Helping Young People through Community Engagement

Last year, the University of Kent, in collaboration with the Kent Scouts and the Kent Museum of Freemasonry in Canterbury, launched the Dr. Teddy Church Bursary Fund. This prestigious award was created in memory of Dr. Teddy Church, a Freemason, dedicated general practitioner, and passionate collector of Kentish history, genealogy, and heraldry.

 This year, on October 22nd, the University proudly presented the first annual bursary to two students, Lukas Kumin and Josh Skeete. This momentous occasion marked the inaugural presentation of the Dr. Teddy Church Prize in History, a significant milestone for the University of Kent. Richard Wingett and Peter Hazelwood from the Kent Museum of Freemasonry were present to celebrate the achievements of these two outstanding first-year students from the School of History.

 The Dr. Teddy Church Prize, created by the Museum in honour of Dr. Church’s legacy, acknowledges the dedication and academic excellence of the University’s history students. Dr. Church not only devoted his life to caring for his patients but also to preserving the rich history of Kent, amassing a remarkable collection of historical documents that he generously donated to the Kent Museum of Freemasonry.

 In keeping with Dr. Church’s passion for education and history, this distinguished award aims to inspire and motivate future historians. Today, we extend our warmest congratulations to Lukas Kumin and Josh Skeete, who achieved the highest and second-highest overall performances in their year.

 Anna Pollard, Philanthropy Manager at the University of Kent, expressed her congratulations, stating, “Congratulations to Lukas and Josh for their outstanding achievements, and a heartfelt thank you to the Kent Museum of Freemasonry and the Church family for their generous support. Together, we are preserving the past while encouraging our students to explore the stories that deepen our understanding of history.”

 2023/24 Prize Winner Lukas Kumin reflected on receiving the award, saying, “I am truly honoured to be the first recipient of the Dr. Teddy Church Prize. This award not only acknowledges my efforts but also motivates me to continue excelling in my studies. I am deeply grateful to the Kent Museum of Freemasonry for their generosity, which has made this opportunity possible for students like me. This recognition inspires me to keep pursuing my academic goals in history.”

The picture shows, Peter Hazelwood, Lukas Kumin, Josh Skeete and Richard Wingett

To find out more about the Kent Museum of Freemasonry, visit their website at https://www.kentmuseumoffreemasonry.org.uk/