31 Great Queen Street, which has been the symbol of immeasurable support for Masonic children for 80 years, will then be used for other purposes.

The Festival system has served the Masonic Charities well for over 200 years, but until now there has been no framework for sharing ideas and learning from others, something which is increasingly important as charity fundraising becomes ever more professional.

The Festival Forum is one of several new initiatives planned by the Trust following a fundamental review of current practice and the development of a new public relations and fundraising strategy.

Keith began his career in August 1962 at the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys as a junior, rising to the post of Head of Petitions in that organisation. With the amalgamation of the former charities into the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys he eventually moved into the Festival Department latterly serving as Festivals Manager – in fact he has attended, and been involved in the arrangements for, 44 Festivals.

His last Festival was on 20 May 2006 in the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings when the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Richard Anderson, called him up and presented him with a citation recording his 44 years service.

Members of Council and colleagues at the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys join with the President, VW Bro Andrew Stebbings in wishing Keith a long and happy retirement.

Guest of honour was HRH The Duke of Kent. In his welcoming speech, Andrew Stebbings, President of the Trust, recalled that in its 218 year history the Trust had had many Royal Patrons including King William IV, Queen Victoria and King George V, but that none had served as long as the Duke who was in his 39th year as Grand Patron. Andrew Stebbings also noted, to the great satisfaction of Council members, that the building had increased in value by 22,000 per cent since it was built.

Chief Executive of the Trust, Clive Andrews, then spoke about the tens of thousands of children and young people who had been helped by the Trust in the last 80 years, and introduced a current beneficiary, Demelza Stafford, a post-graduate opera student, who sang a moving song originally written for Dame Nellie Melba, the international singing star who was at the height of her career at the time the offices were built.

Staff, Council members and guests had a most enjoyable evening. Next year the Trust will relocate its offices to the lower ground floor of Freemasons’ Hall, where all four central Craft charities will be housed. 31 Great Queen Street, which has been the symbol of immeasurable support for Masonic children for 80 years, will then be used for other purposes.