The recent meeting of the St Mary in Ashford Chapter Rose Croix No 802, held on 12th March 2026, marked the 50th anniversary since its Consecration. As you can imagine on this special occasion, which was also the Enthronement meeting, the Inspector General for East Kent V.III Bro Roger Waltham 33° was delighted to attend.
We were all happy to witness the Perfection of Bro Daniel Morrison who afterwards said “what an amazing experience he had coming into our friendly and wonderful order“.
E&P Bro Derek Tompsett 18° was Enthroned as the new Most Wise Sovereign for the ensuing year in a very capable manner by the outgoing Sovereign, E&P Bro Anton Banham 18°.
With more to come on the agenda on this special occasion, V.III Bro Roger Waltham 33° presented a Supreme Council Certificate to E&P Bro David Hess 18°. You may remember that there was a recent article published on the website recalling that E&P Bro David was the first candidate of a different faith to that of a Trinitarian Christian to be Perfected into the St Mary in Ashford Chapter.
The Chapter and District Recorder III Bro Trevor Youens 31° then gave a summary of the Consecration meeting which was held in March 1976. We were taken back to that year, where the UK experienced a heat wave and the driest summer for over 200 years. Harold Wilson resigned as the Prime Minister and was replaced by James Callaghan. The Ford Fiesta car was launched and Brotherhood of Man won the Eurovision song contest! While all this was happening on Tuesday 5th March 1976 at 11:30am at Duke Street, St James, the St Mary in Ashford Rose Croix Chapter was Consecrated. Included amongst the many dignitaries in attendance from the Supreme Council were the Inspector General of the District of Kent, V.III Bro F Friday 33° and guests from the Kingstone Chapter No 236, Thanet Chapter No 415, Oxford & Cambridge University Chapter No 45, Belmont Chapter No 611 and Archbishop Courtney Chapter No 246.
Once all business was concluded and the Third Point conducted the Chapter was duly closed. We all then made our way upstairs for dinner where the tables were set so that we could all see each other without having to stretch our necks. I think you can tell by the featured photograph at the top of this article that everyone had a wonderful time after “Good Ritual” with “Good Fellowship” and enjoying Good Food.