On Wednesday 4th June, the 2025 Provincial French Day Trip set out from Gillingham’s Franklin Road centre. The luxury coach called in at Folkestone, collecting more friends, en route to the nearby Le Shuttle terminal, before heading to France.
A total of 41 members of the Province, family and friends then made the short trip from Coquelles, through the verdant Pas-de-Calais, to Château des Tourelles, a beautiful 19th century building in the peaceful village of Le Wast, nestled on the Côte d’Opale.
Present in the happy party were Provincial Grand Master – Peter Williams, his wife Joan, Deputy Provincial Grand Master – Martyn Summers and Chair of the Kent Mark Benevolent Fund – Fred Brown. All of whom were treated to welcoming pre-lunch drinks and canapés on the chateau’s sun-drenched terrace, before they retired to the sumptuous restaurant for an excellent and relaxed 3 course luncheon complemented by a fine selection of wines. This was followed by coffee and concluded with a few words from Peter Williams, including thanks to Nic Baker and his team for organising such a wonderful day.
Due to gifts and a “favourable exchange rate” Nic was able to make a kind and well-received four-figure donation from the day the KMBF.
Event organiser, St. Peter-in-Thanet’s Nic Baker, told us, “The food was, as always, of the highest quality. This year we made a slight change and came home by ferry, so the drinks were flowing and the duty free rattling.”