Well maybe to support the Three Jays run from the East Kent Provincial office in Whitstable to Rochester Castle.
Its not our usual direction of travel but its all in a good cause to run from the Provincial office in Whitstable to our Lodge in Rochester via some of the friendliest lodges in Kent!

The three youngest officers in Rochester Castle lodge Jake, James and Joe will be taking on this challenge over three days from 25th to 27th of April all in support of their lodges efforts to swell the coffers for the East Kent Festival 2025.

They will set off bright and early on Thursday 25th of April for the first leg from Whitstable running through the Kent countryside to Sittingbourne just shy of 15 miles it’s the longest leg of the run and a significant effort to get the action started.

Day two sees only a marginal reduction in the trial ahead, with the distance down to a challenging twelve and a half mile run from Sittingbourne Masonic centre to Maidstone Masonic centre at Tovil. Despite all three runners being experienced none of them have undertaken a challenge like this day after day.
Day presents the last leg of the run and is the shortest but hardest in terms of terrain and inclination as anyone who has driven from Maidstone to Rochester will know as the ground rises 120m over less than a mile so a pretty steep uphill run followed my a more gentle knee crunching downhill homeward stretch back to sea level in Rochester.

As James points out “we will be running up dirt trails and going through Boxley, but it is an even steeper incline and I assume we are going to be pretty fatigued by day three and if there has been any rain its going to be potentially treacherous under foot”

Its worth pointing out at this juncture the fact that James running anywhere is something of a minor miracle and testament both to the skills of the NHS orthopaedic surgeons in Pembury and the National orthopaedic centre in Stanmore as well as his personal determination not to be defined by a life changing injury.

So the motivation to travel from East to West may be masonically contrary and the thought of running nearly 60km equally contrary to some, but for the three young officers of Rochester Castle lodge it is the chance to prove something to themselves and each other, as well as at the same time, raising some much needed funds for the East Kent 2025 Festival, so that hopefully, many other people get support in rising and surmounting their own individual challenges they have to face on a day basis through all the good works the Festival is supporting.

Rochester Castle lodge would also like to thank all the Brethren of St Michaels Lodge 1273 in Sittingbourne for their support and hospitality in opening the Lodge at the end of the first day to refresh the runners as they arrive. Thanks brethren great inter lodge support from East Kent masons!

HOW YOU CAN GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO THE THREE J’S

If you would wish to support the Three Jays, financially, athletically or as part of the welcoming group at Sittingbourne or Tovil please contact Ian Rowan on Irowan@btinternet.com.

Our link for donations is here: bank transfer to 

Rochester Castle Lodge 

Sort Code 60-21-02

Account Number 48301833

All proceeds to East Kent 2025 Festival and Masonic Charitable Foundation.