The suspension of all Masonic activity due to Coronavirus has caused considerable disruption to our Freemasonry and is likely to do so for the foreseeable future, so I wanted to bring to your notice a number of relevant developments.

1. The Provincial Office.

As you might expect, the Provincial Office has received many enquiries regarding meetings for election and Installation purposes, ballots to invoke R181, when Lodges and Chapters can next meet, etc. Further guidance is anticipated from United Grand Lodge (UGLE) and Supreme Grand Chapter (SGC) is expected shortly, which will be forwarded to you upon receipt.

Oakley House is in lockdown and the Provincial Office has had to implement its contingency planning arrangements, with the Provincial Secretary and Assistant Secretary working remotely. I would ask that ALL enquiries be made by email as existing telephone arrangements cannot be transferred.

Given the above, enquiries and replies will inevitably take longer to process, and I ask for your patience in this respect. I would also ask that you refrain from posting documentation to the Provincial Office as it will not be dealt with until Oakley House has re-opened.

2. Forthcoming Provincial events.

I can confirm that all forthcoming Provincial events, including Provincial Grand Lodge on 5 May, the Provincial Service of Thanksgiving on 17 May and their associated lunches have regrettably had to be postponed.

Peter Sawyer, Provincial Grand Treasurer, will be issuing full a refund of all monies paid to date, once the dining spreadsheets have been reconciled. Those that have paid by cheque (unless advised otherwise) will have their cheques destroyed.

I would be grateful if those that have paid by BACS could contact Peter by email at petesawyer@btopenworld.com with “PGL refund” or “Church Service refund” as a reference, with Account Name, Sort Code, Account Number and the amount paid, so that a refund can be arranged.

3. Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter meetings – 2020.

The Active Officers who were appointed in May 2019 have received an Active Jewel of Office – this should be retained at present and they will be advised when to return them to the Provincial Office. Announcements regarding those to be appointed or promoted in the Royal Arch this year will be made in due course.

The Province of West Kent is obliged to hold a Craft Provincial meeting each year, so that the necessary votes, resolutions and business can be undertaken. Consideration is being given to holding such a meeting locally when appropriate – without a Festive Board – to which we will only encourage the requisite number of active Provincial Officers to attend, for the sake of expediency. A similar meeting will be held for Provincial Grand Chapter, to deal with the necessary administration for that Order.

Assuming we can reconvene our Masonic activity later this year, the Provincial Grand Master / Grand Superintendent is considering holding a special Provincial event on 13 November at Great Queen Street – the date currently scheduled for Provincial Grand Chapter. This meeting will be open to our friends and family and will combine the Annual Investiture for the Royal Arch in the morning and, following lunch, the Annual Investiture for the Craft. Further information will be forthcoming as soon as definitive arrangements can be confirmed.

4. Craft and Royal Arch Grand Ranks.
The Provincial Grand Master is delighted to announce that the MW The Grand Master and First Principal has been pleased to make the following Appointments, Re-Appointments and Promotions in the Craft and Royal Arch for the following members of the Province:-
CRAFT – FIRST APPOINTMENTSRobert Gregory TUTHILL AGStB (active rank)
Colin HOLLAND PJGD
David Peter BARDEN PAGDC
Peter Christopher BROCKBANK PAGDC
Colin Paul TUNBRIDGE PAGDC
Peter John WISE PAGDC
Alan Trevor GAYWOOD PGStB
Duncan Trevor ANNELLS PAGStB
Peter John Carey BROOKER PAGStB
Stuart DARBY PAGStB
Binoy KARIA PAGStB

 

CRAFT – PROMOTIONS

James Henry NEWMAN, OBE PJGW
David Charles WATSON PSGD
David Alfred HUNTLEY PAGDC
CRAFT – RE-APPOINTMENTS
Peter Geoffrey LOWNDES ProGM
James Henry NEWMAN, OBE DepPresMCF

 

ROYAL ARCH – FIRST APPOINTMENTS

Paul Stephen CHRISTOPHER PGStB
Mark Robert Jason EYLES-THOMAS PGStB
Alan Trevor GAYWOOD PGStB
Michael James PAGE PGStB
Anthony David George HARVEY PAGDC
Alan WONDZINSKI PAGDC

ROYAL ARCH PROMOTIONS

Graham RAVEN PGStB

I’m sure that you will join me in congratulating the above recipients and trust that the above information is of assistance.

Brethren and Companions, I wish you and your families the best of health, especially during these difficult times. I very much look forward to being able to meet up with you (hopefully) in the not too distant future.

Yours Sincerely and fraternally,

Paul Christopher – Provincial Grand Secretary/ Scribe E