts and Councils Overseas
District Grand Council of Kent
News:
The Ashford Council 99 Welcome a New Member
Having been granted a special dispensation to change their meeting date the Ashford Council 99 met on Thursday the 29th August at the Masonic centre in North Street Ashford. The brethren of the council including the District Grand Prefect R. W. Bro Brian Ward were delighted to welcome the immediate Past District Grand Prefect R. W. Bro Peter Brockbank to the meeting who was kept company by his predecessor now the Past Deputy Grand Master R. W.Bro. Clive Manuel. A trio of District Grand Prefects all under the same roof. I wonder what the collective noun would be for that. A Dalliance, A Distinction or perhaps A Disruption, who knows.
The WM W. Bro.Roy Skelton, with Bro. Peter Walkden accompanied by R. W. Bros Peter Brockband and Clive Manuel and W. Bro Roger Odd
When the Worshipful Master. W. Bro Roy Skelton had opened the Council in the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr a memorial for M. W. Bro. Michael Edward Herbert was given by R. W. Bro. Clive Manuel.
The Worshipful Master, ably assisted by his officers then introduced, received and admitted Bro. Peter Walkden as a brother of St Lawrence the Martyr in an excellent manor. The lecture of the degree was then given by W. Bro. Roger Odd in his own unique and unscripted style. A master class in storytelling. The District Grand Prefect then welcomed Bro Peter into the Order and presented him with a Gridiron lapel pin to commemorate the degree, a welcome letter into the order, a trifold leaflet explaining the various degrees and of course an Allied pen.
The council was then adjourned in the degree of St Lawrence the Martyr before being opened in the degree of Knights of Constantinople. The Worshipful Master for the second time that evening undertook the ceremony of Knights of Constantinople to admit Bro. Peter Walkden into the degree. The W.M. was ably assisted by R. W. Bro Clive Manuel who undertook the office of Conductor and delivered the ritual with Shakespearian Aplomb! High drama abounded.
The District Grand Prefect R. W.Bro. Brian Ward welcomes Bro. Peter Walkden to the Order
The council was then resumed in the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr and the business of the council was attended to. During the risings the D.G.P. thanked the brethren of the council for their very generous sponsorship of £250 towards the Allied social event which took place on the 17th August and raised £2,080 for worthy causes.
Members of the Ashford Council with the guests and visitors
The council was then closed and the brethren retired to the bar for drinks and conversation before dining together at the festive board.
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