On his recent visit to Ebbsfleet Chapter in sunny Ramsgate in June, our Inspector General took the opportunity to make a special presentation. It was an unannounced surprise to everybody when he rose during the Any Other Business item on the meeting agenda and requested the Director of Ceremonies to escort Illustrious Brother David Alexander 32° to him. The look of trepidation and surprise upon Ill.Bro David’s face was a sight to behold but he certainly had no need to fear what followed!
The Inspector General placed his hand reassuringly on Ill.Bro David’s arm and said that he simply wished to take the opportunity to offer a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ as a simple but sincere recognition and acknowledgement of David’s amazing engagement with, and contribution to, our beautiful Order, which is hugely valued. As a tangible token of that recognition and acknowledgement, the Inspector General then presented Ill.Bro David with a specially made symbolic Red Rose.
Although brief and without great fuss, the presentation of the Red Rose was clearly heartfelt and sincere and was met with spontaneous and extended applause from all present – and an unusual attack of speechlessness by Ill.Bro David!
This was the very first such Red Rose ever to be presented in this new endeavour by the Inspector General to occasionally make an informal, personal, and meaningful acknowledgement of a member’s exceptional engagement and commitment. There are but very few such Red Roses in existence. They have been specially made by hand exclusively for our Inspector General, by a craftsman based in Cornwall. They are made entirely from recycled drinks cans, so are friendly to the environment.