Today we help W.Bro Alan Burrows, and the brethren of Monkchester Lodge No.5762, which meets at Byker Masonic Hall, celebrate Alan’s fifty years of uninterrupted service to the Craft.
Alan was initiated into Freemasonry, into Monkchester Lodge, in March 1972 occupying the Masters Chair in 1980 and again in 2004. He is currently the Lodges Director of Ceremonies, a position he has held since 2010, and also their Charity Steward. His work in the Lodge was acknowledged, in Provincial Grand Lodge, when he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1999, receiving subsequent promotions to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2007 and finally as Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden as a field surprise promotion this year.
He was exalted into Cramlington Royal Arch Chapter No.4196, which meets at Cramlington Masonic Building, in September 1981, taking the Chair of Most Excellent on an incredible six occasions in 1990, 1993, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016 and has been the Chapters Principle Sojourner since 2019. For his incredible dedication to the Royal Arch Chapter Alan was appointed to the rank of Provincial Grand Registrar, in Provincial Grand Chapter, in 1988, receiving a promotion to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehmiah in 2003 and finally receiving the very well deserved accolade of Grand Rank, in Supreme Grand Chapter, to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2014.
Alan left school at the age of 15 and applied for a job with the Ministry in Newcastle, however, he was informed there were no vacancies at the time, and the only opportunities were in London, where, at the age of 15 he travelled to and took a junior position with the Ministry. After a few years he was transferred to the Newcastle branch and through time became an Executive Officer. On retirement he took up two part time jobs, firstly working for Newcastle United F.C. in hospitality and stadium tours and secondly at Newcastle Race Course assisting/supervising the Jockey’s weighing room.
Congratulations once again from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons, to Alan, on his fabulous achievement.
Many thanks to W.Bro Bill Tindle for the submission of this article.
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