On June 2nd, 1966, the Centenary of the Lodge was celebrated at an Emergency Meeting held at the Bromley Masonic Hall. W.Bro.W.H.Stephenson, the W.Master, presided and was supported by the following officers:-

W.Bro. WILLIAM HAROLD STEPHENSON

W.Bro. CECIL HARRY KINGSTON

Bro. S.P.VEASEY Senior Warden

Bro. Comdr. E.P.C.MARDELL, R.N.V.R. Junior Warden

W.Bro. G.A.T.VICKERS, P.P.G.Supt.Wks.(Kent) Chaplain

W.Bro. W.J.BASING, P.A.G.D.C.,P.P.G.R.(Kent) Treasurer

W.Bro. F.W.RUSH Secretary

W.Bro. J.D.RICHES, P.P.G.R.(Kent) Director of Ceremonies

Bro. J.L.PAYNE Senior Deacon

Bro. C.E.W.BRUCE Junior Deacon

W.Bro. E.J.MILNER, P.P.A.G.D.C.(Kent) Asst. Dir. of Ceremonies

W.Bro. L.A.BELL, P.P.J.G.D.(Kent) Almoner

Bro. G.WHITEHEAD Organist

W.Bro. F.G.RICHES Asst. Secretary

Bro. A.H.C.GOODALE Inner Guard

W.Bro. R.T.POTTER Senior Steward

Bro. T.C.H.WINUP Steward

Bro. F.W.PALMER Steward

Bro. F.N.WEBSTER Steward

Bro. L.J.COLLETT Steward

Bro. H.A.SIMMONS Steward

Bro. J.P.PAIGE Steward

Bro. T.L.FENTON Steward

W.Bro. A.E.ELDRIDGE, P.P.A.G.D.C.(Kent) Tyler

It was a brilliant occasion, and the attendance numbered 171. The gathering was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master and other members of the Executive of the Province who accompanied him were:

W.Bro.Sydney Day, Deputy Provincial Grand Master; W.Bro.Brig. J.M.Stebbings, W.Bro.E.D.Y.Grasby, W.Bro. Lieut. Col. D.P.Iggulden, W.Bro. the Rev. Canon P.Churton Collins, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters; W.Bro. J.C.H.Twallin, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies; W.Bro.A.McKenzie-Smith, Provincial Grand Secretary; and W.Bro.W.H.Craig, Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary

The Provincial Grand Master was received with the ceremonial appropriate to his rank and then followed the Minutes of the Consecration and Installation Meetings dated 1st June 1866. Few could have heard these echoes from the past without an appreciation of the historic mission of Freemasonry, a feeling of gratitude at the spirit which moved the Founders to establish the Lodge and of thankfulness at the steady progress of the Lodge throughout the century of its existence.

With the presentation by the Provincial Grand Master of the Centenary Warrant, the gap of 100 years was masonically bridged. Then, when Lord Cornwallis told the gathering that the apron he was wearing was that which Lord Holmesdale used when he was Provincial Grand Master for Kent the sense of historic continuity impressed itself on the minds of all present.

The oration was delivered by W.Bro.Rev.Canon Peter Churton Collins in his capacity of Past Provincial Grand Chaplain of the Province and afterwards there was a delightful commemorative presentation of Lodge regalia. W.Bro.E.S.P.Thirkell, the "Father" of the Lodge and senior Past Master, made a gift of a new collar, with renovated chain of office, and new gauntlets for the use of Masters of the Lodge. As stated in the preceding pages, W.Bro.Thirkell spent several years in America, but retained his membership of the Lodge and on his return to this country resumed his active association with it. His gift demonstrated his continued affection for the Lodge and its Brethren.

The Lodge of Instruction provided new collars and gauntlets for the Senior and Junior Wardens and these were formally handed over by the Preceptor, W.Bro.J.D.Riches.

Donations of a hundred guineas to each of the Royal Masonic Institutions and to the Royal Masonic Hospital were voted, on the proposition of Bro.W.J.Basing. The proceeds of the Charity Box were for the Provincial Grand Master's 1970 Festival Fund.

After the closing of the Lodge, the Brethren adjourned for dinner. Future historians may be interested in the menu, which was:-

Hors d'Oeuvres varies

Consommé Royale

Fillet of Sole Bonne Femme

Mushroom and Sweetbread Vol-au-Vent

Lemon Sorbet Russian Cigarette

Braised Aylesbury Duckling aux Cerises

Orange Salad

Garden Peas

Duchesse Potatoes

Scotch Woodcock

Cheese Buicuits

Coffee

Confitures

Wines: Chablis, Rheinhessen, Côtes de Bordeaux, Port

Cigars

The customary Masonic toasts were duly honoured. That of the Cornwallis Lodge was proposed by the Provincial Grand Master and responded to by W.Bro.E.S.P.Thirkell. The "Guests" was proposed by W.Bro.W.J.Basing and replied to by W.Bro.L.H.Powell.