Congratulations to W.Bro Peter Boyd on completing fifty fabulous uninterrupted years in Freemasonry.
Peter was initiated into Freemasonry, in Blyth Lodge No.4484, in January 1972, where he remained a member until its sad erasure in 2011, subsequently joining Cowpen Lodge No. 4824, which meets at Blyth Masonic Building. He has occupied the Masters chair on three occasions, twice in Blyth Lodge in 1980 and 2008, and once in Cowpen Lodge in 2017 and is the Lodges current Director of Ceremonies.
His dedication to the Craft was acknowledged in 1991, when he was appointed, in Provincial Grand Lodge, to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Registrar, being subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 2008 and finally Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2019.
He was exalted into Blagdon Royal Arch Chapter No.659 in 1974, subsequently resigning in 1993, and then rejoined the Royal Arch Chapter in 2017, joining Croft Royal Arch Chapter No.3310 where he is currently the First Assistant Sojourner.
On leaving school Peter commenced work on the photographic counter at Blyth Coop. Society, which was the start of a long interest in photography, which has lasted all of his life. His interest in photography led him to pursue a career in Police forensic photography, which he continued until he retired in 2013. He progressed in his career and had the irksome task of travelling around the world teaching forensic photography. On his many trips to the Caribbean Islands to teach his art Peter became the original death in paradise forensic expert.
Peter also has a life long love off music and has been a member of the Beaconsfield Operatic Society since 1966, singing in the choir and taking many lead roles throughout the years. With his very good singing voice he is in great demand to perform the Masters Song at installations in the Blyth Masonic Building and around the wider Provence.
Peter met his wife Ann and was married in 1969. They enjoy travelling and going on cruises, however the Pandemic has curtailed that. They have a son, Craig, who lives in Cheshire where they dog sit whilst he visits football clubs overseeing the welfare of youth and apprentice players, which is funded by the Premiere League. Peter remains a staunch Sunderland supporter.
Many thanks to W.Bro Ian Swanson for the submission of this article.
Congratulations from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons to Peter on his magnificent achievement.
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