News - A Day at the Seaside

On Saturday 25th October the District Grand Prefect R.W.Bro. Brian Ward was rudely awoken by his alarm clock at 3:30 and although expected it still came as a shock. Any temptation to hit the snooze button was strongly discouraged by his long-suffering wife Toni who very curtly told him to leave the matrimonial bed and try to be quiet while doing so.

Having showered and shaved (very carefully) and eaten breakfast he was driven to the station by Toni to catch the 5:08 train from Folkestone. The final destination being Lowestoft where he was attending the East Anglia Allied Masonic Annual District meeting presided over by R.W.Bro. Geoff Keer the D.G.P for East Anglia.

The journey involved four changes of trains but he eventually arrived on time to a wet, gloomy and overcast morning in Lowestoft. A short taxi ride from the station brought him to the masonic centre where he was warmly welcomed and directed to where tea and bacon rolls were being served. An excellent pick-me-up to revive anyone’s spirits after a long lonely journey.

The brethren of the district assembled in the temple at 10:45 and welcomed the various processions of guests and visitors culminating with the procession for the District Grand Prefect R.W.Bro. Geoff Keer who accompanied by his officers for the year. The lodge was duly opened and a warm welcome was given to all the visiting D.G.P.’s, heads of orders from the area and finally the visitors.

The D.G.P. from East Anglia R.W.Bro. Geoff Keer welcomes the D.G.P. from Kent R.W.Bro. Brian Ward

The usual business of the meeting was attended in a very efficient manner before the D.G.P. was delighted to invest his new Deputy D.G.P., W.Bro. Ken Fox who received the customary solutions from the brethren. The D.G.P. then went on to invest his officers for the year again in a most efficient manner before addressing the brethren. Prior to closing the meeting, the D.G.P. requested that the District Grand D.C. bring W.Bro. Roy Woodhouse to the podium. The D.G.P. then announced to the assembled brethren that Roy had reached his 100th birthday was delighted to confer on him a field promotion to P.D.G.S.W. The D.G.P. then mentioned that Roy is still a regular attendee at Allied meetings and when called upon can still deliver ritual to a very high standard. What an example to us all. The brethren then sang Happy Birthday to him after which Roy thanked everyone most sincerely.

A Pride of Prefects with the D.G.P. for East Anglia R.W.Bro. Geoff Keer

The lodge was then closed, and the brethren retired to bar for refreshments before enjoying the famous fish and chips lunch together at the festive board. The journey home for the D.G.P was long but uneventful apart from the crushing disappointment of Leicester City losing 1-0 to Hull.

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