The Ethelbert Rose Croix Chapter 82 which meets in Canterbury were delighted to welcome the Inspector General for East Kent, V. Ill. Bro Roger Waltham 33° and our District Recorder Ill. Bro Trevor Youens 31°. Along with many guests and visitors they received a very warm welcome from the Most Wise Sovereign and the Chapter members and all witnessed three “doubles” during the evening.
The first of these was a double Perfection for Bros Martin Brown and William Beaney. After the ceremony the Inspector General gave a personal welcome to the two newly made Princes where he emphasized the many strengths that Rose Croix has, including, love, care, and compassion for your fellow man.
The second double of the evening was indeed a rare event where Long Service Certificates were presented by the Inspector General to III. Bros Grahame Whittlesea 31° and Michael Ryan 31° for their respective 41 and 40 years as Princes Rose Croix. We were taken back during the presentation to the time of 1983 and 1984, reminiscing the events that took place and made news and is now embedded in the rich history of our country.
Obviously both III. Bros Grahame and Michael were delighted to receive the certificates in recognition of their long service and duly replied expressing how wonderful the Order is and how much it means to them. Also of note is the rare coincidence that both III. Bros had attended the same school together at the same time at the Strand Grammar, Tulse Hill, London and both were also in the Army Cadets together. They had lost contact many years ago when they moved away. Fate or destiny brought them together a year ago when they were sat at dinner following a meeting and began talking about their early years!
The third double of the evening was again in the hands of our Inspector General who had the pleasure of presenting two 18° Certificates to E&P Princes Mark Darley and Jason Wright, who were equally delighted to receive them.
After the meeting there was an excellent meal where the newly made Princes expressed how absolutely delighted they were to have joined our wonderful order and that they had certainly felt the fundamental principles thereof. Thus concluded the “Evening of Doubles”, a very memorable and enjoyable meeting where all experienced “Good Ritual, Good Fellowship, and Good Food”.