News - Nunn takes charge at Ashford

Ken Nunn, a man of maturing years, was installed as Worshipful Master at the Ashford Council No 99 on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 in a special, convivial ceremony by his great friend the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Roy Skelton, whom he had known for 38 years through Freemasonry - but never in the Allied Degree.

Present was the District Grand Prefect, R.W. Bro. Brian Ward, and the Past Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Clive Manuel, as the Ashford Council was their mother Allied Council. The District Grand Prefect had chosen the Meeting at the Ashford Council as his official visit to Council No 99 and he was accompanied by a large number of Active Officers of the District Grand Council. The meeting was finally brought to order by the Council Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Derek Wilkins, at 6.30pm - some fifteen minutes late as the clock in the Council room showed the time of 6.15pm, and it had not been noticed that the clock had stopped! The Acting Secretary suggested that all speed be given to every item of business to finish in good time in order to partake of the meal following the meeting.

After the Council was opened, the Acting Secretary, W. Bro. Steve Davies, gave the apologies for the absence of the Council Secretary, and explained that the minutes of the previous Council meeting of 29 April 2025 were therefore not available and would be presented at the next Council meeting in August.

Following a knock on the Council door, the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Jody Townsend, was admitted and announced that the District Grand Prefect was without and demanded admission. The District Grand Prefect was then admitted, escorted by a number of District Grand Council Officers. There was some hesitation as the District Grand Prefect wished to take the gavel in order to introduce his escorting Officers - as this was somewhat unusual in the Ashford Council. Salutations were then given to the District Grand Prefect.

At this point, W. Bro. Terry Dodd was asked to act as Senior Warden and the Master Elect gracefully “slid” off the Warden’s Chair in his enthusiasm to be installed!

At the commencement of the Installation ceremony, the Council Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Derek Wilkins, referred to the Worshipful Master Elect as “Bro Ken Dodd”, much to the amusement of the brethren present, and wondered who the “Diddymen” were at the meeting?

The Distrcit Grand Prefect, R.W.Bro Brian Ward with the installing Master W.Bro.Roy Skelton and the new Master W.Bro. Ken Nunn

The installing Master W. Bro. Roy Skelton congratulates the new Master W.Bro. Ken Nunn

Bro. Ken Nunn was then Installed into the Worshipful Master’s Chair by W.. Bro Roy Skelton in a delightful and sincere way and helped by the Council Officers. The Brethren below the rank of an Installed Master then greeted the new Worshipful Master under the direction of the Council’s Director of Ceremonies The Officers for the year were then appointed and invested as follows:

Officers
	Senior Warden	Jim Howard
	Junior Warden	Antony Bartlett
	Chaplain	David Waters
	Treasurer (elected)	Steve Davies
	Secretary	Chris Doll (to be invested at a later date)
	D of C	Derek Wilkins
	Senior Deacon	Ian Smith (to be invested at a later date)
	Asst. D of C	Peter Dowling
	Almoner	Peter Dowling
	Inner Guard	Patrick Langdown
	Senior Steward	Steve Davies
	Steward	Peter Walkden
	Steward	Keith Beavers
	Steward	Bob Hadlow
	Tyler	Lew Finnis

Members of the Escort with the installing Master and the newly installed Master

The new Worshipful Master was shown the Warrant of the Council and then presented with copies of the Constitutions and Regulations of the Order. The District Grand Prefect then congratulated W. Bro. Ken “Dodd” Nunn on behalf of everyone Present.

Under the Risings, a donation of £250 was approved to be given to the forthcoming Race Day on 2nd August at the home of the District Grand Prefect in Folkestone, who, in turn, thanked the Ashford Council and gave more information about the Event.

Members of the Ashford Council

Members of the Ashford Council with the District escort team and their other visitors

At the end of the meeting, the Acting Secretary then gave notice that a further donation be made at the next Council meeting to support the Grand Master’s Keystone Fund.

The Brethren then retired from this happy Council gathering to an excellent meal in super company.

Article by Roger Odd

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