News

We at the lodge have been very fortunate to attract 4 new initiates this year – all have been made Entered Apprentices and are keen to further their masonic knowledge by attending Lodges of Instruction and rehearsal.

From left to right:
Bro Richardson, Bro Murphy, WM Peter Swinbourne, Bro Blythe, Bro Burton

The Worshipful Master WB Peter Swinbourne has been ably assisted in the ceremonies by WB Adrian Keep, WB Ray Hubbard and WB Tony Eldridge – plus the rest of the floor officers.

Well done to everyone – we are planning another initiate for September!

Worshipful Brother Gerald Lee presents Worshipful Brother Pat Todd with a cheque for £500 to go towards supporting the Masonic Fishing Charity.

“The Masonic Fishing Charity’s aim is to bring an interactive fishing and countryside experience to people with special needs”.

It achieves this by running fishing events, both coarse and fly and inviting participants with special needs to come and join in. This includes anyone over 11 with mental or physical disabilities, the disadvantaged or those who have suffered trauma.

We hope to ‘Catch The Smile’ along the way.

The Charity provides:

• A fisherman or helper for every participant usually on a one-to-one basis.
• Lunch is provided for all participants, helpers and fishermen and usually consists of barbecued burgers, sausages and maybe some fresh trout at fly fishing events!
• A ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for all participants.
• Medals for Biggest Fish, Best Caster, Best Retriever etc., are also often awarded.
• Participating organisations or individuals are provided with Risk Assessments and Health & Safety Instructions
• Health and safety instruction is given to all helpers and fishermen.
• Some game fish caught may be kept by the participants.
• Qualified first aider always on hand.

Worshipful Master, W Bro Ian Gilmour (R) and Lodge Charity Steward, W Bro Revd Grahame Whittlesea (C), accompanying W Bro Tony Eldridge (L) who proposed a donation of £1000 to Cardiac Risk in the Young, seconded by Bro David Ball, in memory of Tonbridge Angels U-18 Footballer, Jack Maddams who died in his sleep, aged 17, and much respected senior past master W Bro Philippe Lacamp who died of a sudden heart attack at the end of 2018.

Our donation will go towards screening programmes for young people in East Kent. Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.

CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected. Roger Maddams, Jack’s father, who works hard to promote the work of CRY said: “of the 100 or so screened locally earlier this year, 10 were referred for further examination so that something can be done about whatever strand of heart condition is at question.”

The Lodge is proud to support this work and appreciated receiving letters of thanks from Roger Maddams, and CRY Chief Executive Dr Steven Cox.

For the first time in recent years the United Industrious Lodge 31 celebrated the Scottish poet Robert Burns in glorious style.

The menu of Scotch Broth soup, followed by Haggis, neeps and tats, then in a break from tradition – a full roast beef course, then dessert, biscuits and cheese and coffee.

The speeches were delivered in great style by our piper and W Bro Roger Gabriel. With W Bro Gerald Lee as toast master and chief.

Over £200 was raised for charity.

Well done and thank you to all who attended. – see you next year?

The 4th October saw the installation of Brother Ian Gilmour into the chair of King Solomon in due and ancient form by WB Adrian Keep.

The evening was very well attended and all present witnessed an excellent display by the officier’s and brethren of Lodge 31.

Special thanks to WB Adrian Keep for his excellent work in the temple and to WB Tony Eldridge and WB Ray Hubbard for their addresses to the brethren and wardens.

May saw the end of this years season, and a number of brethren went out for for a celebratory meal after the LoR.  A great time was had by all!!

In May the Association of Atholl Lodges helped to organise an event to celebrate the history of the six Atholl Lodges within in Kent, the Garden of England County.

It was hosted by United Industrious Lodge No.31 at the Canterbury Masonic Centre in the heart of the city.  The Association were honoured by the presence of W. Bro Mark Bassant AGM in the Province of East Kent and W. Bro Mark Eyles-Thomas DPGM in the Province of West Kent.

We were also honoured by the presence of many Grand and Provincial Officers and welcomed representatives and visitors from each of the six Kent Atholl Lodges.  The Association Banner Party ceremonially paraded into the Lodge dressed in traditional tricorn hats and white bibs and the Banner was presented to the Worshipful Master.

During the meeting an address was given by the Association Chairman W.Bro. Geoffrey Abraham, on the history of Atholl Lodges followed by the Worshipful Master receiving an engraved Association gavel.

Then followed the presentation of a cheque from the Association to the Kent Library & Museum of Freemasonry, this was to mark their new temporary exhibition showcasing Atholl Freemasonry in Kent.

The evening was completed with a splendid Festive Board.