On Saturday the 10th of October a delegation of Surrey OSM Brethren travelled round the M25 to Gillingham to attend the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Conclave of Kent at the Gillingham Masonic Centre.
We were made most welcome by the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler and the brethren of Kent. While coffee and breakfast rolls were being served in the dining room the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler’s Arch of Steel were busy rehearing their duties in the Temple. Among the many guests were Heads of Orders from several Kent Orders, and distinguished guests from other Provinces.
The Right Worthy Brethren entered the Temple under an Arch of Steel, followed by the Provincial Officers of the Year. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, Right Worthy Brother, Scott James Dunn, preceded by the Provincial Bow Bearer and Sword Bearer, entered the Temple through an Arch of Steel, accompanied by the drums of the Chatham Royal Marine Cadets, an impressive sight.
Provincial Grand Conclave was opened by the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, who was saluted with seven under the direction of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. After the In Memoriam to departed Brethren, the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler welcomed all the honoured guests of the Province hoping that they will enjoy the meeting, which as is the usual tradition, will have a few special surprises.
The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler thanked Wy.Bro. Philip Charles Clare for his support over several years as Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler and announced that he was appointing Wy.Bro. Paul Robert King as Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler. An escort was formed to introduce Wy.Bro. Paul into Provincial Grand Conclave. After a few words from the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Wy.Bro. Paul was Obligated, Invested, and Proclaimed as the Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler of the Provincial Grand Conclave of Kent. The Provincial Officers for the year 2026/2027 were appointed and those present were invested. The Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler then appointed the Commander, Deputy Commander, and Registrar of his Bodyguard and acknowledged the members of his Arch of Steel.
He then had much pleasure in presenting several awards. He presented the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler‘s Service Award for dedicated service, unwavering commitment, and outstanding contributions to three brethren of the Province. He then had pleasure in presenting the Supreme Grand Supreme Ruler’s Award of Merit to two brethren of the Province for their unwavering dedication which has been instrumental to the success of the units to which they belong. He then presented a rather large Past Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler’s jewel to Wy.Bro. Phil Clare.
During the year the Province has donated to many charities. We received presentations from four of these charities; Ellenor Hospice, Medway Towns Sea Cadets, Medi Tech Trust, East Kent Widow’s Sons, Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex, Royal Marine Cadets, and Little Princess Trust, who all thanked the brethren of Kent for their support. During his address to Provincial Grand Conclave, the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler thanked all members of the Province for their continued support and requested them to continue to seek out from their Craft Lodges suitable members for this wonderful Order.
After the meeting the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler greeted all the honoured guests on their way out of the Temple. We then sat down to a most enjoyable luncheon where the Chatham Royal Marine Cadets played for us at the festive and the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler had much pleasure in presenting cheques to the charities who attended today’s meeting.