Greetings brethren, I hope you have had a great Christmas and digested all of that lovely festive fare.
It’s been quite a few months since I was actually able to see my computer screen properly, but after treatment just over a week ago I can resume regular communications with you all.
Firstly to lodge business matters. For those of you that were at our last meeting you will remember that a vote on a change to our By Laws could not proceed due to the wording being incorrect. I can now, with the support of the Provincial Office, submit the changes in the correct format to the Provincial Grand Master subject to the approval of the majority of the lodge members at the January meeting. At our next meeting we will be passing our latest entered apprentice.
To try and make everyone’s planning a bit easier for the coming year we have posted a page with the dates of our meetings in 2024/25, lodges of instruction and GPC ‘s including times and rooms. It would help the lodge a great deal if you would look at these and let me know as far in advance as possible if you cannot attend, especially if you hold active office. I will be able to give more information regarding what ceremonies we expect to hold through the year after the January GPC.
Federation of School Lodges.
As most of you should know by now I am a great promoter of our membership to the Federation. In the Province of East Kent there are now seven member lodges in total. Now that I am mobile again it is my hope to visit all of them when I can to show support. They are based as far apart as Cranbrook to Ramsgate, Dover to Rochester with Canterbury in the middle. A group of us regularly attend the Annual Festival and are looking forward to next years in Kimbolton. Please consider joining us as the following year, 2025, we are hosting it in the new school buildings! I can assure you that a lot of work is involved and the help and support of lodge members is fundamental to making it a success.
Finally, some news about some of our elder brethren. I am pleased to say that I have recently, along with our Worshipful Master, been able to visit W.Bro. Alan Copp in his care home and present him with a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ to mark his becoming an Honorary Member.
On the same day we also visiting W.Bro. Denis Bond at the William Harvey Hospital. Bro. Peter Burville has returned home and I will be visiting in the next couple of days. I was also able to go to Deal with Roy to visit ‘Uncle Bill’ and wish him a happy Christmas.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday and I look forward to seeing you all (literally) in January,
W.Bro. A. Hornby, PPrDepGReg
Secretary of the Pharos Lodge (6967)