Bro Dean Gale explains the Lodge’s various contributions
Grove Park Kent Lodge No 2824 has been highly active in the fight against Coronavirus in a variety of different ways.
Bro Chris Reynolds has been working on the front line in his new job as emergency ambulance crew, dealing with numerous Covid cases. Chris, a retired London fireman of thirty years and a veteran of the Grenfell disaster, where he was stationed at Paddington and was the tall ladder operator that terrible night. Chris also contracted Covid but fortunately has now thankfully recovered and is back to the front line. Chris is relatively new to masonry and would have become a master mason this year had meetings continued. He joined the Lodge through our rugby connections with Footscray RFC, where he played prop forward for many years.
Above is Bro Phil Mancini (Mankini to his friends) a firefighter stationed at Alton Hampshire. His recent fire and rescue incidents have included local hospitals, care homes, and vulnerable people within the community. He has had to carry out his duties whilst wearing extra personal protective equipment and ensuring the extra thorough cleaning of all equipment.
W Bro Mark Jacobs LGR (above), unable to continue with his air conditioning business, decided to use his HGV 1 skills to drive for the Royal Mail. Driving twelve-hour shifts through the night, hauling double decker trailers carrying medical supplies, including respirators, to the Midlands and around Southern England.
Bro Jerry Lynch (above) has been carrying out maintenance on HGVs, classed as essential vehicles. His wife Amanda and daughters Haley and Kayleigh are giving respite for the elderly and providing child protection for local authorities.
Bro Albere Lauro, a French prop forward and extremely popular member of the Lodge, came out of retirement as an NHS psychiatric nurse. He is working with mental health patients, many who have tested positive for COVID19. Albere is dealing with patient care, dispensing medication, contacting their families that cannot visit, and instead arranging phone calls between them, whilst also organising housing placements for patients being discharged.
Bro Ian Taylor , our newest member of Lodge, who has the task of identifying vulnerable council tenants in Lewisham, carrying out emergency maintenance in their homes. He is enormously proud of his daughter Leanne, a nurse, working at the Whittington Hospital in Highgate, providing ICU care for COVID19 patients.
W Bro Keith Everson SLGR (above) signed up as an NHS Responder, whilst also keeping his security alarm business on standby to cover emergencies. The seriousness of the coronavirus was made more personal when his family sadly lost a loved one to COVID19.
W Bro Steve Roberts has used his IT skills to create an immensely popular video LOI, where we can all see one another and discuss Lodge matters. Steve has kept up camaraderie within the Lodge, as well as guests from other Lodges.
Grove Park Kent Lodge has donated £750 dining fees, plus an extra £500 to COVID19 community fund. I am enormously proud of my Lodge and their efforts at this terrible time. Grove Park Kent Lodge would like to thank you for your efforts, and a special thank you to our brilliant NHS!
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 41 July 2020 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in the Arena Issue 41.