A special day for Kyngstun Council
Wednesday the 7th of September was a special day for Kyngstun Council No 102. They received a visit from our District Grand Prefect, R.W.Bro. John V C French, admitted a candidate to the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr, installed a new Worshipful Master, and on top of that were paid a visit from a Past Sovereign Grand Master of the AMD in the United States of America.
The meeting was opened by the acting Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Barrie Selway. Our District Grand Prefect entered the Council, was greeted by the Worshipful Master, and took the Chair for a few minutes. After he was saluted with seven by the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro. Anton Smith, he introduced the District Grand Officers, thanking them for their support. He also welcomed the Past Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees, USA, D. Allen Surratt, who was the Sovereign Grand Master from 2007 to 2008.
R.W.Bro. John then spoke about dates for our diaries, the Annual Meeting on Saturday the 3rd of December, and the next Hog Roast on Sunday the 9th of July where R.W.Bro. Ray Hussey has once again guaranteed good weather. After taking the minutes, he vacated the Chair as the Council had a lot of work to do.
A ballot was held for two Brethren to be admitted to the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr, Brother Bob Soper and Brother David Lawrence. This proved in their favour and Brothers Bob and David were admitted to the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr in an excellent manner by W.Bro. Barrie Selway, ably assisted by his Officers.
After W.Bro. Barrie Selway had given the lecture on the Degree, the two new members of the Council were congratulated by our District Grand Prefect, and the Past Sovereign Grand Master of the AMD in the USA, and welcomed into the Order.
The next item on the agenda was to install W.Bro. Chris Eley, our District Grand Photographer, as Master of Kyngstun Council. As W.Bro. Chris is presently the Master of the Southern Cross Council No XIII a Dispensation was read. W.Bro. Chris was then installed as the new Worshipful Master of Kyngstun Council in a very sincere manner by W.Bro. Barrie Selway.
On investing his Officers, W.Bro. Chris invested W.Bro. Barrie as Senior Warden saying that in a year’s time he will be installing into the Chair of Kyngstun Council the Brother who had just installed him, hoping that ceremony would be a good as the one Chris received that day.
The Lodge of St Lawrence the Martyr was then closed and after the customary photographs we retired to the bar for refreshments.
The Brethren of Kyngstun Council and their guests then sat down to a very convivial meal at the Surbiton Masonic Hall.
The following day Chris and Allen met up at Mark Masons’ Hall at the Annual Meeting of the Grand Priory of the Order of Knights Beneficent of the Holy City who had gathered in the Grand Temple.
They met, not only to enjoy the Installation of the new Most Eminent Reverend Grand Master, Dr Vivian Thomas, JP, but also to say a fond farewell to the outgoing Grand Master, Michael Edward Herbert, Presiding Oficer, who was retiring after 11 years at the helm of this small and select Christian Order of Freemasonry.
Here we have Reverend Knights Allen and Chris after the meeting.
Article and photos by Chris Eley, District Grand Photographer
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