CHILLINGTON MANOR HITS THE TON – WITH GUSTO
John Ray, Visiting Officer for Chillington Manor Lodge, writes:
1700 hrs. Eighty-five Freemasons all in one place, including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and all four Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. It must have been something pretty special.
Indeed it was. All were gathered at the Maidstone Masonic Centre on the 13th November 2024 to celebrate the Centenary of the Chillington Manor Lodge No.4649.
The Lodge was Consecrated (founded) on the 31st October 1924 and took its name from the Manor that is now part of Brenchley House, the present location of the Maidstone Museum in St Faith’s Street. How do I know that? Because Lodge doyen Trevor Sharpe gave a splendid talk during the Centenary meeting about the origins of the Lodge – and some fascinating details about five of its thirty-five Founders. One of the principal players was Wilfred Sharp (he of Sharp’s Toffees fame) who was a great raiser of funds and who helped the Lodge earn its Hall Stone Jewel, given to those Lodges that made a substantial contribution towards the building of Freemasons’ Hall in Great Queen Street, London.
Lodge Master Mark Graves got the Centenary meeting under way, and, on a “report” (knock on the door), Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Graham Cuthbert entered and told Mark that that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Philip Neil South was outside and “demanded” to be admitted. A Deputation of Lodge Officers went out to greet the DPGM and his Provincial team, who then paraded in. As was customary, Mark then offered the gavel (control of the meeting) to the DPGM, who accepted it and proceeded to install the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Wardens (Chris Metherell and Roy Brooks) and Provincial Grand Secretary (David Graeme) in place of the regular Lodge Officers. Likewise, Graham Cuthbert took the place of Lodge Director of Ceremonies Rob Humphrey.
Once the Minutes of the previous Lodge meeting had been approved, Trevor Sharpe delivered his entertaining talk.
Tony Eldridge, Provincial Assistant Grand Chaplain, and a long-time visitor to the Lodge, then took to the lectern and recalled to our minds some of the personalities and events that were in the news in 1924. We were also amused to learn that, at the Consecration Meeting’s Festive Board, cigars were provided for the Top Table with cigarettes for those “below”!
Now for the key part of the Centenary meeting. Provincial Grand Secretary David Graeme read out a Citation from the Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, congratulating the Lodge on its achievement of reaching the milestone of one hundred years’ continuous existence. The Centenary Warrant was duly presented to, and accepted by, the Master.
Next, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master presented a beautifully designed Centenary Jewel to the Master. (All Lodge members would be receiving one as well.) The DPGM then handed back control of the meeting to Mark, and the Lodge’s Officers resumed their roles.
Even though it was a Centenary meeting, the Lodge had to deal with regular business matters. Among the items, we learnt that it was doing very well in raising funds for the Province’s 2025 Festival and had just achieved Gold Certificate status. It was also delighted to present to the DPGM a cheque for £2,025 as part of its contribution to the Festival.
Once the meeting had closed, Provincial photographer Mark Howells had the challenging task of getting us all together (“like herding cats”, someone said) for the obligatory snaps. I reckon he did a good job!
Taking our places at the Festive Board, we found that we had all been given a copy of Trevor Sharpe’s booklet celebrating “The First One Hundred Years” of the Lodge.
For the Festive Board itself we had leek and potato soup, roast pork and vegetables (or vegetarian alternative), lemon meringue pie and cheese and biscuits. In his reply to the Toast to the Province, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Phil South congratulated the Lodge on its achievement. He noted three principles or objectives on which it was founded: research on matters of masonic interest, refreshment after labour, and zeal in charity. Regarding the last of these, he urged members to continue their efforts in supporting the 2025 Festival. Donations would be accepted up to the end of 2026. He referred to the “revolving door” principle, whereby donations were turned around immediately and given to worthy causes without delay. He noted that the Lodge was a supporter of the Dandelion Trust, having only that evening donated a sum, and, to enthusiastic applause, told us that the Masonic Charitable Foundation had given £60,000 to the Trust.
Phil gave thanks, from himself and the Provincial Executive, for the hospitality they had enjoyed. To further applause he thanked Graham Cuthbert for his work as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Finally, he reminded Lodge members that they were only custodians for a short while, but he was confident that the Lodge would continue to thrive on its way to its Bicentenary.
In reply to a special Toast to the Chillington Manor Lodge, Mark Graves thanked the DPGM and his team for making the occasion so special; and very kindly presented Centenary Jewels to the DPGM and to me as Visiting Officer. He was pleased that there were “lots of Light Blues” in the Lodge, thus assuring it of a profitable future.
Chillington Manor is a delightful Lodge, and I am proud to be associated with it, in however small a way.
Photos Credit: Mark Howells
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