Following the success of the first ‘Bums on Seats’ initiative in Group 8, held at the Margate Masonic Centre in 2022 supporting a local nominated charity. Members of Group 8 held their second, this time at the Ramsgate Masonic Centre on Saturday 11th February in support of the Group’s chosen charity for 2023 ‘The Community Lifesavers’.

Organised by Bro. Nigel Mann (Group 8’s (Holy Royal Arch, HRA Charity Coordinator) supported by WBro. Paul McGuirk (both from Royal Navy Lodge No 429) and members of the Charity, who provided a Quizmaster’ raffle prizes and most importantly the ‘Bums on the Seats’.

The Freemason part of the evening was to host the evening by providing the venue and the use of the bar facilities, and of course that added bonus of the possibility of new members.

The charity profiting from the money raised from the event, and the Centre from the sales over the bar.

56 people attended which included a team from the Royal Navy Lodge No 429 and Union Lodge No 127, with support by members of Kingsgate Lodge No 4882.
Questions being set that were not too hard for anyone, enhanced the convivial atmosphere which resulted in a good time being had by all.

The Royal Navy Lodge team were winners of the ‘Wooden Spoon’ with Union Lodge placed 3rd, but the overall winner of the evening was the Charity raising £630, which will enable the purchase of 2 resuscitation dolls.

Gareth Johns an organiser for the charity and evening commented,
“Events such as these, together with the support from the community we will be able to provide a lifesaving skill to our younger community and one for us all to eventually participate in”.

For many this was their first contact with Freemasonry. An enjoyable evening such as this with the obvious interaction shows that freemasonry is working well within our communities.