Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Districts and Councils Overseas
District Grand Council of Kent
News:
Our Deputy represents Kent at Sussex
On Saturday 21st March our intrepid Deputy D.G.P. W. Bro. Geoff Whale met up with the Dep. D.G.P. for Surrey, W. Bro. Bob Tuthill, in order to travel together for the annual Sussex District Grand Council meeting at Peacehaven.
En-route they picked up the Deputy District Grand Prefect W.Bro. Geoff Whale and Bro. Peter Hayler and last of all W.Bro. Tony Maslin. Thankfully the M25 and the Dartford crossing proved to be trouble free and at just after 09:30am they arrived at the Masonic Hall in Braintree. A new venue for this district meeting. Having been welcomed by their hosts they headed to the bar for bacon butties, coffee and conversation.
D.G.P for Sussex R.W.Bro. Gene Earland with his Deputy and the Deputy for Kent W.Bro. Geoff Whale
Deputy Grand Master R.W.Bro. Colin Woodcock with the D.G.P. for Sussex R.W.Bro. Gene Earland
After the usual bacon butties and coffee before the meeting, as well as catching up with many friends from other Districts, the Deputy took his seat in the temple and after Opening, R. W. Bro. Gene Earland, was saluted, as were the other D.G.P.’s. Immediately after that the A.G.D.C. reported that the Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Colin Woodcock, was outside, and demanded admission to the District Grand Council. He was warmly and graciously welcomed by the D.G.P. and saluted with nine.
After honouring those members who had passed to higher service the D.G.P. introduced visiting D.G.P.’s and Heads of other Orders, who were visiting ‘Sunny Sussex by the Sea’. He described himself as the ‘Queen Bee’ and proceeded to introduce the other D.G.P.’s as Queen this, that, or the other to the great amusement of all those attending.
The list of Officers appointed for the year was read, and the D.G.P. started by re-appointing his Dep.D.G.P., W.Bro. Ivor Bennett, to acclamation. After the Investiture a number of administrative items were dealt with efficiency, and then the D.G.P. stood to address the Brethren. During his address he informed the brethren that this would be his last annual meeting as their D.G.P., and he would be standing down before the next annual meeting. Many were rather surprised by this news, but Gene explained that he was now eighty and had served as their D.G.P. for seven years.
DGP's attending the Sussex Meeting
D.G.P for Sussex R.W.Bro. Gene Earland with his active officers for the year
Photographs were taken after the meeting had ended and the Brethren enjoyed a pre-lunch drink before the festive board.
Article by Geoff Whale, Photographs by Bob Tuthill
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