News - The Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 Installation Meeting

On Monday the 24 July 2023 the Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 held its Installation meeting at Manor Road Masonic Centre in Chatham. A total of thirty-two brethren, which included sixteen visitors, attended the meeting.

The Brethren of the Roy Albert John Williams Council and their guests

The Worshipful Master, W. Bro Jason Cameron-Potter, opened the Council in the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr ably assisted by his officers. The minutes of the previous meeting were then confirmed as a true record. Pursuant of a Notice of Motion given at the previous meeting, the By-Laws were amended to show that future Council meetings would be held at the Gillingham Masonic Centre. A ballot was then taken to admit W. Bros David Barden, Howard Doe and Martin Woolcott as joining members. Having been unanimously approved by the brethren they were presented with the new by-laws of the Council by the Worshipful Master. To complete the business of the Council the accounts were approved with a vote of thanks given to the Treasurer and the account examiners.

The Worshipful Master. W. Bro Jason Cameron-Potter, then installed his successor W. Bro. Jake Jackson into the chair of the Council in a most splendid manor. The new Worshipful Master then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers for the year in a very sincere and humorous manner.

Officers
	Senior Warden	W. Bro. Derek Wilkins
	Junior Warden	W. Bro. David Green
	Chaplain	W. Bro. Howard Pashley
	Treasurer	W. Bro. Colin Tunbridge
	Secretary	W. Bro. Lew Finnis
	D of C	W. Bro. Steve Davies
	Almoner	W. Bro. Roger Odd (absent)
	Senior Deacon	R.W. Bro. Brian Ward
	Junior Deacon	W. Bro. Geoff Whale
	Asst. D of C	W. Bro. Peter Dowling (absent)
	Asst. Secretary	W. Bro. Mark Woolcott
	Organist	Vacant
	Inner Guard	W. Bro. Mike Plant
	1st Steward	W. Bro. Roland Wade (absent)
	2nd Steward	W. Bro. Tony Waspe (absent)
	Tyler	W. Bro. Roy Skelton

The council was then adjourned so that the room could be prepared to carry out the ceremony of the Grand High Priests. The following officers from the council were appointed to carry out the Degree of the Grand High Priest.

	E. Comp. David Green	Most Excellent President (1st Part)
	E. Comp. Colin Tunbridge	Most Excellent President (2nd Part)
	E. Comp. Derek Wilkins	Vice President
	E. Comp. Howard Pashley	Chaplain
	E. Comp. Steve Daveis	Master of Ceremonies
	E. Comp. Brian Ward	Conductor
	E. Comp. Steve Davies	Assistant Master of Ceremonies
	E. Comp. Geoff Whale	Herald
	E. Comp. Michael Plant	Lecturer
	E. Comp. Roy Skelton	Sentinel

The convention of the Holy Order of the Grand High Priests was then opened by E. Comp David Green. The following candidates were then prepared to be Admitted, Anointed, Consecrated and Set Apart to the Office of Grand High Priest

	Comp Peter Lapage	Canterbury Council 65
	Comp Reg Pritchard	White Cliffs of Dover Council 210
	Comp Brian Tyler	Comp Brian Tyler Invicta Council 54
	Comp Peter Hayler	Paddock Wood Council 88

E. Comp David Green then performed the first part of the ceremony in an exemplary manner, ably assisted by his officers, with Comp Peter Lapage from the Canterbury Council No 65 acting as the lead candidate. Upon completion of the first part of the ceremony the tabernacle was rearranged to allow the second part of the ceremony to be undertaken.

The Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 Installation Meeting

Those Brethren who took part in the Ceremony with the candidates

The Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 Installation Meeting

Bro.'s Lapage, Pritchard, Hayler and Tyler

E. Comp Colin Tunbridge, ably assisted by his officers. then completed the ceremony in an exemplary manner with Comp Brian Tyler from the Invicta Council 54 acting as the lead candidate. The lecture was given in a faultless manner by E. Comp Michael Plant before the convention of the Holy Order of Grand High Priests was closed by E. Comp Colin Tunbridge. All of the candidates were congratulated by the District Grand Prefect, RW. Bro Brian Ward and his Deputy W. Bro. Geoff Whale and by their Most Excellent Presidents, W. Bro David Green and Colin Tunbridge.

The Roy Albert John Williams Council No 273 Installation Meeting

The DPG R. W. Bro. Brian Ward with his Deputy W. Bro Geoff Whale and the Candidates

Following the Ceremony, the room was restored to allow the business of the Council to be completed in the degree of St Lawrence the Martyr.

In the risings The District Grand Prefect asked the brethren of the Council to support the social event being held on the 2 September in Folkestone and asked that they sponsor it by pledging £100. To the delight of the District Grand Prefect the Council voted overwhelmingly to support the event and also bought two horses at £5 each which would be called ‘Just Jake’ and ‘Just Brian’.

The Council was then closed, and the brethren retired to the bar for refreshments and conversation- before dinning together during a lively Festive Board.

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