Latest News – Page 3 – Agricola Lodge No 4501

27th November 201710th January 2018

Installation Meeting 2017

Agricola Lodge No 4501 has a new Worshipful Master!

WM with IPM — Our new WM (L) with his IPM

At our installation meeting on Friday 24th November 2017, Paul Constable was installed into the Chair of the Lodge as it’s 96th Worshipful Master. The ceremony being expertly carried out by his predecessor Neil Sadler.

Paul is one of a very select group of Masons who have served as Master of Agricola 4501 on more than one occasion. Aged 67, Paul is a retired IT professional and former Royal Navy seaman. He lives in Tunbridge Wells with his wife Lin, and has been a member of the Lodge since 2004.

Our new WM with the PGM’s Representative and some of the Grand Officers

Every Installation meeting in East Kent is attended by a senior member of the Province, representing the Provincial Grand Master. On this occasion we were pleased to welcome Provincial Junior Grand Warden, Martyn Summers.

We were also pleased to welcome 24 other guests and visitors. This number included the Masters of Duke of Kent, Monckton and Malling Centenary Lodges who assisted during the ceremony.

Following the appointment and investiture of the new Master’s team of Officers, the Brethren approved donations to the following Charities….

The Kent Museum of Freemasonry

Teddies for Loving Care

Demelza Hospice Care for Children

The Masonic Fishing Charity

The formal work of the Lodge being complete, members, guests and visitors repaired to the dining room where they enjoyed a sumptuous meal of Farmhouse Pate, followed by Roast Lamb, a dessert of Baked Apple, and the usual Cheeseboard, Coffee and mints!

During his response to the Toast to the Provincial Officers, Martyn Summers thanked the Lodge members for their warm welcome, and conveyed to the new Worshipful Master the personal congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Geoffrey Dearing.

Master and Wardens — Our New WM with his Wardens

After the meal a raffle organised by new Charity Steward Jim de Save raised the magnificent sum of over £325.00 which was donated to the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity

Agricola Lodge No 4501, traditionally ends the Festive Board with the Tyler’s Toast which guides our thoughts to those of our Brethren who might be in “….distressed circumstances”. This having been completed, the Brethren departed, eagerly looking forward to a new Masonic year.

13th November 201710th January 2018

Remembrance Day Parade 2017

Members of Agricola Lodge No 4501 were amongst a contingent of almost 40 Maidstone Freemasons who took part in this year’s annual Remembrance Day Parade in Maidstone Town Centre on Sunday 12th November.

Remembrance Day 2017 — Maidstone Masons pay tribute to the fallen

They joined members of HM Armed Forces, Reservists, Armed Forces Veterans, Community Groups and Youth Organisations from across the area to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Two World Wars as well as those killed or injured in more recent conflicts.

The Banner on display this year was that of Maidstone’s oldest Lodge, Belvidere No 503

The parade began at 10:30 am in Week Street, passing along the High Street and past the Town Hall, before arriving at the War Memorial in the Broadway.

The Service of Remembrance included the national two minutes silence at 11am and the laying of wreaths in memory of the fallen.

A wreath on behalf of all Maidstone Freemasons, was laid by Belvidere’s newest member Bro. Chris Took.

Maidstone’s Freemasons are traditionally strong supporters of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal with many acting as Poppy sellers and collectors for the Charity.

Agricola‘s current Worshipful Master Neil Sadler said…

“We are honoured and proud to take part in this annual Act of Remembrance for those who gave their lives in the defence of Freedom. We urge all our members to support the work of the Royal British Legion and other Forces Charities in caring for and supporting servicemen and their families, all of whom have given so much in the service of our country.”

29th October 201718th November 2017

October 2017 – A very special visitor!

Our October 2017 meeting saw the Worshipful Master, Neil Sadler welcome a most special and distinguished guest in the person of Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Roger Odd. The purpose of Roger’s visit was to present Agricola Lodge with a splendid pair of stone Ashlars in recognition of the Lodge’s gererous support of the Province of East Kent’s Tercentenary Appeal.

In 2016, to celebrate 300 years since the founding of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the Masonic Provinces of East Kent, West Kent, Surrey and Sussex came together to launch an appeal in aid of restoration works at Canterbury Cathedral. The result was that over £300,000 was raised to fund important repairs to, and restoration of, the stonework in the NW Transept Tower of the Cathedral.

Ashlars have a symbolic importance in Freemasonry; as the Stonemason’s transformation of the “Rough” ashlar into the “Perfect” cube of the dressed stone, is taken as a metaphor for the process which we refer to as “making good men better.” These presentation Ashlars are made from the same Caen Limestone with which Canterbury Cathedral is faced. They feature the Square and Compasses logo of UGLE on the front and our Lodge number, 4501 on the reverse.

Neil Sadler with Roger Odd — WM Neil Sadler (L) receives the Ashlars from Roger Odd

During his talk Roger described how Kent Freemasonry’s close and valued relationship with the Cathedral began over 150 years ago. He passed on the thanks of both the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Dr. Robert Willis, and The Provincial Grand Master of East Kent, Geoffrey Dearing.

This meeting also saw the presentation of a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Peter Jacobs by Agricola’s own Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Roger Waltham. A Grand Lodge Certificate is presented to every Freemason on completion of the Three Degrees, at which point he becomes a Master Mason.

This evening also saw the election of our Master Elect, Paul Constable. Paul will be installed into the Worshipful Master’s Chair at our Installation meeting on 24th November 2017. Full details and booking facilities are available in the Events section of this site.

As usual, the formal part of the meeting was followed by our excellent Festive Board, the highlight of which was a rather splendid Steak and Ale Pie!…

Report: Richard Carney

Photos: Neil Marshall