SoR 9922 – Community Programme Update

Since it was founded in 2016, one of Spirit of Rugby Lodge’s prime objectives has been to reach out to the Kent Rugby Community. The funding of initiatives to promote school and club rugby for children and young adults is one of the Lodge’s main aims.
See: http://freemasonsrugby.com/community/

The 2018/19 Season has seen the programme reach new heights and allowed the Lodge to establish working relationships with local Rugby Clubs.

Folkestone RFC

On the 30th March 2019 Worshipful Master Robert Mitchell and a team of Lodge members paid a visit to Folkestone RFC to watch their match against rivals Crowborough. They joined host Ivor Spencer and 130 other diners for a pre-match luncheon, before making a donation of £200 to assist with the purchase of much needed equipment for the Club’s Under 8’s side.

Thanet Wanderers RFC

A week later Matt Jury and Bill Higgins (I’m beginning to see a pattern here…. Ed) went along to Thanet Wanderers RFC in Broadstairs where Spirit of Rugby Lodge No 9922 was the Match Ball Sponsor for their 1st XV Match against Old Cofeians RFC

You can read Senior Warden Matt Jury‘s accounts of these visits by visiting the East Kent Provincial site at …

https://eastkentfreemasons.org/2019/04/06/sor-visit-folkestone-rfc-30th-march-2019/

and…

https://eastkentfreemasons.org/2019/04/08/sor-visit-thanet-wanderers/

Don’t forget you can keep up to date with all Spirit of Rugby Lodge #9922’s Latest News by subscribing at the top of this page.


Kyran Bracken MBE to visit Spirit of Rugby Lodge No 9922

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We are delighted to announce that on the 26th May we will be joined by 2003 World Cup winning squad member and award winning Speaker Kyran Bracken MBE, for a fund raising Sunday Lunch in aid of Wooden Spoon – the Children’s Charity of Rugby.

The Event will be held at the Cornwallis Suite, which is situated just off Courtenay Road in Maidstone, Kent ME15 6QS beginning at 12:30.

Kyran, has generously agreed to donate his time to speak at this lunch as part of his “Speak-a-thon”, a series of events to help raise funds for the Wooden Spoon Rugby Charity,

Enjoy a 3 course lunch (plus cheese) followed by a Charity Raffle & Auction with an opportunity to win some exclusive prizes. Then sit back and listen as our very special guest speaker takes to the microphone.

Tickets are available at just £30 each plus a booking fee and can be obtained by clicking HERE


Spirit of Rugby Lodge No 9922 celebrates its second anniversary.

Andy Stevens
Andy Stevens

The members of the Spirit of Rugby Lodge No 9922 and a host of guests (seventy-nine in all), gathered in Maidstone, Kent, on 19th February 2018 to celebrate the Lodge’s second anniversary and to install Andy Stevens as its third Master.

He was installed in fine fashion by his predecessor Matt Mitchell in a ceremony that, although “in accordance with antient custom”, incorporated many of the unique features which are characteristic of this very special lodge.

Special guest of the day was Stephen Salisbury,  the appointed representative of the Provincial Grand Master,  who was welcomed (several times actually….) by the Master.

Having attained the Chair, the new Master then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers.  He paid particular tribute to outgoing Secretary Mike Gee, and Treasurer John Blunt, both of whom had played a vital role in setting up the Lodge.

Another special moment came when the new Master presented his predecessor with an engraved compass to help him overcome his now famous inability to differentiate between East, South and West.

The meeting having ended with the now traditional “Players Tunnel” and with three cheers for the “Away Team” (as the guests and visitors are known) the Brethren repaired to the Dining Room (via the Bar) for a delightful and joyous Festive Board.

Unfortunately it became necessary for the Spirit of Rugby Kangaroo Court to sit in session to deal with a serious misdemeanour by one of the members.  Judge Andy Stevens called the Court to order to read the indictment.  The accused was none other than Installing Master Matt Mitchell who was charged with two counts.

  1. That he had on various dates played a sport other than Rugby (in particular that of “Hockey”) and,
  2. That he had breached that most important of the Laws of Rugby “What goes on tour stays on tour”

Counsel for the Prosecution, Past Master Roger Waltham, informed the Jury that the accused had “in a premeditated and callous manner, posted or caused to be posted on Facebook pictures of the new Master when he was ‘tired and emotional’ at another rugby event.  That the effect on his client had been ‘traumatising’ (although that could have been the beer) and that the most severe sentence available to the court should be imposed.”

Counsel for the Defence, Mark Lawson, offered no evidence, so the miscreant’s fate was sealed.  The accused asked the court to accept a plea of “Diminished responsibility due to excessive alcohol consumption” but this was rejected.  The Jury found him guilty as charged and he was sentenced to wear the “Hat of Shame” for the rest of the evening.  One interesting legal point was that in donning the “Hat of Shame” he removed his Founder’s Cap at the Festive Board which resulted in another £5 fine for Charity.

Andy Stevens (judge) & Matt Mitchell (wearing his hat of shame)
Andy Stevens (judge) & Matt Mitchell (wearing his hat of shame)

The meal was followed by the usual raffle which raised £476.00.  This was donated to the Lodge’s Community Fund which supports Rugby Clubs around the province.

Matt Mitchell’s reputation was however restored when he received the “Man of the Match” Award from the Representative of the Provincial Grand Master for his “outstanding contribution to an excellent and fun-filled evening.”