News - A contingent from Kent visit the District of Thames Valley for their Annual Meeting

On Saturday 19th October 2024 the District Grand Prefect W. Bro Brian Ward accompanied the District Grand Secretary W. Bro Derek Wilkins left Folkestone at 6:30 am (it was dark and the stars were still shinning!) to attend the Thames Valley District annual meeting.

The first task of the day was to collect the Deputy District Grand Prefect W. Bro Geoff Whale from his home in Larkfield (it was still dark!). We then proceeded North for a trouble-free journey albeit that we travelled many miles at 50mph under the restrictions of average speed with not a workman to be seen. We arrived at Bletchley Masonic centre in daylight at just after 9:30am.

The travelling trio, Ward, Wilkins and Whale have arrived!

Welcome to Bletchley

As is typical of any Allied masonic meeting we received a very warm welcome from our hosts and were directed towards tea, coffee and biscuits. Whist enjoying these refreshments we were able to catch up with friends from other districts before.

The visiting D.G.P.’s and other dignitaries were then escorted into the temple and took their designated seats before the District Grand Prefect for Thames Valley R.W. Bro Bob Chevin was escorted into the temple by his team of District Grand Officers and received a rapturous welcome by one and all. The district meeting was then opened in due form and the guests and visitors were welcomed by the District Grand Prefect.

The Travelling Trio of Bros Ward, Wilkins and Whale all dressed and ready to go

The meeting proceeded like clockwork allowing the business of the day, including the investiture of his new team of District Officers to be completed most efficiently. The DGP then addressed his district before the council was closed in due form and the brethren retired to the bar for further refreshments before dining together at the festive board.

At approximately 3:00pm Brian, Geoff and Derek headed South for home. It should be noted that the drive home was extremely tense as the D.G.P. insisted on listening to live commentary of the Leicester versus Southampton football match. Despite his encouragement from afar Leicester ended the first half 2-0 down but thankfully Leicester rallied to win 3-2. A perfect end to the day.

After dropping Geoff off at Larkfield Brian and Derek headed back home to Folkestone in the dark!

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