On Wednesday 8th December 2021 at The Gravesend Masonic Centre, The Lodge of Sympathy of Mark Master Masons held its 50th Anniversary Meeting.
A strong contingent of ten Active Provincial Officers headed by W.Bro. Perri Ahmet, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, was in attendance to help the Lodge celebrate its Golden Anniversary.
After the regular business of the Lodge, and before a sumptuous celebratory Festive Board, the Secretary, W.Bro. Pete Hargreaves delivered a fascinating potted history of the Lodge which was Consecrated by RW.Bro. Sir Eric Studd, Bt, O.B.E. Prov.G.M. on Wednesday 22nd September 1971.
The first Master, C.J. Sutton P.G.D. P.Prov.G.M.O., was Installed by RW.Bro. F.W. Friday Dep.Prov.G.M. at the Consecration where there were 59 names in the signature book. It is recorded that the charity box raised the sum of £7.35p.
The minutes show that at the second regular meeting on 8th December 1971 four candidates were balloted for, two Advanced and ten further names were read out as propositions for Advancement.
It is not known what the subs were initially, but on 11th June 1975, just over three years after the Lodge was founded, the Treasurer W.Bro. Hill proposed an increase to £5.00.
To mark its 50th Anniversary the Lodge commissioned special cufflinks which were kindly presented to everyone attending the meeting.