News - Canterbury Council 65 Perform the Grand Tilers of Soloman followed by an Installation

On Friday 10th November the Canterbury Council 65 were delighted to welcome the District Grand Prefect R. W. Bro Brian Ward to their Installation meeting. Although this was an unofficial meeting the D.G.P. was delighted to be accompanied by many of the active officers for the year.

These officers included W.Bro.’s Geoff Whale (Dep. D.G.P.), Derek Wilkins (D.G.Sec.), David Barden (D.G.Tres.) and Howard Pashley (D.G.Chap.). In addition to the visiting district officers the D.G.P. was also extremely pleased to see so many visitors to the council. These included W. Bros Steve Davis, Lew Finnis and Roy Skelton and Bro.’s Ken Nun and the ever-present Peter Hayler.

Canterbury Council 65 Perform the Grand Tilers of Soloman followed by an Installation

Members of the Canterbury Council 65

Canterbury Council 65 Perform the Grand Tilers of Soloman followed by an Installation

Visitors to the Canterbury Council 65 meeting

Canterbury Council 65 Perform the Grand Tilers of Soloman followed by an Installation

Members of the Canterbury Council 65 with the visitors

The meeting date for the Canterbury Council just happened to coincide with the turning on of the Canterbury Christmas lights and a Parade through the streets of Canterbury. This inevitably caused also sorts of traffic problems and as a consequence a journey for the Worshipful Master W. Bro Michael Knowles which normally takes 30 minutes took nearly 90 and was therefore delayed in arriving. A volunteer was therefore found and the council was opened by W. Bro Derek Wilkins followed by salutations to the D.G.P. Some administrative matters were dealt with before W. Bro Derek retired from the council so that a ballot could be taken regarding him becoming a joining member of the Canterbury Council. This ballot proved in favour and Derek was presented with a copy of the council by-laws. W. Bro Derek thanked the brethren for accepting him as a member of the Council. He then handed the gavel back to its rightful owner W. Bro Michael Knowles who had just arrived.

Installing Master W.Bro. Michael Knowles

Bro. Pierre Ambrody brushing up on his ritual before the start of the meeting.

The lodge of St Lawrence the Martyr was then adjourned and all those who had not taken the degree of Grand Tylers of Solom were asked to retire. Bro.’s Lapage and Laker duly retired before the lodge was opened in the degree of Grand Tilers of Soloman.

The W.M then conducted the ceremony in a dignified manner ably assisted by his officers with Bro Peter Lapage acting as lead candidate. A special mention however must go to Bro. Pierre Ambrody who gave a superb performance as Conductor during the Ceremony.

On completion of the Ceremony of the Grand Tilers of Soloman the Lodge was resumed in the Lodge of St Lawrence the Martyr and the Worshipful Master proceeded to install Bro. Alan Wilson-Story into the chair in a dignified manner.

The newly installed Worshipful Master, W. Bro Alan Wilson-Storey then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers for the year in a very warm, friendly and sincere manner. The officers for the year are listed below:

Officers
	Worshipful Master	W. Bro Alan Wilson-Storey
	Immediate Past Master	W. Bro. Michael Knowles
	Senior Warden	W. Bro. Mark Bassant
	Junior Warden	Bro. Pierre Ambrody
	Chaplain	W. Bro. Howard Pashley
	Treasurer	W. Bro. Michael Hearn
	Secretary	W. Bro. Paddy Langdown
	D of C	W. Bro Tony Lewis
	Almoner	Vacant
	Senior Deacon	Bro. Peter Lapage
	Junior Deacon	Bro. Peter Laker, MBE
	Asst. D of C	W. Bro David Berry
	Inner Guard	W. Bro. Roger O‘Brien
	Tyler	W. Bro. Lew Finnis

W.Bro.'s Paddy Landown and Howard Pashley who were honoured at Grand Lodge

The D.G.P. with Bro's Peter Laker and Peter Lapage who took the Grand Tilers of Soloman Degree

During the risings the District Grand Prefect, thanked the newly installed Master and the brethren for their warm and friendly welcome given to him and his officers. He also took the opportunity to thank all of the visitors to the council that evening and stressed the importance of visiting other councils. He also thanked the brethren of the council for the donation of £400 to the District and confirmed that this along with other funds would be split evenly and presented to representatives of East and West Kent Craft in favour of their respective festivals at the Allied District meeting in February 2024.

The council was then closed in due form before the brethren retired to the bar before enjoying a superb festive board together in each other’s company.

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