The evening of Tuesday 20th July 2021, the day after the lifting of the Local Suspension of masonic activities in Kent on 19th July 2021, two of our Lodges held Installation meetings.
Claiming the honour of being first back with a 6pm start was Chatham’s Richard Watts Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, who Installed W.Bro. David Pugh as Worshipful Commander. During the meeting Bro. Philip South was presented with his Royal Ark Mariner Grand Lodge certificate.
Two other presentations also took place, namely an MBF Grand Patron Diamond Award to the Lodge and a 40 Year Provincial Long Service Certificate* to W.Bro. Peter Williams. Both were kindly presented by W.Bro. David Stiff, who was at the meeting in a personal capacity.
Just half an hour later, Maidstone’s Robinson Lodge of Mark Master Masons resumed their activities with the Installation of W.Bro. Max Diessner, who immediately Advanced Darren Burch and Andrew Martin, two candidates who had been waiting patiently throughout the pandemic. Following their Advancement, they mentioned just how welcoming the Mark Degree is and can now see why it is called the friendly degree.
The Lodge was also presented with its MBF Grand Patron Diamond Award by W.Bro. Peter Hayler, who was there in a personal capacity.
*This is a new initiative, started in 2021, all members of the Province are eligible once they have the required length of service to either the Mark or R.A.M. degrees. The total length of service does not have to have been solely in Kent but to qualify an individual must be a subscribing member of a Kent unit on the anniversary date.