On Wednesday 9th May 2012 W Bro David Lillie PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented W Bro William Teasdale with his 50 year Certificate at Holy Cross Lodge No. 3679 and simultaneously promoted him to the Rank of PProvSGW. What a great surprise that was for W Bro Bill!
W Bro Bill was initiated in Cartref Lodge No. 5772, Cardiff on 26th April 1962 and passed on the 28th March 1963, but due to work commitments was unable to be raised to the 3rd degree in his mother Lodge. His father being a PM of Lodge de Loraine No. 541, Newcastle upon Tyne, arranged with then Provincial Secretary of Northumberland (who incidentally was also a member of Lodge de Loraine at that time) for the necessary permission to be granted and was duly raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Lodge de Loraine, on the 22nd October 1963.
Due to his employment W Bro Bill travelled throughout England and Scotland but eventually settled in the Newcastle area and became a joining member of Holy Cross Lodge No. 3679 which meets in Wallsend, on the 9th May 1973, becoming Worshipful Master in 1981. He has now been the Lodge DC for many years.
W Bro Bill was a founder member of Service Above Self Lodge No 9537 (Durham), is a member of De Loraine Royal Arch Chapter No. 542, a member of Ponteland Mark Master Masons, a member of the Royal Ark Mariners and also holds 30° rank in the Ancient and Accepted Rite Rose Croix.
W Bro Bill to his surprise and delight was presented with a gift of a pen from the brethren of Holy Cross Lodge to commemorate his achievement in the Craft.
Congratulations Worshipful Brother Teasdale!
50th Certificate for W Bro. Ellsworth Brooks
W Bro. Brooks initiated into Portland Lodge No. 6170 on 19th December 1961, passed on 20th February 1962 and raised on 19th June 1962. He was installed into the Chair of the Lodge by W Bro. Ewan Dawes PAGDC who is now the most senior Past Master.
He received his first Provincial honour of PProvJGD in 1984 and promoted to PProvGReg in 1992.
W Bro. Ellsworth took over as Lodge Organist from his father W Bro. George Brooks when he passed to the Grand Lodge above in 1976. He has graced the Lodge ceremonies with his music ever since and never missed a meeting. The Lodge is very fortunate to have the skills of W Bro. Ellsworth and in over 62 years that the Lodge has been in existence, he is only the third Organist. W Bro. Ellsworth is not content to just provide music for the ceremonies and so he regularly contributes large pieces of ritual by taking part during the ceremonies.
On Tuesday 15th May 2012 W Bro. John Chan PSGD, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented W Bro. Ellsworth Brooks PProvGReg with his 50th Certificate at Portland Lodge at Ashington Masonic Hall. The Lodge is very proud of W Bro. Ellsworth’s achievement and wishes him many more happy years in Portland Lodge and further enjoyment in Freemasonry for the future.
In the Festive Board, W Bro. Sid Fisher PJGD presented W Bro. Brooks with a very old photograph, 1976 Masonic Year Book and a gift voucher for him and his good lady.
60th Certificate for Walter Emery
A great honour was given to the one of Berwick’s most respected Freemasons last week when Worshipful Brother Walter Emery of St David’s Masonic Lodge No. 393 was presented with a certificate in recognition of his 60 year’s service to the Order and the Lodge. Walter joined St David’s in 1951 when King George the VI was still on the throne and the Lodge had 250 members! The certificate was presented by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Donald Auld and perhaps it is fitting that at the presentation that evening St David’s newest member was also initiated into the Lodge.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my sixty years in Freemasonry.” said Walter, “I have held many offices and for a while I was chaplain of the Lodge as we didn’t have a clergyman as a member and I’m proud to say I was Master of the Lodge in 1964.” In all that time Walter has only missed six meetings and now in his present role as Director of Ceremonies, he uses his vast knowledge to help the younger members with their duties in the Lodge.
“Walter is a tremendous asset to the Lodge and Freemasonry in the town.” said David Dunn, the present Master of St David’s, “Although we have records of Freemasonry going back in Berwick to the 1640s, the Lodge in its present incarnation has existed since 1828 which means that Walter has been a part of its fabric for over a third of its existence. As our membership starts to grow again with potential members contacting us to explain more about the Fraternity, he is outstanding to the new members in being exemplary of what Freemasonry is all about.”
Further details of St David’s Masonic Lodge and how Freemasonry operates within the town can be found on the lodge website at www.stdavids393.org.uk
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Donald Auld presents Walter Emery with his 60 years service certificate watched by David Dunn, the 184th Master of St David’s Masonic Lodge.
60th Certificate for Jack Patterson
W Bro. John William Patterson PProvGReg was born on 26th September 1926. He was initiated into Earsdon Lodge No. 6219 on 19th March 1952 and was the Worshipful Master in 1962.
He received his Provincial honour of PProvAGDC in 1972 and promoted to PProvGReg in 2000.
Jack has been and still is a very dedicated Freemason. He served in World War II as a vehicle recovery engineer until he was demobilized.
On 21st March 2012, our Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro. Peter Magnay DL presented him with his 60th Certificate and simultaneously promoted him to the Rank of PProvSGW. What a great surprise for W Bro. Jack!
50th Certificate for Bro. Jim Luke
50th Certificate for Bro. Jim Luke
On Tuesday 27th March 2012 W Bro. Donald Auld PGStB, Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented Bro. Jim Luke PProvGSteward with his 50th Certificate at Arcot Lodge No. 7000.
Bro. Jim was originally proposed into Dudley Lodge No. 5425 in 1950 but due to the death of his proposer, Bro. A Hyde, he did not manage to join a Lodge. Luckily Bro. J More approached him and proposed him into Arcot Lodge. His seconder was by Bro. C Hornsey. Jim was initiated into the Lodge on 27th March 1962. The Master at the time was W Bro. N Patterson, the SW was Bro. M Hind and JW was Bro. G Haggie. During the Festive Board Bro. Jim even did harmony because at the time he had a very good voice.
He has also been the Lodge Organist for more years than he can remember. In fact, all other Lodges at Cramlington Masonic Hall have benefitted from his organ playing, singing of the Master’s Song at Installations and of course, singing the Lady’s Song at Ladies Nights.
Bro. Jim was also presented with a bottle of good quality Whisky and a silver 50 year pin. At the Festive Board, other Lodges in the Cramlington Building including Gavel Lodge presented him with more Whisky for him to enjoy and to remember his 50 years in Freemasonry.
50th Certificate for John Bell
On Saturday 10th March 2012, W Bro. David Lillie P.J.G.D., Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented a 50th Certificate to W Bro. John Bell B.E.M. at the regular meeting of Lodge Justice No. 4421. W Bro. John was originally a member of Tynedale Lodge No. 3067. He was initiated into Tynedale Lodge in January 1962 and he was the Worshipful Master in 1974.
In 1984 he received his Provincial honour of P.Prov.J.G.D. and promoted to P.Prov.G.Reg. in 1978.
When Tynedale Lodge closed in 2007, he was the Director of Ceremonies. He joined Lodge Justice in October 2007 and still enjoys taking part in the ceremonies of the Lodge.
W Bro. John was exalted into George Stephenson Chapter No. 3390 and in 1975 he reached the Chair of Z. He was appointed to Prov.G.St.B. in 1997 then promoted to P.Prov.G.Reg. in 2002 and currently he is the Janitor of the Chapter.
The photographs show members of Lodge Justice together with the original members of Tynedale Lodge who came to support him and to help to make the night a memorable one for him as he did at his initiation 50 years ago.
