THANET FREEMASONS HAVE COMMUNITY AT THEIR HEART

For the past 2 years the Group 8 (Birchington, Westgate, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate) Committee of Coordinators organised a Late Summer Get Together at a local Scout Group.

A chance for us all within the Group, family and friends to meet up at a social event before returning to our Masonic Year. The Get Together takes the form of a BBQ combined with side activities for children and grown-ups alike. Oh! And a raffle. 2024 however saw the addition of a Coconut Shy a Bouncy Castle along with a ‘Human Fruit Machine’.

Invited, as guests, are members of the charities, we, as a Group, have supported. The Clinical Trial Unit, Community Lifesavers, and as an ongoing initiative, organisers of the Hygiene Bank. We feel that by adopting this initiative we show the charities how
we raise(d) money on their behalf.

To facilitate the event, we use the facilities of the 1st Garlinge Scout Group, situated in the grounds of Hartsdown Park Margate. FREE!

One good turn deserves another

To show our appreciation we asked the Scout Committee what they would like as part of a ‘Wish List’. The request for a Defibrillator was uppermost in their mind, and from the funds raised at our ‘Group’ events we were able to purchase a Defibrillator and a wall mountable case for it.

The Troop’s 2024 AGM was looming, and their HQ is now not large enough to cater for the projected numbers attending.
Our two committees working together organised the AGM combining a ‘Bums on Seats’ function. The AGM was held at the Margate Masonic Centre without charge.

The Scout Committee organised the ‘Bums on Seats’, raffle and a nominal entrance fee for those attending. Members of the Group 8 Committee of Coordinators organised a presentation of the Defibrillator during the AGM. The presentation was made by Ray Hazelton (Deputy Chairman) and supported by other members of the Team and members of Porta Maris Lodge.

A Quiz, written by the Group Chairman and presented by Paul Chute (Group Charity Coordinator) , and a buffet was prepared by the centre’s caterer (various flavours of chicken – chips and green salad). Are you telling us there were no toasted Marshmallows? Ed.

A team from the Porta Maris Lodge also joined in support and the profit from the bar takings went to the Centre. (The Bar was manned by Maurice Kennett (Group 8’s Committee of Coordinator Secretary) profit on the evening totalled £300 which went to the Scout Troop. A total of 74 people attended which, as can be imagined covered a varied age range.

Several adults showed interest in the fraternity and others did not know that Freemasonry existed in Thanet. A tour of the Centre’s Temple was met with enthusiasm and enjoyed.

The younger ones participating may remember how their Scouting was enhanced by our involvement and may later reflect back and make an important enquiry. Who knows?

The Scout Committee have asked for our facilities again in 2025 with a similar social function and buffet. WE have the use of the Scout HQ facilities for our Late Summer Get Together in 2025.

A Win! Win! Situation.

Jim Mason
Group 8 Chairman