A stalwart of a lodge meeting at Fern Avenue in Jesmond has been given a field promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
WBro. Eddie McQueen was awarded the honour at a recent Provincial visit, led by Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro. Greg Smith PSGD, at a meeting of Prince of Wales Lodge No. 2520.
Born in 1938, Eddie was initiated in 1982, has been treasurer of Lodge for 33 years, and has never missed a Prince of Wales meeting. He is regarded as a cornerstone of the lodge and a font of Masonic knowledge regarding the landmarks of the order.
Eddie has been Treasurer of the Lodge since coming out of the Chair in 1990, “During that time, in that most important office, he has kept the Prince of Wales Lodge on a sound financial footing and has kept our finances safe and in good order,” said Lodge Secretary, WBro. Andrew Hedley.
He instigated a monthly standing order arrangement for brethren to pay their annual subscription in a successful effort in member retention. “This, at what at first can appear to be a small matter, has ensured that our lodge has gone from strength to strength, at the same time looking after the needs of our brethren,” added WBro. Hedley.
Eddie is also an honorary member of Lodge Temperance No. 2557 and was exalted in Prince of Wales Chapter No. 2520 (now erased) in 1986. He was Master of Prince of Wales Lodge in 1989, and was promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1998 and Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2006.
Appointment to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden is made solely at the discretion of Provincial Grand Master, and is a rare preferment. “Eddie’s dedication and service to his Lodge and to our Province is truly remarkable, and I was pleased to be able to recognise his incredible contribution to the Craft with this honour” said Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro. Ian Craigs.
