In the Dark Midwinter ......

The brethren, wives, partners and guests of Maidstone Masonic Centre having braved the extreme cold and wet weather, gathered on Saturday 13th. December for their annual Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, sponsored this year by the Maeides Stana Lodge No. 7868. The evening was introduced by W.Bro. Dave Tozer the Master of Maeides Stana Lodge. W.Bro Peter Saunders then led the service. The lessons, interspersed by nine well known carols, were read by members drawn from eight of the lodges that meet at Tovil, with W.Bro. Peter Saunders reading the last and ninth lesson. After the last carol W. Bro. Saunders delivered a few words of ‘Thoughts for Christmas’. The electric organ accompanist was W.Bro. Richard Williams.

W.Bro. Tozer then introduced the Provincial Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro. Michael Robin Bailey, who welcomed the representatives of six local hospices; Donna Wells for Demelza; Julie Askew for Heart of Kent; Joy Blunderfield for Ellenor Lions and Richard Morey, Chairman of Trustees for the Pilgrims Hospices at Ashford, Canterbury and Margate, all of whom were thanked for striving to make life more comfortable for those whom they served.

The Provincial Grand Master then gave a short address, in which he explained that the Freemasons’ Grand Charity had granted £600,000 to hospices nationally, including £19,400 to East Kent hospices. He mentioned other awards made by the Grand Charity to non-Masonic charities this year, including £1m for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund; £500k to the Scout Movement’s project for the Young People of Tomorrow; £82k for the National Autistic Society and £50k for Deafness Research, all examples of Freemasons’ support for local and national worthy causes. He praised the dedication and service of all volunteers, such as the guests of the evening, without whom nothing could be achieved.

The Provincial Grand Master briefly explained the origins and aims of the Grand Charity upon their foundation in 1717 and that their outlook was unchanged to this day. He also referred to the 8000 brethren in the Province who proudly support Freemasonry’s three main objectives of concern for all mankind and our neighbours; assisting those who need either practical help or financial assistance; and being truthful and loyal to each other; our families and our fellow men.

The cheques were then presented to Demelza Children’s Hospice, Sittingbourne for £2,780; Heart of Kent Hospice, Aylesford for £2,743; Ellenor Lions Hospice, Northfleet for £2,743; the Pilgrim’s Hospices of Ashford for £4,196; Canterbury for £3,324 and Margate for £3,614. Each representative made a short address of acceptance with grateful thanks to the Grand Charity for the gift to support the work of their hospice.

W.Bro Tozer then closed the proceedings with all best wishes for the festive season and invited all to partake of a cold buffet.
 

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