I don’t know how they do it, but nearly every Provincial Officers’ Mess Meeting seems to be held in glorious weather. Maybe we should hold them as barbecues outdoors. “More onions on your sausage, Sir?”

The Provincial Officers’ Mess is for all Freemasons in East Kent Province who hold the rank of a Provincial Grand Officer. You pay a small annual subscription to belong, and can attend the twice-yearly Mess Meetings, where you pay for lunch and listen to talks on masonic topics of current interest. The Provincial Grand Master/Grand Superintendent is the President. The Provincial Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary are usually elected accordingly. It is all very jolly and very informal.

Bright as a button, I breezed into the Maidstone Masonic Centre at about 1215 on Thursday 19th March. The car park was filling up nicely, and the bar was doing a decent trade. First stop for me was to sign in. On duty were Arthur Pybus, Chris Crabb and Bob Hadlow, under the watchful eye of Organiser-in-Chief Andrew Berry (L-R, pictured). How many would be attending, I asked Arthur. A hundred and forty-one, plus a few who had forgotten to book and were hoping they could be squeezed in. Andrew told me that some of those attending were not yet Provincial Officers, but the Provincial Grand Master had offered them a Rank, which they had of course accepted, and were to be appointed at the Provincial Grand Festival the following month.

Lunch was to be at 1300, so there was plenty of time to circulate, meet old friends and catch up on the gossip. Reporter’s notebook and camera at the ready, I mixed and noted.

Paul O’Neill, Provincial Grand Mentor, told me he was going to make a presentation at lunch and it would be nice if I could film it.

I congratulated Nigel Fitz, Provincial Grand Almoner, on his forthcoming promotion to Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

I also caught up with Roy Brooks (seen here on the left, talking to Dale Abercrombie). Roy would be taking over from Nigel in April. “I am delighted and truly honoured to have been asked to be the Provincial Grand Almoner,” he said to me. “This is a responsibility that I know will bring its challenges, but I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity. I am especially keen to work alongside the Lodge and Chapter Almoners, make new friendships, and play a part in improving the lives of our members and the wider communities we serve.”

Being good lads, we all drifted into the Dining Room in good time, and at bang on 1300 hrs, led by Director of Ceremonies Graham Cuthbert, in walked our President, Neil Hamilton Johnstone, accompanied by Deputy President Phil South and the rest of Top Table. Graeme Wyles, Third Provincial Grand Principal, led Grace, and we then sat down to lunch of Vegetable Soup, Roast Lamb (or vegetarian alternative), Profiteroles, Cheese & Biscuits and Coffee.

At 1428 hrs, following Return Grace, our President proposed the Loyal Toasts to the King and to the Grand Master/Grand Superintendent. Just a little business at first: apologies, then submission of the Mess Accounts, which were accepted nem con.

Now it was time for two addresses. We used to regard the Province’s Library and Museum, said our President, as “a nice-to-have”; but it was much more than that. It was Freemasonry without barriers. It was held in high regard and was a veritable gateway into Freemasonry for the public. And who better to talk about it than the man in charge, former APGM Richard Wingett?

The Provincial Museum, said Richard, was opened on the 24th June 1933. The Premier Grand Lodge was formed on the 24th June 1717. The Canterbury Masonic Centre was established in the 1880s, also on the 24th June. And the significance of that date? It was the Feast of St John the Baptist, the Patron of Medieval Stonemasons. Did we all know that? Er – yes. (No – actually, I suspect most of us didn’t!)

Richard told us that the then PGM of Kent, the Lord Cornwallis, was the driver behind the creation of the Museum. Over the decades it had become a virtual shop window for Freemasonry, revealing its importance in the community and its embracing of all cultures and backgrounds. It was now very much on the English Tourist Trail, with up to 600 people visiting in a single day last year – the day of the Canterbury Medieval Pageant. Currently it had an Exhibition about the Royal Arch (Chapter). It was not just a museum but a source of History. It was well supported by local businesses and had the prestigious Arts Council England Accreditation. It was also establishing bursaries for various organisations including grants for scout uniforms and to the History Department at the University of Kent.

The Museum and Library had an extensive collection of artefacts and books, some books going back to the fifteenth century – and a gavel that was thousands of years old. A 1744 explanatory book of the Bible contained much that is found in Masonic Ritual today for both Craft and Chapter.

Richard reminded us that the Museum and Library couldn’t do what it did without its “fantastic bunch of volunteers” and was always looking for new recruits and financial support. An application form could be found on our tables …

Thanking Richard for his address, our President affirmed that the Museum and Library were indeed an essential part of our Province, and he encouraged us all to visit and enjoy the experience.

A quick update on our 2025 Festival: to warm applause, he told us that final figures showed that we had collectively raised more than £3.75 million.

On then, at 1453 hrs, to the second address. Up to the microphone strode Peter Rodd, a former APGM and Chair of the Trustees of the CEKFC – Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity. Peter reminded us that the CEKFC was OUR Charity. It was now match-funding in record numbers and would continue to do so. In the current year CEKFC would match fund up to £10,000 for each Area in support of a single project undertaken by Lodges and Chapters in that Area. In addition, it would match-fund at the rate of £250 per year for three years to any Lodge or Chapter supporting a youth group such as Scouting.

Peter also requested Lodges and Chapters to support CEKFC by donating the proceeds of one raffle or collection each year, perhaps the Installation or Christmas meeting, to enable CEKFC to continue its work.

And what better moment for Mo Morris, Charity Steward of Allington Lodge No.7086, to walk up to Peter and present a cheque for £1,000 from the Lodge to the CEKFC? Received with thanks by Peter, to warm applause from all of us.

Peter then presented a four-minute video showcasing the work of the CEKFC and the tributes paid to it by some of its many recipients. He reminded us that the annual CEKFC Presentation Event would be held at the University of Kent on Saturday 7th November. https://cornwallisekfc.org.uk/

1504 hrs. Time for a couple more items. The President drew our attention to the Centenary Hall Stone Appeal, announced as recently as the previous week, in which the United Grand Lodge of England wished to raise £100 million over ten years to assist the fraternity in day-to-day operations and in maintaining and restoring buildings of architectural significance. Our Province was now starting to plan accordingly, and he urged us to familiarise ourselves with the announcement.

Finally, as promised, Provincial Grand Mentor (Craft) Paul O’Neill popped up and was delighted to present a Certificate and lapel pin to his oppo in Chapter, Peter Bearman, for completing his Solomon Diploma. Thunderous applause all around.

Nearly time to go. Provincial Junior Grand Warden David Mantle made us laugh as he offered praise and best wishes to our President. Neil thanked us all for attending, reminded us that the next Meeting would be on Thursday 15th October, and wished us a safe journey home. We then rose as he and his top team retired from the dining room.

Now the Maidstone Masonic Centre is a lovely place for a meeting and has a big car park. Unfortunately, our Mess Meetings often end just as the school run is taking place. I find that it’s better to hang around for a while until the main rush is over. My “chauffeur” Stuart Skilton and I had been remarking on the professionalism and very high standards of the catering staff at Thyme 2 Dine – so we decided it would be nice to thank them again and see if they would gather for a group pic. And here they are!

Back row [L-R]: Sharon (Manager), Kate, Becky, Delia, Dara, Heather, Heike, Ria, Julia, Dawn, Cameron. Front Row [L-R]: Debs, Sue

Text: John Ray

Photos: Paul Goodwin, John Ray