Maidstone – Page 2 – 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.”

12th November 201710th January 2018

Our Charities: Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity

Agricola Lodge No. 4501 is pleased to be a supporter of the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity (CEKFC). This is our own Province’s local organization for providing assistance and support to a wide range of Charities, Community Groups and individuals here in East Kent.

CEKFC – Caring for Kent

The Charity’s declared aim is

“…to invest in a brighter future, by assisting the vulnerable, and funding opportunities for the disadvantaged in our communities”.

CEKFC Taxi Bus — CEKFC Community Taxi Bus

It achieves this by making grants towards projects that directly assist the disadvantaged here in our East Kent Community.

Recent grants have included…

Vulnerable People – improving the lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities.
Helping to alleviate the impact of disability.
Providing care for the seriously ill and older people.
Supporting Carers.
Relieving poverty and distress
Youth Opportunities – helping children and young people reach their full potential.
Supporting youth groups and organisations
Developing life and work-related skills
Focusing on disadvantaged young people.
Helping the under 25s.

The Charity is named after the Cornwallis family which has played a prominent role in Kent life for many years. The family were landowners and farmers, undertaking many public offices in serving the people of Kent. It was in recognition of this service that Colonel Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis was created Baron Cornwallis of Linton in 1927.

Their close connections with Kent have been mirrored in the family’s association with Freemasonry. The first Lord Cornwallis was Provincial Grand Master of Kent from 1906 until his death in 1935.

He was succeeded in this office by the second Baron who served as Provincial Grand Master of Kent until it was divided into the Masonic Provinces of East and West Kent in 1973. At that time, Lord Cornwallis became the Provincial Grand Master of East Kent.