Congratulations, from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons, to W.Bro Robert Stephenson, who recently completed fifty year son uninterrupted service to the Craft.
Bob joined Freemasonry in October 1972, when he was initiated into Croft Lodge No.3310, which meets at Blyth Masonic Hall. He became Master of the Lodge in 1996 and received appointment in Provincial Grand Lodge when he was made Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 2015.
In January 1995 Bob joined the Holy Royal Arch Chapter when he was exalted into Croft Royal Arch Chapter No.3310, sadly resigning in 2001.
Away from Freemasonry, Bob developed a natural talent for the drums and by the age of 13 started playing in earnest. He went on to play in several local rock and brass bands, throughout the North East and, by the age of 16, found himself performing at the Newcastle Civic Centre. He also managed to carry on with his passion for drumming whilst ,at the same time, pursuing a career as a gardener for the Blyth Corporation.
At the age of 54 Bob decided to change his vocation as a gardener, took retirement and started off on a new career closer to his heart, as a teacher of music at Kings Grammar School Tynemouth in 2003, where he was happiest teaching drums to all those talented and enthusiastic enough to learn.
Sadly, due to cut backs in 2008, this all came to an end, however Bob was not despondent as he was still very actively performing in various bands around the country, even playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra down in London. During this time he got into the acting scene, which opened up a new career for his many talents. Usually he played in crime dramas, often appearing on television, and more recently made appearances in the crime drama Vera, shot here around the local North East area.
We all wish Bob many more happy years of service in the Craft.
Many thanks to W.Bro Arthur Hall for the submission of this article.
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