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Romney Marsh Lodge Hosts East and West Kent Widows Sons for Breakfast and Charity Ride

Romney Marsh Lodge Hosts East and West Kent Widows Sons for Breakfast and Charity Ride

Charity, News

Romney Marsh Lodge Hosts East and West Kent Widows Sons for Breakfast and Charity Ride

 

Group at Samphire Hoe
Group Photo

Romney Marsh Lodge Hosts East and West Kent Widows Sons for Breakfast and Charity Ride

On Sunday, September 31st, Romney Marsh Lodge 4743 welcomed members of the East and West Kent Widows Sons for a joint breakfast meeting. The event began with a superb meal prepared by the lodge’s chef, providing an excellent start to a day dedicated to community and camaraderie.

Following breakfast, the Widows Sons rode to a local nursing home to spend time with the residents. Their visit included an impressive display of their motorcycles, which sparked lively conversations and fond memories among the residents. Many of the elderly residents had been motorcyclists or passengers in their younger days and were delighted to share stories of their own adventures on two wheels. This heartwarming interaction highlighted the special connection between the groups and brought great joy to the residents.

After their visit, the brethren embarked on a ride to Samphire Hoe, successfully navigating the weather and avoiding the day’s torrential rain. The event concluded with the collection of alms totaling £80, which will be donated to the Widows Sons’ Toy Run charity. The day was a testament to the strong bonds of fraternity and a shared commitment to supporting the community.

Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association

The Widows Sons is an International Association which is open to all Freemasons who enjoy
motorcycling and have a desire to ride with and associate with their fraternal brothers.

EAST KENT https://eastkent.wsmba.uk/index.html

WEST KENT https://westkentmasons.org.uk/widows-sons/

 

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Longshaw Fishing Report 2025

Longshaw Fishing Report 2025

Charity, Fishing, News

Masonic Fishing Charity Event – Longshaw Fishery

Thursday 11th September 2025

A student with a good catch
APGM Graham Chisnell
Keeping dry

Masonic Fishing Charity Event – Longshaw Fishery

Longshaw Fishery, our final cheer
To the last event of this bright year.
A pretty place, where waters gleam
A rippling Lake, a peaceful scene
Trees all around, on every side
Branches full where birds could hide
Yet Autumn’s breath, not far away
Leaves loosened from their Summer stay

Tents and tables were set with care
By Gerry, Guy and Colin there.
At eight o’clock, the Anglers came
Each chose a pitch to stake their claim.
Soon, the savoury breakfast call
Bacon rolls, tea/coffee for all
Gleefully imbibed at quite a pace
And smiles appeared on every face
Though rain was due, the sun held sway
And lit the start to this fine day

At ten o’clock and set to guide
Anglers and students, side by side
The lake where morning breezes played
New friendships bloomed in dappled shade.
With rods in hand, a quiet plan
Where beast leaps up to meet with ‘man’
Corn and maggots, worms to thank,
Anticipation along the bank.
Lines were cast and reels would spin
The carp came biting thick and thin!

Squeals of excitement echoed wide
As fish emerged from the lake’s dark tide
Pulled from the depths with joy and care,
Then safely returned to the waters there.
No classroom walls, no ticking clocks,
Just whispers through the grass and rocks.
A different kind of lesson grew
Of nature, trust, and something new.
And in those moments, pure and free,
We know what learning’s meant to be.

Just after twelve, a pause to dine
Sausages and burgers in record time
Stories swapped of this special day
And of the ‘ONE’ that got away!
After Lunch, the lines pulled fast
More fish caught as the hours passed.
Before we knew, the time had come
To enjoy some Presentation fun

We gathered close, then came the call
For Graham Chisnell, loved by all.
Medal, Certificates, words well-spun
By Graham, oh ebullient one!
Applause rang out and heads held high
Beneath that soft September sky
Their faces shone with pure delight
Each name called out, their eyes alight
The pride we felt, without a doubt
Is what this Charity’s all about

The real reward, a simple case
The joy felt from each beaming face.
Soon time to go, but WHAT a day
With lessons learnt along the way
Then came goodbyes, but not with sorrow
The smiles today light up tomorrow.
And though the seasons turn and flee
The lake holds still this memory
Of fire-kissed leaves and fading green
Fulfilment of the Childrens’ dream

Once again a huge thankyou to everyone involved, The Chairman, The Committee, The Helpers, The Caterers and of course, all of the Anglers that make these days so very special.

See you all next season.

30h April, 2026, Venue Horsham Lakes, Upchurch

We are always looking for more Anglers, so would love you to join us. All tackle is supplied,
but you can bring your own if you want. If interested, please contact: Richard Dixey at – rjdixey5329@gmail.com

Late Summer Get Together for Group 8

Late Summer Get Together for Group 8

Charity, News

Late Summer Get Together for Group 8

Jim Mason Group Chairman writes:

They haven't got a Gnome photo

Hook a Duck

wooden rocking horse

Sunday 31st August was the last chance for the members of Group 8 to get together before the return to Masonic business.

Held for the third time at the 1st Garlinge Scout Group HQ, Margate.

The promise sunshine with a threat of a shower and following a downpour the night before did not dampen anyone’s ardour and the event went ahead.

 Offering a BBQ and funfair style activities, a Bouncy Castle, the inclusion for the second year the Emergency Services Lodge’s ‘Human Fruit Machine’ provided added interest and enthusiasm from young and old the members of the Lodge also provided teas and coffee. And there was of course a bar.

Also include this year was a cake stall provided by the ladies of the Trinity Lodge, and a craft stall organised by Julie Bedding of Porta Maris Lodge.

 Other activities included a Coconut Shy, Magic Map, Golf Darts, Darts, Hook a Duck, Corn Hole and other beanbag games.

 Opening at 11am we were busy all day with over 140 adults and children, representing 10 of our Group’s 17 Lodges. Representatives from outside Lodges and members of the Hygiene Bank Charity along with families of non-Masons. Wayne Smith (APGM Community) and the Chair of Group 5  Julian Friel. We pride ourselves on being an Inclusive Group not an Exclusive one.

A Good Day, Made a Very Good Day

 

Apart from the BBQ and usual Raffle we had speciality items in the form of a child’s Rocking Bike and a Barrow of Booze.
The ‘Rocking Bike’ was won by John Roberts of St Johns Thanet Lodge and the Barrow of Booze went to Sott Goudie of the Old Ruymian Lodge.

Money raised from the event will go to the Group’s main chosen charity for 2025 ’21 Together’.

Everyone commented on the fun part of our masonry had not dwindled and the efforts by everybody in attendance from children to adults had made for a good day being a very good day!

1st Garlinge Scout Group offer their premises free and in return we support a ‘Bums on Seats’ event for their AGM, to be held at the Margate Masonic Centre. We provide a quiz after their AGM, and a hot buffet is prepared by the centre’s caterer. They get the profit from the event, and we get the profit from the bar. A ‘Win – Win’ reciprocal arrangement.

Having Fun

Picture include the winner of the Barrow of Booze – Scott Goudie. The great Grandson of John Roberts trying out the ‘Rocking Bike’ and several activities being tried by supporters of the event.

A Place to Eat
winner of the barrow of booze
We need your stories, so please let the comms team know of the the good work your Lodges and Chapters are doing throughout East Kent. Just drop us a line on news@ekprovince.co.uk

A Day to Remember at Tenterden – The Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl

A Day to Remember at Tenterden – The Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl

Golf, News

Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl – Tenterden Golf Club

Members of the East Kent Masonic Golf Association came together at the beautiful Tenterden Golf Club to contest this year’s Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl which is an individual Stableford competition donated by our much-loved Past Provincial Grand Master.

Despite heavy forecasts of rain, the sun shone on the 36 players and guests from East Kent and the weather stayed dry making for an enjoyable round on an excellent course.

The star of the show was Past Captain Derek Reed (Spirit of Rugby Lodge), who produced the round of his life. Scoring 45 Stableford points with a superb four-over-par round, Derek claimed a well-deserved victory.

Runner-up was Roger Charter (Weald of Kent Lodge), who made good use of his home advantage to finish on 37 points.

There were plenty of other strong performances:

Paul Ames (Sir Edward Elgar Lodge) – 36 points Third place

Wendy Davenport – Best Lady Golfer

Fraser Gregory – “Most Golf Played”

The day was full of camaraderie, good humour, and fine golf.  

Congratulations to Derek and all our prize-winners and huge thank you to Tenterden Golf Club not only for their warm welcome and excellent hospitality but for their donation of a 4 ball voucher which was Auctioned for £120 for our Captains Charity of Five Acre Wood School. 

 

Full Results - Click Here

 Fixture List 2025

 Friday 26th September 2025

Faversham Golf Club

Captains Day & Social Stableford

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:30 First tee.  £65.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 17th October 2025

Upchurch Valley Golf Club, Sittingbourne

David Graeme Trophy – Light Blues V Dark Blues

09:00 Breakfast, 10:00 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Ashford Lodges join together to help Rubie

Ashford Lodges join together to help Rubie

Charity, News

Ashford Lodges join together to help Rubie

How a life can change in a second

Rubie on her 16th Birthday

   The life of 16-year-old Rubie Tucker was forever changed last year when she suffered a devastating cardiac arrest in a park in Ashford, just four days after her birthday. A friend, who was with her at the time, immediately began performing CPR, an action that saved Rubie’s life.

Emergency services arrived quickly and transported Rubie to a London hospital. She was later moved to The Kent and Canterbury Hospital, where she remained for some time. Unfortunately, because her breathing had stopped, her brain was starved of oxygen for approximately 30 minutes. This resulted in severe brain injuries that left her unable to walk, talk, sit up, or eat and drink independently.

A Community Rallies to Help

To support Rubie’s new needs, hospital occupational therapists determined that a home extension was necessary. This addition would include a wet room and specialist equipment like hoists to help with her care.

After learning about the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity, Rubie’s mother, Kim, reached out for help. Her application prompted a coordinated effort by several Freemason lodges, including Stour, South Kent, St George Bahrain, Ashford, Essetesforde, East Kent Combined Services, and Loyalty Lodges. Together, they launched a match-funding initiative to support Rubie and her family.

This collective effort led to the charity providing a cheque for £3,500. On Sunday, July 13, 2025,  Bob Hadlow, the Group 6 Charity Stewards Co-ordinator, visited Rubie’s home to present the cheque to her parents, Kim and Simon.

Bob presenting the cheque to Rubies mum, Kim
Children and Parents enjoying the day
Building taking place

A New Chapter for Rubie

When Bob presented the cheque, construction on the extension was well underway, with the external and internal walls already in place. Kim and Simon were deeply moved by the donation and expressed their gratitude, explaining that the money would make a huge difference in their lives.

The funds will be used to purchase a specialist stretcher bed for the wet room, which will allow them to wash and change Rubie more easily.

The family is incredibly grateful for the support from the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity and the local lodges, as this assistance marks a new chapter in Rubie’s care, giving her a better quality of life and providing her parents with much-needed support.

Rubie after the Cardiac Arrest, with her mum Kim
Rubie
We need your stories, so please let the comms team know of the the good work your Lodges and Chapters are doing throughout East Kent. Just drop us a line on news@ekprovince.co.uk