Delivery of a Braille Ritual Book to Germany
Bro Alex Walter Reading Ritual in Canterbury
Article by WBro Kevin Kemp.
On Sunday 27th October 2024, two travellers set off from their homes near Dover on a mission to deliver two very important things.
The story began in March 2024, with a visit of the Friederich Sur Vaterlandsliebe Lodge No 278 based in Koblenz Germany, to the Septem Lodge No 7788 in Dover.
During that visit, Bro Alex Walter (who is totally blind) was able for the first time ever, to read ritual from a Braille Ritual Book held in the Library and Museum in Canterbury.
Thanks to WBro Ron Carter who searched the archives and WBro Richard Wingett of the Kent Museum of Freemasonry, a further copy of a Braille Ritual book was found and kindly donated for the benefit of Bro Alex.
A trip was organised by WBro Colin North, and WBro Kevin Kemp to visit Koblenz and present this wonderful gift to Bro Alex in his mother Lodge, at a regular meeting.
Bro Alex was very emotional at receiving this gift, he remarked that this was something that he had not expected and that he was most grateful to the Kent Library and Museum of Freemasonry, to Ron Carter for his work and to Richard Wingett for making the gift possible. He had known that Bro’s Colin and Kevin were making the visit, but not what the purpose of the visit was, making it that much more special for him.
WBro Colin North & WBro Kevin Kemp presenting the Braille Ritual Book to Bro Alex Walter
WBro Colin North & WBro Kevin Kemp presenting the UGLE Grand Lodge Certificate to WBro Olaf Draeger
At the same time, a UGLE Grand Lodge Certificate was presented to the latest joining member of the Septem Lodge, WBro Olaf Draeger, making it a double celebration, once again WBro Olaf knew about our visit but did not know that he would be presented with his UGLE Certificate.
He remarked that he was amazed that he was receiving his certificate in his home Lodge, in front of his German brethren, he said he felt deeply honoured to have received this in his hometown.
Photographed in the Lodge room of the Friederich Zur Vaterlandsliebe Lodge No 278 in Koblenz are from left to right, WBro Colin North, Bro Alex Walter, WBro Holgar Kumm (Worshipful Master) WBro Olaf Draeger and WBro Kevin Kemp, after the presentation of the Braille Ritual Book and Grand Lodge Certificate.
No visit to Koblenz could be complete without taking in some of the sites, Koblenz sits on two rivers, the Moselle and the Rhine, photographed is the meeting of the two great rivers, the Rhine is to the bottom left and the Moselle is disappearing towards the top of the picture. Of course the Moselle is the famous area for growing the grapes which produce the great Moselle Wines of the region, well worth a visit.
Colin North, Alex Walter, Holgar Kumm (WM), Olaf Draeger, & Kevin Kemp photograped in the Lodge Room
Sight seeing and a trip to a local Brewery
All too soon the trip ended and on Wednesday the 30th of October we began our journey home. Breakfasting first on a typical full English, cooked brilliantly by Colin, after which yours truly completed the washing up, packing our bags in to the car and ensuring nothing had been left in our apartment, we said goodbye to our Brother Olaf and just as we are about to turn out of the street, I almost had a heart attack as Colin began to drive on the wrong side of the road, kept me awake for the 4 hour journey to the Eurotunnel. Still, all’s well that ends well. What a trip.
KENT MUSEUM OF FREEMASONRY
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A hidden treasure which boasts a rare collection of exhibits of national and international importance. Our collection of Masonic material is probably the finest in the UK outside of London. Follow this link for a map showing where we are.
To find out more, visit their website https://www.kentmuseumoffreemasonry.org.uk/
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