Kent Chapter Rose Croix no.1071 is a Past Sovereigns’ Chapter, which although based in the District of West Kent, has a very happy history of East Kent Inspectors General becoming Sovereigns of the Chapter. V.Ill.Bro Les Denyer was the first in 2005, followed in 2011 by V.Ill.Bro Tony Denne. Then, on Tuesday 16th April 2024, at the meeting in Wrotham, history repeated itself once again as V.Ill.Bro Roger Waltham was Enthroned as the Chapter’s Most Wise Sovereign for the year ahead.
It was a very happy occasion with every brother present demonstrating the friendship that underlines everyone’s enjoyment of this very fraternal and caring Order. As the Officers for the year were appointed, evenly spread from either side of the border, it also underlined the close union and special relationship that the Districts of East and West Kent share.
The meeting was very well attended and the Inspector General of West Kent, V.Ill.Bro Graham Higgs, took the opportunity to inform everyone that he would be stepping down from his role at the end of May and went on to announce that his successor would be the very popular and extremely well known Ill.Bro Mark Eyles-Thomas, a former Deputy Provincial Grand Master in the Province of West Kent.
Having made the announcement V.Ill.Bro Higgs went on to share some happy memories of his tenure, following which he received a lengthy, standing ovation from all present and many comments were made that he would be sorely missed after having dedicated ten years to the role since his appointment in 2014. The announcement that Ill.Bro Eyles-Thomas would be following him as Inspector General was equally well received by the brethren, who were clearly pleased that he has been chosen by The Supreme Council to take on the role.
So, it was indeed a very special evening on many levels, proving beyond doubt to all, the happy and beneficial effect of crossing the usual boundaries!