The annual meeting of the Royal and Select Masters District of Kent was held on Saturday 3rd October at Franklin Road Gillingham.
A bright and sunny day in Gillingham set the scene for what would be a fantastic meeting of the District of Kent.
As members and visitors started to arrive, it was evident that the Temple would be exceptionally well filled. With conversations flowing, not to mention the coffee and bacon rolls, it was soon time to head to the Temple for the District Meeting.
The Director of Ceremonies, Ill. Comp. Jason Cameron-Potter called the Companions to Order, to receive the Right Illustrious District Grand Master, R. Ill. Comp. Andrew John Dive. The District Grand Master then welcomed all of those present and opened District Grand Council.
The District Grand Master was pleased to welcome a very healthy contingent of visiting District Grand Masters, together with Deputy District Grand Masters, and many other Companions from visiting Districts. It was wonderful to see so many other Districts at the meeting to support the District Grand Master, and the Companions of Kent.
The District Grand Master was pleased to make re-appointments within District Grand Council, together with some new appointments. The recipients were congratulated with hearty applause from all those present.
The District Grand Master was also pleased to present certificates for the Silver Trowel to four recipients, who had all recently received the Silver Trowel.
Then followed the usual business of District Grand Council, before the District Grand Master addressed the Companions.
The District Grand Master thanked every member of the District for their support, both at District Grand Council, and within each and every council within the District of Kent. The success of the Councils, and indeed the Order in General, is down to the efforts of their members and the energy they put into the Ritual, and to making candidates welcome.
The District has seen steady growth over the past 12 months, and it would be especially pleasing to see more members join the Order within Kent. There is much to be done to promote the Royal and Select Masters within Kent, and this will be the focus of a dedicated team as we move forward into the next 12 months.
The District Grand Master thanked the Deputy District Grand Master and the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work for all of their support, especially over the past 12 months where there had been considerable change within the Executive of the District.
Following the address by the District Grand Master, those present gave a very warm round of applause, signalling that his message had clearly been well received, and that there was a bright future ahead for the District.
The District Grand Master then requested the District Grand Director of Ceremonies to escort Ill. Comp. Karl Bowman to him, where he then appointed him as the District Grand Communications Officer. This role had already been filled by Ill. Comp. Karl Bowman for the past two years, as an unofficial role, but the District Grand Master has now made it a non-collared official role, as it will play an important part of the recruitment and retention strategy for the District as we move in to the next phase of growth.
The District meeting was closed with solemn prayer, and the Companions then moved to the Dining Room for a fantastic Festive Board.
The District Grand Master was pleased to receive not one, but three bunches of flowers to take to his wife. Perhaps this signals a new tradition in the District.
As part of the District Grand Masters reply to the toast to Him, he was very pleased to make two donations. The First was for £500 towards the East Kent Freemasons Craft Charity, and the Second was also for £500 towards the West Kent Freemasons Craft Charty. These donations show the support of the Royal and Select Masters District of Kent for our Brethren in the Craft. The Craft is the foundation for all Freemasonry, without which there can be no progression to the Companion Orders.
Both recipients thanked the District Grand Master for the generous donations, and the support shown to both Kent Craft Provinces.