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East Kent Masonic Golf Association Claims Victory in Surken Silver Salver

East Kent Masonic Golf Association Claims Victory in Surken Silver Salver

Charity, Golf, News

East Kent V Surry Sports Association

 

Play For The

Surken Silver Salver

Runner up Nick Alder (right)

iiAn Impressive Day on the Greens Ends in Glory for East Kent Masons

The third Interprovincial competition of the 2025 season saw the East Kent Masonic Golf Association host the Surrey Masonic Sports Association for the prestigious Surken Silver Salver.

Having mislaid the trophy in 2024, the Surrey Team arrived at Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Golf club which was in top condition thanks to the recent glorious weather.

The day started with the usual breakfast meeting and the format would be decided on five single games between the two sides with each game being decided by the most Stableford points.  As Surrey had some late withdrawals, the East Kent team comprised of Captain Roy Butler, Vice Captain Paul Ames past captains, Daren Horne, Leon Zacharow and Chris Metherell.

In the end, East Kent stormed to victory, winning all 5 games for a clean sweep.

Standout Individual Performances

While the team result was a cause for celebration, individual brilliance also lit up the day. Leon Zacharow of the Royal Engineers Lodge in Chatham and playing at his home course, delivered a masterclass in consistency and control, finishing with 42 points to claim his first win of the season.

Second place was tightly contested, with Dave Woodward of the Richard Watts Lodge taking the runner-up spot on 36 points, just edging out his lodge brother Ben Parrish, who also finished with 36 points but narrowly lost out on countback. The strong showing from Richard Watts Lodge highlighted their intent for the forthcoming William Blay event at Chestfield Golf club in July.

Congratulations to all participants, and especially to Leon Zacharow for his exceptional round. The spirit of Freemasonry was well and truly alive on the course, and the East Kent Masonic Golf Association can take great pride in a well-earned victory.

Captain Roy Butler also gave a heartfelt outline of his charity for the year which is Five Acre Wood school and as a result the “fine bucket” raised a wonderful £165 for the year.

Runner up Nick Alder (right)

Vice Captain Paul Ames with the Winner Leon Zacharow.  (Royal Engineers Lodge).

Runner up Nick Alder (right)

Runner Up Dave Woodward (Richard Watts Lodge) – 37 Points

The Prizes were:

Nearest The Pin 4th Hole – Paul Day

Nearest The Pin 7th Hole – Roy Butler

Nearest The Pin 11th Hole – Steve Woodward

Nearest The Pin 15th Hole – Nigel Mann

Longest Drive – 17th Hole – Ash Lawrence

 

For the Surken Silver Salver

East Kent Beat Surrey 5 – 0

For The Full Results.  Click Here

 

 Fixture List 2025

 Friday 25th July 2025

Chestfield Golf Club

William Blay Trophy & Individual Stableford

10:00 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:16 First tee.  £60 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

 Friday 29th August 2025

Tenterden Golf Club

Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:24 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 26th September 2025

Faversham Golf Club

Captains Day & Social Stableford

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:30 First tee.  £65.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 17th October 2025

Upchurch Valley Golf Club, Sittingbourne

David Graeme Trophy – Light Blues V Dark Blues

09:00 Breakfast, 10:00 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Older adults in Kent with dementia will receive help and support with diagnosis thanks to Kent Freemasons

Older adults in Kent with dementia will receive help and support with diagnosis thanks to Kent Freemasons

Charity, News

Older adults in Kent with dementia will receive help and support with diagnosis thanks to Kent Freemasons

Older adults in Kent with dementia will receive help and support with diagnosis thanks to Kent Freemasons

Sally explains the memory group, with Peter (jacket) and Colin listening.

Sally explains what the memory clinic

Peter and Colin are shown some of the sowing class pieces

Older adults in Kent with possible early signs of dementia will have better access to early memory assessments thanks to a new initiative funded by a grant from East Kent Freemasons to Age Concern Sandwich.

The £57,000 grant will fund The Memory Champions Project, which aims to tackle some of the lowest dementia diagnosis rates in England. In Kent, just 52.3 per cent of people estimated to be living with dementia receive a formal diagnosis, significantly below the national average.

The project will be led by Age Concern Sandwich, working collaboratively with United Ages of Kent, a consortium of 10 local charities committed to improving the lives of Kent’s ageing population.

Memory Champions is a pioneering community-based model. Rather than expecting older adults to attend GP surgeries, the project will bring memory assessments into trusted community settings such as community centres and charity hubs, making them more accessible and less intimidating for those experiencing early signs of cognitive decline.

The funding will enable trained staff to carry out MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) assessments in relaxed, supportive community environments. Any red flags identified during the assessment process will be referred into the appropriate clinical pathways for further investigation. While Age Concern Sandwich is the lead delivery partner for the project, United Ages of Kent members will also deliver memory assessments across the county, drawing on their trusted local presence to ensure that older adults receive accessible, compassionate and timely support.

Age Concern Sandwich is working collaboratively as part of United Ages of Kent to deliver this innovative and pioneering project, which aims to support earlier diagnosis rates for dementia across the county.

The service has been designed to improve early detection of memory issues, reduce the stigma of dementia and provide timely signposting to the right support. By embedding the service within familiar local settings, the project aims to increase reach among underserved and isolated populations across Kent.

Looking at the work done by the art class

Work done in the art class

having a friendly chat
Colin talking to Ben and Sally

The grant from Kent Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends across England and Wales.

Ben Garratt, CEO of Age Concern Sandwich, said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Freemasons for this generous grant. Age Concern Sandwich is proud to lead the Memory Champions Project, working collaboratively with our United Ages of Kent partners to make memory assessments more accessible and compassionate. Early support can make all the difference and this initiative puts people at the centre of the pathway to diagnosis and care.”

Peter Rhodes from East Kent Freemasons, said:

“I’m very please we’ve been able to help Age Concern Sandwich with their hugely important project helping to diagnose older people with potential cases of dementia. This much needed initiative will help redress Kent’s very poor diagnosis rate which is one of the lowest in the country.”

The Masonic Charitable Foundation

We are the Freemasons’ charity

Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country.
We build better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence.

Our vision

Our Vision for Society
Everyone has the opportunity to lead positive, active and fulfilling lives, especially those that are in need, disadvantaged or marginalised

Our Vision for the Masonic Community

Masonic families are healthy, stable and secure thereby providing them with the opportunities to participate actively in their community and succeed in life.

Our mission

To be a force for good by providing support, care and services to Freemasons and their families in need, and supporting other charities to help the most disadvantaged in society.

Our values

Our strategy
These are the three strategic goals that will help us to achieve our mission between 2018 and 2022:

We will enhance our support and services
We will improve our ways of working
We will raise our profile
We are currently working with our staff, volunteers and trustees to create our next strategy that will take us up to 2030.

THE MCF
We need your stories, so please let the comms team know of the the good work your Lodges and Chapters are doing throughout East Kent. Just drop us a line on news@ekprovince.co.uk

The 2025 Festival Ball, June 2025

The 2025 Festival Ball, June 2025

Charity, Events, Masonic Events, News

An Evening of Elegance and Charity: with a bit of Queen thrown in.

All in aid of the 2025 Festival

Ashford International Hotel

On a very hot Saturday evening, members, friends and families came together to celebrate another year of fundraising for the 2025 Festival.

We were back at the Ashford International Hotel, where the tables were set, and guests gathered in the lobby, ready for a night of good food, entertainment and fun.

Waiting to enter the main dining room, pre event drinks and a time to catch up.
David Pearson our Toast Master for the Evening

It has been some time since we were here in Ashford, the room looked fantastic, and the stage was set for the evening’s entertainment, more about that later.
Our Toast Master, (see above) David Pearson controlled the timing to a T, ushering guests through the doors, to be greeted with tables decorated with Orchids, place settings aligned with military precision, and an atmosphere tingling with excitement.

The tables decorated to a high standard. Fit for a Queen!

The Grand Entrance

Things didn’t quite go to plan, as the Provincial Grand Master, Neil Hamilton Johnstone and his wife Margaret entered the Dining Hall, the photographer couldn’t walk that fast going backwards, and missed some of the best shots. That’s a live event!

The PGM and his Wife Margaret enter the dining room
Margaret and the PGM enter the dining room
Guard of Honour

From top to bottom.

David led the Provincial Grand Stewards into position.
Guard of Honour.
The Provincial Grand Master Neil Hamilton Johnstone and his wife Margaret, enter the room, lead by David Pearson, Toast Master.

With the guests seated, it was time for Grace, and then, for everyone to enjoy the sumptuous meal. But not before Miki Travis got his hands on unsuspecting guests. A Bit of Magic ! !

A bit of magic!

The First of the Entertainment

Acoustic Rain performing during the meal

We will forget the antics of our resident magician, and turn our attention to the first of what turned out to be, three acts.

Acoustic Rain. Performing a catalogue of popular songs whilst guests tucked into their meal, it was refreshing and enjoyable to hear such young talent.

During the break in courses, it became a lovly interlude.

The Impromtu Second Act!

WOW! is all I can say, as some guests reached down to help a waitress, who had inadvertently dropped cutlery and ice buckets from her tray to make a considerable clatter, as the waitress stood up, the music started, the guests were stunned as the waitress sprung into song, “Let Me Entertain You”.

The music continued and two of the male waiters joined in, the audience were in awe, standing, dancing at the tables, jumping onto chairs, waving their napkins, what a sight.

 

Napkin waving to the music<br />
One of the Waitresses
New York New York
Dancing

It was certainly fantastic to see everyone enjoying themselves, even one of our esteemed APGM’s had a go. It took a while as you can see from the photos, left leg kick, right leg kick! There you go ! More photos below.

Left Leg, Right Leg
There you go!

Supersonic Queen

The main entertainment for the evening, was a band called the “Supersonic Queen”, and what a band!

Giving us two sets of songs, a wardrobe change and lots of famous hits,  We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Somebody to love and much more.

Supersonic Queen
Supersonic Queen Band
Supersonic Queen
Supersonic Queen

THE GRAND DRAW!

2 Week Cruise

So, with the entertainment taking a well earned break, it was time for the Grand Draw.

The Grand Draw, the ticket picked by Margaret Hamilton

Digging deep into the tombola, finding that winning ticket. But who won?

The Winner Mr Luck

Congratulations to Mr Ian Luck, the winner of the 2 week cruise.

“55 inch TV”

Won by Lee Adams of the Widows Sons

The winner Lee Stones

“A Vacuum Cleaner”

Won by Kevin Brett

Winner Kevin Brett<br />

“Helicopter Flight”

Won by Kathy Tulley

Kathy Tully

“Case of Wine”

Won by Yvonne Stones

Yvonne Stones wins the wine

“On the Square Whiskey”

Won by Karen Costelloe

Winner Kevin Brett<br />

“A Stay at the Ashford Int Hotel”

Collected by Mark Lawson

Winner Kevin Brett<br />

“Madness Tickets”

Won by Kathy Tulley

Winner Kevin Brett<br />

“Alpine Sports Car for a weekend”

Won by Richard Schacht

Winner Kevin Brett<br />

Friends, Ladies, Gentlemen and Brethren, fully fed, entertained and worn out from the successful evening, started leaving for home, with smiles on their faces, goodbyes said, another successful Ball hosted by the Provincial Grand Stewards was over.

The Provincial Grand Master, and the Chairman of the Board of Stewards 2024, WBro Christian Doll, thanked everyone involved in making this such a great evening, thank you all for attending, supporting and contributing to the evening.

See you on the of November 2025, for the Closing Gala.

Article and photos by WBro Paul Gear ProvGCO

New York New York
We surrender
Freddie?
New York New York
Conga
Conga
Conga
Chris and Amanda
The waiters and guests
The waiters
Bunny Ears, can't take them anywhere!
Mark and Graham
Hi Trevor
Guests enjoying the event
Graham and friends

The Festival Brochure

Please Support

THE MCF

The Freemasons’ charity

Funded entirely by Freemasons, we build better lives by encouraging opportunity, promoting independence and improving wellbeing.

MORE DETAILS
We need your stories, so please let the comms team know of the the good work your Lodges and Chapters are doing throughout East Kent. Just drop us a line on news@ekprovince.co.uk

Masonic Fishing Charity Event – Cottington Lakes, Nr Deal

Masonic Fishing Charity Event – Cottington Lakes, Nr Deal

Charity, Fishing, News

Masonic Fishing Charity Event – Cottington Lakes Nr Deal

Thursday 12th June 2025

Some of the Anglers and Casters

Masonic Fishing Charity Event – Cottington Lakes Nr Deal

We arrived Cottington lakes, near Deal for our second event of the year, lucky enough to have another bright and warm day.  The usual Bacon Rolls and Tea/Coffee were provided to fuel the Anglers ready for the day ahead and when the 2 Schools arrived around 10am, we were paired up with our Students.

 The Silver Fish were plentiful but the smaller Carp a little harder to come by, though some of the Anglers and Students were more fortunate than others … was it skill or simply just luck?

 We were pleased to have APGM, Trevor Carter, along with our current Chairman, David Alexander and first Chairman, Peter Brooshooft, who strolled around the lake with words of encouragement.

At the usual juncture, the lunchtime Bell sounded and off we went, following the smell of the cooking Sausages and Burgers!  After lots of shared stories by Students and Anglers of tactics and catches, we were back to our chosen pitches for another hour of fishing before the final event of the day. 

 After words of thanks and congratulations, APGM Trevor Carter made the presentation of Angling Ability Certificates and Medals to all of the Students who took part and that, as always, is accompanied by loud cheering and hearty applause!  

 Attached are several images of the day and a particularly nice one of the Students and Teachers from the Fifth Trust in Canterbury. The Fifth Trust Students also gave everyone of their paired anglers  a “Thank You” Card, which was very welcome and much appreciated.

Trevor presenting a student with their certificate

Trevor presents one of the students with their Certificate. 

 The next event of the East Kent Masonic Fishing Charity is at

Chart Fishery, Chart on  Thursday 10th July 

We are always looking for more Anglers, so would love you to join us.  All tackle is supplied but you can bring your own if you want.  If interested, please contact: Richard Dixey at –

 rjdixey5329@gmail.com

 

group photo
Trevor presenting a student with their certificate

West Malling Golf Club – East V West for the Kent Silver Salver

West Malling Golf Club – East V West for the Kent Silver Salver

Charity, News

East Kent V West Kent

Golf Associations

 

Play For The

Kent Silver Salver

Runner up Nick Alder (right)

The second East Kent masonic Golf event of the 2025 Season got underway at West Malling golf club on the last Friday in May.

West Kent Masonic Golf association has seen a huge resurgence in the last couple of years thanks to their secretary and APGM Bipin Patel, whose enthusiasm and hard work has seen attendance at his events rise considerably.

The Kent Silver Salver is the trophy for the East V West competition and is hotly contested not only for the trophy but also the bragging rights for the county of Kent.  Having held the trophy for several years, it was East Kent’s turn to host and we returned to West Malling Golf Club and the shorter but tricky Hurricane course.

The event saw 40 golfers take to the fairways in this competition and, to enable as many people as possible to take part of each team, we held 9 individual matches.  The winner of each match would be decided by the highest combined Stableford score for each match earning a point for their own Province.  To add an element of camaraderie between the provinces, there was also an additional team competition with the best two from four scores on each hole being counted towards a team prize.

As the sun shone, East Kent’s Captain Roy Butler, accompanies by Julian Friel, led the way playing West Kent’s past captain Peter Richards and Victor Powell.  The matches then set off one by one to negotiate the tight fairways, dykes and water hazards that the Hurricane course offers.

In the end, East Kent Came home victorious with them winning 6 of the matches and drawing one meaning they retained the Kent Silver Salver.    

Captain Roy Butler also gave a heartfelt outline of his charity for the year which is Five Acre Wood school and as a result the “fine bucket” raised a wonderful £165 for the year.

Runner up Nick Alder (right)

Peter Richards (West Kent) Presents the Kent Silver Salver to Captain Roy Butler. 

In the individual competition, Dave Woodward, Richard Watts Lodge (8534) won the day with an impressive 42 points.    Second place was Leon Zachrow of Royal Engineers lodge Chatham (4465) who also had 42 points but missed out on countback.   Third was Julian Friel of Douglas Lodge (1725) with 41 points. 

In the additional 2 From 4 Competition, Nigel Mann, Leon Zacharow, Kevin Swift & Geoff Ellis won with a combined total of 91 Points

Nigel Mann Winner
Nigel Mann Winner
Roy Charter 2nd
Darren third Place

Left to Right.  Dave Woodward, (Richard Watts Lodge) –  42 Points.    Leon Zacharow, (Royal Engineers Lodge Chatham) – 42 Points.   Third place, Julian Friel, (Douglas Lodge) 41 Points.    Bipin Patel, APGM, & Secretary of West Kent Golfing association received Nearest the Pin for the second hole..

Other Prizes were:

Nearest The Pin 2nd Hole –  Bipin Patel

Nearest The Pin 4th Hole –   Dave Woodward

Nearest The Pin 8th Hole –   Leon Zachrow

Nearest The Pin 13th Hole – Keith Reynold

Nearest The Pin 14th Hole – Paul McGuirk

Nearest The Pin 17th Hole – Keith Reynolds

Longest Drive – 10th Hole – Pete Richards

 

In the Kent Silver Salver, East Kent won 6&1/2 matches to West Kent’s 1&1/2.  The matches were:

 

Roy Butler & Julian Friel Beat Pete Richards & Victor Powell

Ash Lawrence & Ben Parish Beat Ravi Patel & Alex Munro Kidd

Paul McGuirk Beat Bipin Patel

Peter Marno & Nick Alder Lost to Peter Morgan & Tim Stevens

Nigel Mann & Leon Zacharow Beat Kevin Swift & Geoff Ellis

Chris Metherall & Tony Calver Beat Dave Davenport & Paul Noutch

Daren Horne & Del Read Beat Odon Kasindi & Keith Reynolds

Andy Crowhurst & Roger Charter Drew with Peter Morgan & Richard Dawes

Steve Allen & Dave Woodward Beat Peter Smith & Phil Gray

 

For the Full results and Placings Click here

 Fixture List 2025

Friday 27th June 2025

Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Golf Club

EKMGA V Surrey Masonic Sports Association plus Social Stableford

09:00 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 10:00 First tee.  £65.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

 Friday 25th July 2025

Chestfield Golf Club

William Blay Trophy & Individual Stableford

10:00 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:16 First tee.  £60 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

 Friday 29th August 2025

Tenterden Golf Club

Geoffrey Gordon Dearing Bowl

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:24 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 26th September 2025

Faversham Golf Club

Captains Day & Social Stableford

10:30 Coffee & Bacon Rolls, 11:30 First tee.  £65.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING

Friday 17th October 2025

Upchurch Valley Golf Club, Sittingbourne

David Graeme Trophy – Light Blues V Dark Blues

09:00 Breakfast, 10:00 First tee.  £50.00 Inc Lunch

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND BOOKING