News - The Installation Meeting of Invicta Council No. 54

On Monday 27th October 2025 the Invicta Council met at The Masonic Hall at Franklin Road Gillingham to hold their Installation meeting and to honour a senior member of their council, W. Bro. Howard Doe with a 50-year Certificate.

The Worshipful Master W. Bro. Bill Pennell having returned from a busy weekend in Leicester on other Masonic duties was eager to get started. Having opened the council in due form he was then delighted to welcome the representative of the District Grand Prefect W. Bro Derek Wilkins. Sadly the D.P.G. was engaged with other masonic duties preparing for the Grand Council meeting at Great Queen Street along with his fellow D.G.P.’s.

The Installing Master W.Bro. Bill Pennell congratulates the new Master W.Bro. Christian Doll

W.Bro. Derek Wilkins congratutates W.Bro. Christian Doll on being installed into the Chair

W. Bro. Bill then installed the new Master elect W. Bro. Christian Doll into the chair of the Invicta Council with flair and sincerity. W. Bro. Derek then congratulated W.Bro. Christian on being installed into the chair of the council and passed on the congratulation of the D.G.P. who could not be present. He then congratulated the installing Master W. Bro. Bill Pennell for a wonderful ceremony.

The Worshipful Master then invested his officers for the year with sincerity and enthusiasm before turning his attention to the business of the Council. Having competed this task with practiced efficiency the Worshipful Master then invited the W. Bro. Derek Wilkins to attend to the next item on the agenda which was to present a certificate marking 50 years of service to the Allied Masonic Degrees to W. Bro. Howard Doe. W.Bro. Derek who had known Howard for many a long year gave an insightful history of Howards masonic career before presenting him with his certificate along with the grateful thanks of the D.G.P and indeed all of the Allied Brethren on this wonderful achievement. In response W.Bro. Howard thanked Derek for a wonderful presentation remarking only that receiving a 50-year certificate did make him feel old.

W.Bro. Derek Wilkins presents W.Bro. Howard Doe with a Certificate marking 50 years of Service to the A.M.D.

The Assistant Secretary, who was standing in for W. Bro. Jason Cameron-Potter proposed that the council donate £50 to the District Grand Council. This proposal was duly seconded and passed by the brethren of the council. Bro. Derek gave thanks on behalf of the D.G.P. and assured the brethren that he would be absolutely delighted to receive this donation.

The Worshipful Master then considered any other business before he closed the Council in due form. The brethren then retired to the bar for refreshments before sharing a very enjoyable festive board together.

The Master W.Bro. Christian Doll with the brethren of the Invicta council and their visitors

Article by Derek Wilins

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