10:30, 20th May 2023 – George Vaults, Rochester
Attendees – John Beattie, Andrew Berry, Trevor Carter, David Clarke, Steve Colleran, Steven Dawson, Steven Ford, Keith
Gillis, Fraser Gregory, Howard Griffin, Jimmy Jones, Stephen Llewellyn, Ronan McCarthy, Paul Miller, David Morgan, Steven Nicholson, Henry Padgham, Sean Palmer, Mark Prince, Iain Smith, Josh Stephens, Peter Stewart, Carl Streets, Antonino Surace, Malcolm Triggs, Edward Wonfor, Andrew Yeates
Apologies –Mark Costelloe, Paul McGuirk, Ronan Georgin, Charlie Vanstone, Paul Wicks
Chairman, Howard Griffin:
Brethren and Light Blues,
Welcome to you all this morning. It is my absolute pleasure to deliver my Chairman’s report for this, the first East Kent Light Blues Brothers AGM to be held face to face. Our first AGM last year, took place online and it is certainly good to be creating a new ‘normal’ now.
Over the past year, the East Kent Light Blues Brothers has seen the incorporation of the Old Roffensians’ Lodge becoming a place where our Light Blues, as well as our ‘past’ Light Blues can meet and continue to enjoy each others’ company. Our Deputy Chairman and Secretary, Andrew Berry has had a fantastic year as the Worshipful Master, and we look forward to our Treasurer, Fraser Gregory taking over the helm in June. This Lodge will allow our past members, as well as current members to continue to meet up. On this note, my congratulations goes to Milan Antonijevic of St Augustine Lodge, Steven Bishop of Queenborough Lodge, James DeSave of Agricola Lodge, Harry Harrison of Monckton Lodge, Chris Hind of Crane Lodge, Peter Lepage of Christopher Marlowe Lodge and Ian Parker of St Michael’s Lodge, all of whom have been honoured with Provincial Grand Ranks.
So many congratulations to you all…an Old Roffensian’s Lodge joining form will be with you all very soon!
This year, in addition to the formation of the EKLBB Lodge, we have hosted two visits to the Quarterly Communications meetings at Freemasons’ Hall in London, where on one occasion the Provincial Grand Master, the Provincial Executive and Grand Officers joined us afterwards for lunch at the Swan Inn nearby. We have also staged a ten-pin bowling event, an archery taster session, and put on an anniversary breakfast in Canterbury. It really has been a busy year!
However, let me take you all back to the summer of 2019, when most people would have guessed that Covid was some sort of animal or reasonably high scoring work in Scrabble. It was then that a small group of us gathered together in Whitstable to discuss rejuvenating East Kent’s New and Young Masons Club. Instrumental at this meeting were David Graeme, David Alexander, Mark Costelloe, and Trevor Carter, all of whom provided the very welcome support of the Province of East Kent in restarting the Light Blues Club. Without them, we all would not be here this morning. In February 2020, the revitalised club was officially launched and since then the East Kent Light Blues Brothers continues to grow and evolve. This evolution also includes the membership of the committee, all of whom I am indebted to for their hard work and support over these past almost four years.
Firstly, thanks must go to our past committee members, including Ashley English, Barry Jalalon, Mark Ravenwood, Matthew Reynolds, Alex Rhoades, and Ian Thomas who all played a part in getting the club up and running. Continuing the evolution of the committee other members have also contributed over the years.
I would like to thank our long-standing current committee members, Andrew Berry, Ronan Georgin, Fraser Gregory, Neil Marshall, Mark Prince, and Jamie Symon. My thanks also go to Paul Mcguirk and Milan Antonijevic, both of whom are stepping away from the committee as of today. Paul, in particular, has been instrumental in stepping in and keeping the website and communications going for the club over the past few years.
But as we lose two members, we have also welcomed a number of new members of the committee this year drafting in Nicholas Babicz, Steve Colleran, Steven Ford, Nick Price, Charlie Vanstone, and Andy Yates – all of whom are going to continue the great work we have started.
Many thanks to you all and I wish you all the best of luck with your work in the future!
When we began this journey in 2019, I’m pretty sure that none of us anticipated how popular and how big this club would become. We now have around 370 members across the Province. But of course there is always more work to be done. There are still many Light Blue Masons out there that need to hear about what we are doing. We need to continue to think up new idea and put on ever more engaging and entertaining events and occasions for you guys. But most of all we need to continue to be a club that all of you are proud to be members of, and I have been very proud to be Chairman of.
Treasurer, Fraser Gregory:
Fraser has taken over from Ian Thomas and now has access to the account. Current balance is £1,157, with a refund of £250 due from the White Swan in London (for cancelled Quarterly Communications visit in September). We are also holding stock of Club Polo Shirts (quantity of 25 shirts in stock at £15 each) £375.00.
Deputy Chairman / Secretary, Andrew Berry:
Andrew has looked after the administrative side of the club for the since the restart in 2019 and subsequently took on the Deputy Chairman role for the club. He was instrumental in the takeover of the Old Roffensian Lodge 8006 and became the first EKLBB Master last year.
He has been very lucky to have such a great team working on the committee. A special thanks to Steven Ford for all his hard work with emails and communications.
Election of Officers:
- Chairman – Andrew Berry
- Deputy Chairman – Steven Ford
- Secretary – Ronan Georgin
- Treasurer – Fraser Gregory
New Chairman, Andrew Berry, thanked Club President, Howard Griffin, for his support and dedication in getting the club relaunched and active over the last 3 years. Its current success is very much down to his hard work and co-ordination of the club committee.
Events Co-ordinator, Mark Prince:
Thanked the members for their support of the various events that we have held over the previous 12 months. The joint Ladies night with Old Roffensian Lodge was very well supported and Fraser will be looking to arrange a night for his year in the chair in the lodge.
We are constantly looking for feedback and new ideas for events that the members would like to take part in. Any member with ideas should forward them on to the events team for consideration and also if they wish to be involved in organising them.
The club is happy to help support/promote local micro events, should any member wish to put one on. Steve Colleran arranged and held a successful event in Ramsgate earlier this year.
The next event for the club will be Paintball on 29th July in Newington, will start at 9:30 and end at 13:00. Price is £35, which includes all equipment hire and 500 paint balls. Full details to be released after the meeting. Bookings via the website.
The West Kent Light Blues have invited the EKLBB members to join them in a game of Cricket on 13th August in Meopham. Cost will be £18 including food. Details to be made available for booking on the website
Up & Coming Events:
Paintball 29th July in Newington
Cricket 13th August in Meopham against West Kent Light Blues
Old Roffensian Lodge / Light Blues Lodge:
The light blues takeover of the Old Roffensian Lodge took place in June last year as planned. There have been a number of successful events held by the lodge with good support from club members. Club treasurer, Fraser Gregory, will be taking over the chair of the lodge in June and promises another exciting year of meetings.
Friday 16th June 17:00, Gundulph Square – Installation meeting
Saturday 16th September Ramsgate – lodge meeting and visit to the caves Saturday 18th November Sheerness – Port tasting evening
Saturday 16th March 2024 – Franklyn Rooms & Medway Queen visit
Communications:
The club Ambassador Scheme is up and running and we are looking for members who would like to represent the club in their local masonic centres. Members are encouraged to promote the club and organise local events.
Steve Colleran is taking over the lead for communications on the committee.
AOB:
New/replacement Pin badges can be purchased for £5.00 Club Polo shirts are available for £15.00
Sizes available are Small – 5 in stock
Medium – 5 in stock Large – 5 in stock
X Large – 6 in stock XX Large – 2 in stock 3XL – 2 in stock
All available for purchase via the club committee.
Steve Colleran is looking into getting collared white shirts with the club logo available. Proposed price is £22.00. Initial requests to be collected so an order can be created.
Suggestions for other events from Josh Stephens – Amateur golf day with an introductory lesson from a Pro. Coach trip to Bruges. Fishing day in Maidstone.
Club Chairman, Andrew Berry thanked all the members for supporting the breakfast meeting and AGM, and looked forward to joining them for a pint afterwards in the beer garden.
Date and Time of next meeting – TBC May 2024
Meeting closed 11:30
