Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and Districts and Councils Overseas
 District Grand Council of Kent buffer News:
A Record for the Roy Albert John William Council 273?
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On Saturday the 13th December 2025 twenty members of the Roy Albert John Wiliams Council 273 held their Christmas meeting at the Masonic Centre in Gillingham. Their work for the day was to carry out the ceremony of the Red Cross of Babylon.

 Whilst this Past Masters Council is used to having many candidates come along to their meetings this meeting would surely prove to be a record. No less than “14” candidates turned up to have the degree conferred upon them, ten from the District of Kent, three from the District of London and one from the District of Surrey!

These were Bros. Alan Camkin, Adrian Grant, Bob Hadlow, David Lucas (London), Didier Hannaert, Fred Ayling (London), Gavin Crickett, Ian Gallehawk, Keith Beavers, Mark Greatorex (London), Norman Playford (Surrey), Phil Gurney, Simon Baker and Tony Chrisholm.

Photograph of candidates L-R Bros. Gavin Crickett, Fred Ayling (London), Simon Baker, Bob Hadlow, Keith Beavers, Mark Greatorex (London), Phil Gurney, Alan Camkin, Didier Hannaert, David Lucas (London), Tony Chrisholm, Norman Playford (Surrey), Adrian Grant and Ian Gallehawk Photograph of candidates L-R: Bros. Gavin Crickett, Fred Ayling (London), Simon Baker, Bob Hadlow, Keith Beavers, Mark Greatorex (London), Phil Gurney, Alan Camkin, Didier Hannaert, David Lucas (London), Tony Chrisholm, Norman Playford (Surrey), Adrian Grant and Ian Gallehawk

Following the traditional full English breakfast which was enjoyed by many the brethren retired to the lodge room. The Worshipful Master, W. Bro David Green, then opened the Council in the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as a true record and the remaining council business attended to.

The Lodge was then adjourned so that the lodge room could be prepared as a Royal Arch Council for the ceremony of the Red Cross of Babylon. The following officers from the council were appointed to work the first part of the ceremony:

  Reverend Prelate S.K.S. Howard Doe
  Second Principal S.K.S. Derek Wilkins
  Jewish Guide S.K.S. Brian Ward
  Capt. of the Temple Guard S.K.S. Nick Baker
  Director of Ceremonies S.K.S. Steve Davis
  Asst D.C. S.K.S. David Pugh
  1st Jewish Guide S.K.S. Jason Cameron Potter
  2nd Jewish Guide S.K.S. Nigel Cash
  Sentinel S.K.S. Roy Skelton
     
W.Bros Wilkins, Doe and Woolcott. The Principle officers for Part 1 of the Red Cross of Babylon Degree W.Bros Wilkins, Doe and Woolcott. The Principle officers for Part 1 of the Red Cross of Babylon Degree

Fourteen brethren were then introduced into the Royal Arch Council within the Red Cross of Babylon with Bro. Phil Gurney acting as the lead candidate. The ceremony was carried out in an exemplary manner by W. Bro Howard Doe who was ably assisted by his officers. Upon completion of the first part of the ceremony the candidates were asked to retire whilst the lodge room was reorganised as the Persian court for the second part of the ceremony. The following officers were put into place before the candidates were reintroduced into the council with Bro Gurney again acting as lead candidate:

  Thrice Illustrious Sovereign S.K.S. David Green
  Master of Household S.K.S. Jake Jackson
  Master of Cavalry S.K.S. Geoff Whale
  Master of Infantry S.K.S. Bron Jakes
  Director of Ceremonies S.K.S. Steve Davis
  Asst D.C. S.K.S. David Pugh
  Capt. Of the Persian Guard S.K.S. Tony Maslin
  1st Persian Guard S.K.S. Jason Cameron Potter
  2nd Persian Guard S.K.S. Nigel Cash
  Lecture S.K.S. Steve Davis
     
W.Bros Jackson, Green and Whale. The Principle officers for Part 2 of the Red Cross of Babylon Degree W.Bros Jackson, Green and Whale. The Principle officers for Part 2 of the Red Cross of Babylon Degree

The ceremony which was conducted by the Thrice Illustrious Master David Green, ably assisted by his officers was nothing less than first class and concluded with the lecture delivered by the Director of Ceremonies Steve Davis.

The Persian Court was then closed and the Lodge was resumed in the Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr.

The remaining business of the council, which included electing a new Master (R.W.Bro. Brian Ward) and treasurer (W.Bro. Colin Tunbridge) for the year was attended to. Both of the elected brethren responded positively replying that they would be delighted to serve the Council. The Worshipful Master, W. Bro. David Green wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year before he closed the lodge.

The Principle officers of the Roy Albert John Williams Council supported by the brethren of the Council along with their guests and visitors The Principle officers of the Roy Albert John Williams Council supported by the brethren of the Council along with their guests and visitors
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