The West Kent Freemasons have once again supported individual local mayors with their chosen charities for the year – this time with a £15,000 donation.

This follows a £60,000 donation in May this year (£10,000 to each Mayor) from the local Freemasons’ Community Appeal for Local Mayors (CALM) - made up of contributions from individual lodges and members from across the Masonic Province of West Kent.

The purpose of the West Kent Freemasons’ CALM Appeal was to try to reach all the local communities in every part of the Province – and a wide variety of different charitable causes.

The local boroughs covered were: Bexley; Bromley; Dartford; Royal Tunbridge Wells; Sevenoaks; and Tonbridge & Malling.

A presentation event was held at Giacomo’s restaurant, Sevenoaks, attended by the following mayors: Cllr Roderick Hogarth, Sevenoaks Town Council; Cllr David Mote, Dartford; Cllr Kim Botting, Bromley; Cllr Brian Bishop, Bexley; Cllr Pam Bates, Tonbridge & Malling; Cllr Len Horwood, Tunbridge Wells; along with Cllr Pat Bosley, chairman of Sevenoaks District Council.

Speaking at the event, the Provincial Grand Master of West Kent, Mark Estaugh, explained: "We want to continue to forge stronger links with our local communities, and be open and transparent about our organisation and its work. We are therefore delighted to support our local mayors once again with a donation towards their individual charities."

One of the mayors present, Cllr David Mote, mayor of Dartford, said: “The West Kent Freemasons’ earlier donation of £10,000 was greatly welcomed by my predecessor – and I am delighted to receive a further generous contribution towards the charities I am supporting during my year as mayor of Dartford.”

Sent in by Fred Halligan