Today we turn our attention to a rarely seen anniversary in the Royal Arch Chapter and help E.Comp David McClen, of Victory Royal Arch Chapter, which meets at Throckley Masonic Hall, to celebrate fifty years in the Order, having recently celebrated fifty years of uninterrupted membership of the Craft.
David was exalted into Victory Royal Arch Chapter in December 1970, holding the office of Most Excellent on three seperate occasions in 1986, 2005 and 2010. Since his last time in the Chair David was Assistant Director of Ceremonies for five years and now fills the office of Scribe Ezra, a job he has undertaken since 2013.
He was honoured for his work in the Chapter by being appointed, in Provincial Grand Chapter, to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer, being subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2001 and finally to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2008.
David was inititiated into Freemasonry into St Peters Lodge No.481, which meets at Maple Terrace Masonic Hall, in September 1969, where he has occupied the Masters chair on three seperate occasions in 1977, 1992 and finally in 2015. He is currently the Lodges Director of Ceremonies and has formerly held the offices of Mentor, Charity Steward and Almoner
His devotion to the Craft was rewarded in 1986 when he was appointed to the active rank of Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, in Provincial Grand Lodge, being subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Grand Regsitrar in 1997, Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in in 2009 and finally to the very rarely seen office of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden earlier this year at the Provincial Annual Meeting.
David is also a member of the Knights Templar, Knights Templar Priests, Rose Croix, Red Cross of Constantine and SRIA, all of which he has occupied the equivalent of the Masters Chair, as well as the Royal Order of Scotland and the Order of the Secret Monitor.
David, who lives in Cramlington, has been married for fifty years to his wife Katy and has four children and eight grandchildren. He commenced his working life as an Apprentice Electrician, becoming an Electrical Supervisor and then a Planner Manager on the Health Service. He was subsequently appointed to the role of Health and Safety Adviser for the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, and finally became a safe employed Health and Safety Consultant working in the Health Care Sector.
One of Davids main passions is his interest in Scouting. He commenced his Adult Leadership, within the movement, in 1986 and is still involved to this day. He has been awarded the Medal of Merit, followed by the Silver Acorn for services to Scouting, the County Commisioners Award and a Thirty Year Service Award. He was the District Commisioner for the Blyth Valley District Scouts between 2003 and 2009 and has held numerous other roles, including the County Gang (Scout) Show Assessor and the Producer of the Newcastle Gang Show for twenty years. He is currently the Production Adviser and Honorary Vice President.
Thanks go to E.Comp David McClen for the submission of this article.
Congratulations to David from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons for reaching such a historical milestone and for your sterling efforts and service..
Have you got a story, event or news item that you’d like published on the Provincial Website or Social Media? Contact the Communications Team on news@northumberlandmasons.org.uk