Text: Comp Ross White / Photos: E Comp Pat King.

Reculvers Chapter No:4123 Celebrated its Centenary last night, marking 100 years to the day. The meeting showed and celebrated how much has changed for Reculvers in such a short space of time.

The Chapter takes its name from the Reculver Towers, the twin towers of the ruined church of St Mary that stand on the North Kent coast. For centuries they have guided sailors along the Thames Estuary and remain one of the best-known landmarks in the county. Like the towers, the Chapter has come through some hard times and is still standing.

Only two years ago, in 2024, the future looked very uncertain. Just six active members were left and preparations were being made to surrender their Warrant. Instead, the Companions refused to let that happen. Reculver was relaunched as a special interest Chapter dedicated to whiskey, combining Royal Arch Masonry with an appreciation of fine drams. The new identity caught people’s imagination and brought in new members from across the Province, as well as some familiar faces returning. From six active members, Reculvers now has 35, with two more in the pipeline and the Chapter that was nearly lost is now thriving.

That revival was clear to see last night. Eighty people attended the meeting, and seventy sat down to dine in a packed dining room at the Margate Masonic Centre. To mark the occasion and fittingly for a whiskey Chapter, diners were treated to ‘Chapter’, a whiskey distilled by The English Whiskey Company especially to celebrate Reculvers’ Centenary. It was the perfect toast to a remarkable milestone.

The evening was honoured with the presence of our Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Trevor Carter, accompanied by a full Escort of the Royal Arch Executive.

The evening also raised £530 for charity.

Congratulations to everyone who helped bring Reculvers Chapter to its Centenary in such good health. Here’s to the next hundred years.