A Ramsgate Freemason has bequeathed £114,000 to the town’s Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School.
When the Old Ruymian Lodge of the East Kent Freemasons informed the school they had £114,000 to donate, the staff and students were delighted. The incredible sum had been left by the late Norman Poole, a former member of the Old Ruymian Lodge who was keen to support the education of future generations.
A delegation of 12 students from Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School, along with the head of the sixth form Craig Lowis and the school’s business manager Chris Freeman, arrived at the Masonic centre in St Lukes Avenue, Ramsgate, on December 15 to receive the cheque from the Master of the Lodge, Johnny Symaka.
Speaking at the presentation, Mr Symaka said: “We trust the donation would be instrumental in improving the educational experience of students at the school. The values of charity, friendship, integrity, and respect that are central to freemasonry, and (Norman) pledged the continued support of the Old Ruymian Lodge to the school and its students”.
Mr Freeman outlined some of the ways the money would be used, including an investment fund to support bursaries for underprivileged students who wished to attend university, as well as purchasing a new minibus to replace the aging existing one and updating equipment in science and other departments.
He added: “This generous donation from Ramsgate Freemasons will help ensure Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School can continue to provide the highest standard of education for generations to come.”
Chatham House School was founded in 1797, and Clarendon House School opened its doors in 1905. The schools amalgamated on the 1 September 2013.
