News - Hartley Council extend a very warm welcome to the District Grand Prefect

On Saturday 30th May the brethren of the Hartley Council extended a very warm welcome to an unexpected visit from the District Grand Prefect R.W. Bro. Brian Ward. When the council had been opened by W. Bro. Tony Clayton who was standing in for the Worshipful Master W.Bro. Dennis Babbington Callon the District Grand Prefect was officially welcomed with salutations to which he responded with thanks.

The Lodge of St Lawrence the Martyr was adjourned and the lodge room prepared to conduct the ceremony of the Degree of Knights of Constantinople for Bros Ian Gallehawk and Rudi Degeest. It is worth noting that Rudi had travelled all the way from Belgium for this ceremony. The ceremony was delivered with skill and poise by W.Bro. Tony Clayton and the lecture was given by W.Bro. Phil Clare.

The Worshipful Master and the D.G.P with the Rudi and Didier who had travelled from Belgium to be at the meeting

The D.G.P. R.W.Bro. Brian Ward presents the Grand Council Certificate to Bro. Didier Hannaert

Following the ceremony the lodge resumed working in the degree of St Lawrence the Martyr. The District Grand Prefect was then invited to presented a Grand Council Certificate to Bro. Didier Hannaert which he willingly did. Let us also note that Didier had travelled all the way from Belgium for the meeting.

At the first lot of risings W.Bro. Phil Clare proposed that the £300 pledged by the DGP to each council should be given to the Wheelchair initiative instigated by V.W.Bro. Peter Wise. This was unanimously agreed by the brethren. Following on from this the District Grand Prefect reminded the brethren of the challenge he had set at the District meeting to admit fourteen new members before the next District meeting in February 2027. He also noted and congratulated the brethren concerning their impressive record of bringing new members into the order. He then gave the District social event planned for the 8th August in Folkestone a plug and asked the council to sponsor a race for £50 and buy six horses at £5 each. Needless to say, that he was delighted when the council agreed to his donate a total of £100.

The Worshipful Master and the D.G.P with the Bros Ian Gallehawk and Rudi Degeest who are now Knights of Constantinople

Members for the Hartley Council with the D.G.P

Having concluded all of the council business the lodge was then closed in due form. When photographs had been taken the brethren migrated to the bar for refreshments and conversation before making their way home following a long day of masonic meetings.

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