News - A Double for the Ashford Council 99

Tuesday 29th April turned out to be an historic evening for the Ashford Council 99. It had been a long time since the Council had admitted, received and introduced two new members to the degree of St. Lawrence the Martyr, namely Bros. Keith Beavers and Bob Hadlow.

A total of nineteen brethren attended the meeting held at the North Street Masonic Hall in Ashford, of which three were visitors, namely W. Bro. Lew Finnis and Bros. Peter Hayler and Steve Hyland.

Having opened the lodge in due form, the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Roy Skelton, then admitted, received and introduced Bro. Bob Hadlow into the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr with piece of near perfect ritual. Having done this once, he then went on to repeat it again with another faultless ceremony for Bro. Keith Beavers. In both ceremonies he was ably assisted by 2 of our ever-present visitors W. Bro. Lew Finnis who acted as Tyler and Bro. Peter Hayler who acted as Inner Guard. To complete this ceremony an extended and informative lecture was then delivered by “the one and only” W. Bro. Roger Odd which was well received by both the candidates and the brethren alike.

W.Bro. Roy Skelton (WM) and W.Bro. Roger Odd (Lecture) with Bros. Bob Hadlow and Keith Beavers

The Worshipful Master W.Bro. Roy Skelton with Bros. Bob Hadlow and Keith Beavers

The Distrcit Grand Prefect R.W.Bro Brian Ward with Bros Bob Hadlow and Keith Beavers

Following the ceremony, the District Grand Prefect, R.W. Bro. Brian Ward, welcomed Bros. Bob and Keith into the order and presented them each with an Allied tie (a gift from their proposer and seconder). In addition to this they were also presented with a Grid Iron Lapel pin and an Allied Degree pen (A legacy from the Past District Grand Prefect, R.W. Bro. Peter Brockbank).

During the risings the District Grand Prefect asked the Council to sponsor the planned social event that will be held on the 2nd August at his home in Folkestone. A notice of motion was duly given and this would be voted on at the next regular meeting.

Members of the Ashford Council with their newly admitted brethren

Members of the Ashford Council with their guests and visitors

Having completed the rest of the business of the Council, the Worshipful Master then closed the Council in due form before the brethren retired to the bar for refreshments. Following those refreshments, the brethren then went on to dine together and enjoy a very tasty festive board. After which R.W. Bro. Clive Manuel proposed a very hearty and sincere toast to Bros. Bob and Keith and welcomed them into the Ashford Council. The new Brethren both responded with thanks stating it had been a very special evening!

Article by W. Bro. Roger Odd

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