Author: Admin

This is what happens when the DC gets a new app on his mobile.

A few covert images taken before and after the Lodge of Instruction meeting and a simple press of a button captured our Worshipful Master in pensive thought!

Which the Secretary thought was a remarkable likeness to Carl Frederickson in Up!

He then managed to capture both of our Wardens trying to find out the exact pronunciation of the second degree password!!

Worshipful Brother Neil Graham Marshall has the honour of being the only Master to have served two consecutive years in Agricola Lodge, due to the Corona Virus pandemic. He was installed in November 2019 and presided over two meeting before the Grand Master suspended all masonic meetings. He was then declared to serve a second year in October 2020 when we were able to meet under the rule of ‘six’.

During his two years it was only possible to complete two second degree ceremonies so it was only fitting that he should be in the ‘chair’ again for a third term. He will now be the only Master of Agricola Lodge to have his name on the honours board three times.

It was a doubly special evening at a recent meeting of Agricola Lodge at the Maidstone Masonic Centre.

The first special part of the meeting was shortly after the Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master, WBro. Dr. David Penman.  There was a report and the Deputy Provincial Director of Ceremonies, WBro. James Close, was admitted.  He announced that WBro. Duncan Rouse, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by a significant retinue of Active Provincial Grand Officers, stood without and demanded admission.  He was very well and warmly received by the Lodge members, guests, and visitors; an honour indeed to be visited by such a senior member of the Province.

The main business of the meeting was to Initiate two Candidates.  A double Initiation is special in itself but, add to that the fact that they were brothers AND that they were the sons of the Lodge’s ADC, WBro Ian Packer, and you get not just a double, but a very special double!  You’d think that was sufficiently amazing for the history books, but Dad himself then proceeded to take the Chair and Initiate both sons, Toby and Matthew!

And it being a special evening doesn’t end there, either, because before the Lodge was closed, WBro. Duncan Rouse, the AsstProvGM, rose to his feet and presented the Worshipful Master with a Platinum Certificate to mark the Lodge’s considerable support of the 2025 Festival, saying, “It is rare to be able to present this level of award and the Lodge’s exceptional endeavours are very gratefully acknowledged”.

So, a Double Initiation, which was doubly special as it was all about a father and his two sons, doubled with the special visit of an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, doubled up again with the presentation of a very special Platinum Award Certificate.  It was indeed a double-double special evening for Agricola!

Our latest member to join the Craft and our Lodge is Bro Martin O’Brien pictured below with the Master and members of the Lodge.

Of his experience so far, Bro Martin said, “It’s been an exciting journey! Following some introductory calls at the end of last year, I was asked to visit the lodge for a scheduled meeting with the officers. 
I was initially daunted by the prospect of meeting them all, but they made me feel welcome from the start.

My initial meeting at the lodge was pleasant with nothing out of the ordinary. I advised that at their next scheduled meeting they were going to take a vote, considering me as a future member.
I was delighted when, a few weeks later, I received a call advising I had been voted in to take my degrees in Masonry!
My initiation went well, and I really enjoyed it and I was assigned a mentor to guide me through the process and it’s been a great experience so far.
On Thursday the 27th October I am proud to say I was raised as a Master Mason. I now look forward to continuing my studies, learning more about the Craft, and the promises that brings.”

On Friday 27th January 2023, Agricola Lodge No 4501, marked 100 years as a lodge The members celebrated its Centenary Year with a special meeting, attended by The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Neil Hamilton Johnstone, together with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro Philip Neil South, and many members of the Provincial Executive.

In a packed lodge room, the brethren were entertained by the Worshipful Master as he recounted many attributes he had managed to research on the founders of the lodge.

RW Bro Neil Hamilton Johnstone, PGM, personally congratulates our newest member, Bro Mark Lillis on joining the fraternity.

After the meeting, the Brethren enjoyed a sumptuous meal with copious amounts of wine.

The 100th Installation Meeting of the Lodge, on Friday 25th November 2022, saw W Bro David Michael Kershaw, placed in the chair of King Solomon, by the Insatlling Master, W Bro Ian Richard Packer.

W Bro David, as ‘Grandfather’ of the lodge was delighted to be the Worshipful Master of Agricola during it’s Centenary Year, especially as just having celebrated his 50th year as a freemason.

Our meeting in January was not just a special meeting for our newest
initiate, but also for W Bro David Kershaw as he marked the day by reaching 50 years of service to the Craft.

He was presented with his Certificate by RW Bro Neil Hamilton Johnstone, PGM, amongst a throng of well-known brethren and fraternal friends.

The Festive Board was a themed ‘Burns Supper’ with haggis and bagpipes. The haggis was suitably addressed, and the initiate was serenaded with the ‘Entered Apprentice Song’.

The whole evening proved to be a most enjoyable event for all in attendance and a suitable precursor for the Lodge Centenary this time next year.

After 21 months of uncertainty due to the pandemic, we managed to install a new master. W Bro Neil Marshall installed the Master Elect, Bro Ian Packer, after two years in the chair.

Brother Ian, took to the ‘chair’ like a duck to water. He appointed and invested his officers magnificently, much to the delight of the 22 guests and visitors.

A great evening for the Lodge and all credit due to the hard work of the Past Masters of the Lodge.

Our next meeting on 28th January will be a milestone for one of our members, reaching 50 years in Freemasonry. It is expected that there will be many distinguished guests and visitors attending.

Under the ‘rule of six’ our meeting was nothing like ‘regular’. The Lodge was opened by our Worshipful Master and the business of the Lodge was conducted.

The Worshipful Master and Officers were voted to stay for another year in the hope of being able to return to normal activities soon. After the meeting, the ‘six’ enjoyed a drink and small bite before returning home to their loved ones.

With the news that all Lodge meeting are being suspended by the Most Worshipful Grand Master until such time as restrictions imposed by the Government are lifted, our Installation Meeting on 27th November will not happen. So it will be back to the virtual meetings on the now very popular ‘zoom’ application.

A return to normality will happen, but it will mean someone will have to redefine ‘Normal’!

Our next Regular Meeting of the lodge will be on Friday 23rd October at 6 pm.

ONLY six people are allowed in the meeting.

Contact the secretary if you wish to attend.

Please be assured that attendance at a Regular Meeting is entirely your own decision. There is absolutely no pressure on a member to attend a meeting.

Please note there will be no Festive Board afterwards.