In recent times the Deal Castle Chapter 1045 has deployed sterling efforts to address a lack of candidates and the unfortunate loss of many good members. These efforts have clearly paid off, with two recent Perfectees and a joining member swelling the ranks over the past few meetings and, for this meeting, a huge boost of a double Perfection.
Belmont Chapter 611, from Stelling Minnis, kindly assisted Deal Castle in the ceremonial logistics and provided the necessary additional ladder, roses, and letters, along with an extra seal. The visitors from Belmont Chapter making the trip down to Sondes Road included Ill. Bros Terry Tanner, Steve Carpenter, Bill Clague and Peter Herbert. Terry jumped in at the very last minute to cover Captain of the Guard. The two Chapters have many connections as a number of the founders of the Deal Chapter were from Belmont.
Other visitors received with great warmth were the Inspector General for East Kent, V.Ill. Bro Roger Waltham, Ill. Bro David Alexander, Recorder of both Ebbsfleet and Hubert de Burgh Chapters, along with the MWS from Ebbsfleet, Ill. Bro Ray Yates and Ill. Bro Alan Brown, Recorder from the Thanet Chapter. Deal Castle has made a concerted effort to visit other Chapters in the area and were extremely grateful for the reciprocal support on this important evening.
Waiting apprehensively outside the door of the Chapter were two Deal masons who were taken through the Intermediate Degrees by Ill. Bro Graham West. The 1st Point was delivered by Ill. Bro Adrian Friend. Poignant, as one of the candidates is his nephew. The Most Wise Sovereign, E&PP Kevin Smith, carefully advised the Inspector General after the 2nd Point that any movement towards one of the candidates should be done with extreme caution as he was a highly trained ex-Para!
The collars presented to both candidates were the very same collars that had been presented to their Proposers many years ago. Such a lovely piece of history and continuity.
The newly made Princes, E&P Bros Rod Maytum and Dan Carr were welcomed into the Chapter during the Third Point before the Chapter was closed and a delicious meal enjoyed downstairs.
What is the secret to this well-needed injection? Well, was just the way that luck falls or the consistent hard work of a few members of Deal Castle? Most likely a combination of the two.
With new candidates planned for 2025 things are looking very positive for the future of the Chapter. Why not come along and find out more?