A Day to Remember: The Island’s Biggest Family Event Shines Bright for Freemasonry
SUMMER SPECTACULAR 2024
Richard Broster writes:
It was a whirlwind of excitement and hard work, but the efforts paid off in spectacular fashion! Saturday, August 3rd, marked the culmination of 16 months of dedicated planning by a small but mighty group of Freemasons from UMC Sheerness. Their vision came to life as the island’s largest family event in years, and it was nothing short of extraordinary!
Dean Faulkner, OStJ, BEM, PPDGSB, Chairman, remarked, “The atmosphere was electric as families from all corners of the island and beyond gathered to enjoy a day filled with joy, laughter, live entertainment, and community spirit.” Over 10,000 attendees participated in the festivities, making it a monumental gathering. From thrilling rides and games to delicious food stalls and captivating performances, there was something for everyone. Local businesses and stallholders played a crucial role, offering an array of goods and services that added to the festive atmosphere. A heartfelt thank you goes out to these wonderful supporters who helped make the day so special.
Paul Pavitt, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for the Royal Arch and Vice Chairman, emphasized, “Let’s not forget the heart of the event: the charities. This day was as much about giving back as it was about having fun. We’re incredibly grateful to all the charities that participated.” Over 75 local and national charities attended, raising awareness and much-needed funds for their causes, retaining every penny they raised on the day. Their presence truly highlighted the spirit of community and generosity that defines our island and Freemasonry.”
The Masonic PR Tent was a hub of activity, offering free face painting and balloon modelling to the children while parents inquired about Freemasonry. It was a fantastic PR opportunity, showcasing the community-focused spirit of our organization.
Adding a touch of magic to the event, Miki Travis, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Royal Arch, famously known as “Mickey the Clown,” had the honour of opening the celebrations. His vibrant performance set the tone for a day filled with laughter and joy.
Richard Broster, Head of IT & Communications, gave a special shoutout to the event’s main sponsors, whose contributions were invaluable. For those who haven’t yet, visit www.ruleandrule.co.uk/summer-spectacular to see the full list of sponsors and most of the charities that took part. There’s also a warm thank-you note from the chairman, expressing gratitude for everyone’s support and participation. You can also check out the Facebook page by searching “The Sheerness Freemasons Summer Spectacular 2024.”
As the sun set on a perfect day, one thing was clear: this event was a shining example of what Freemasonry brings to our local communities, creating memories that will last a lifetime and raising much-needed funds for so many charities and organizations. In total, combined with what the charities raised on the day, which they retained 100% of, we raised over £30,000. Sheerness Freemasons will also be donating over £17,000 to Masonic causes and local charities that supported the event.
Here’s to many more spectacular events in the future! Thank you, everyone, for being part of this unforgettable day. We couldn’t have done it without Freemasonry, the brethren who organized it, and the local community who engaged with us.
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