A few stories from Christmas 2024
East Kent Widows Sons
We kick things off with an inspiring article by the East Kent Widows Sons.
On Sunday 8th December 2024, 33 dedicated members and supporters of the East Kent Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association met up to carry out the Annual Toy Run – The highlight event of the East Kent Widows Sons Calendar.
The East Kent Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association are made up of many members of the Mark Province of Kent, where they are based at the Hundred of Hoo Mark Lodge, and have recently celebrated the expansion of their membership by successfully petitioning the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Peter David Williams, to bring the Hundred of Hoo RAM Lodge out of abeyance. The meeting was very successful, with 4 members being Elevated into the RAM degree at the very same meeting where it was brought back to life.
The group arrived at 08:00 to have breakfast and a briefing about the day.
In the middle of Storm Darragh, with 90mph winds battering the country, the tough decision was taken the evening before, not to ride out on the bikes, but to take cars instead. After the car sharing arrangements were completed, the convoy of bikers, together with the support vehicles full of toys, departed for the first stop of the day.
At 09:15, the group arrived at Gillingham Street Angels.
Originally founded in 2018 Gillingham Street Angels are a small grassroots charity
that supports local people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship and
food poverty across Medway!
15 boxes of toys and gifts were delivered to the Gillingham Street Angels, providing much needed support to those who need it the most.
After a group photo, they hit the road again, and arrived at 10:15 for the next delivery of toys at Strode Park.
Caring since 1946, Strode Park Foundation is a Kent charity, providing vital care, support services, supported living opportunities and day and leisure services for children and adults with a range of disabilities.
Following some Christmas Carols, supported by “Frog” and his ukulele, 20 wrapped presents were provided to the residents of Strode Park, and carefully arranged around their wonderful Christmas Tree. There were some very welcome refreshments to warm everyone up, as the weather outside was truly frightful!
Hitting the road again, the next stop was planned for the Footprints Charity, part of the Strode Park Foundation.
Based just outside Canterbury, in quiet countryside, Footprints specialises in the care of young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Designed to allow a mix of privacy and togetherness, they offer high-quality residential care for young people offering services which are tailored to meet individual needs, promoting independence and inclusion.
The bikers arrived at 11:00 and said hello to the residents of the Footprints Chairty. The presents had been delivered previously, as they were specialist sensory toys and gifts, aimed at supporting learning amongst the residents. The visit was to call in and wish the residents a very Merry Christmas from all the members of the East Kent Widows Sons.
Moving off once more, the group headed a short distance back into Canterbury, to the Rising Sun Charity.
The Rising Sun Charity is there to assist those suffering domestic abuse. Their mission is “Ending Abuse Together – Together with victim-survivors, professional agencies and our community, we empower and support adults and children impacted by domestic abuse in Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe.”
As always, the group were given a very warm welcome, where 15 boxes of toys, and multiple bags of gifts were delivered. A human conveyor of bikers was employed to move all of the gifts from the vehicles, all the way upstairs to their storage location, before distribution to the recipients; it was a sight to behold, over 15 bikers, wearing Santa suits passing boxes from one another up the stairs!! But which one was the REAL Santa??
The final stop was Millmead in Margate, and the group set off for the last leg of the journey.
Arriving at 13:30 at Millmead, there were a further 15 boxes of presents delivered. Millmead is the Kent Family Hub, with the facility being part funded by Kent County Council. The charity supports Children, and their families. This being the last stop of the day, the bikers were given a very warm welcome by this wonderful charity, who provided warm drinks to help in thawing out the group. Even though they were in cars, the cold, wet and windy weather certainly too its toll!
The East Kent Widows Sons would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the Mark Lodges and RAM Lodges within the Mark Province of Kent, together with Lodges and Chapters of the Masonic Province of East Kent for their continued support. Without this support, the Toy Run, and the Easter Egg Run would not be possible, and it is down to the kindness and generosity of all of the members of these wonderful Provinces. Thank you all for making these events possible.
This event distributed over £5000 in toys and gifts to these wonderful charities.
The East Kent Widows Sons would like to give a heartfelt vote of thanks to D&A Toys in Chatham, who also donated an additional £800 worth of toys to this superb event.
If you would like more information about joining the Mark Province of Kent, either at the Hundred of Hoo Mark or RAM Lodges, or another Mark/RAM lodge in the Province, you can visit the website at www.kentmarkmastermasons.org.uk
To join the East Kent Widows Sons, you can visit their website at www.eastkent.wsmba.uk
Colouring Santa
Kevin Bowles writes:
Santa Xmas competition held on the 23rd December 2024.
The Mayor & Mrs Mayor, also the deputy Mayor of Hawkinge were all in attendance and judged the event.
The event was organised jointly by The Mayfly Landlord Mr Paul Talbot & Bro Kevin Bowles, Prince Edwin’s Lodge No 125 Hythe, Kent.
All prizes were supplied by Bro Kevin Bowles.
We had over 50 entries and every competitor received a Christmas gift.
