Congratulations to W.Bro John Jeffrey, of St Wilfred Lodge No.5439, which meets at North Shields Masonic Building, on completing fifty years of uninterupted service in the Craft.
John was initiated into Freemasonry in March 1971, into St Wilfred Lodge, becoming Master in 1979, 1999 and 2018 and is currently the Lodges Chaplain. He was honoured with appointment to Provincial Grand Lodge, as Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 1989 and subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2000.
He was exalted into Thomas Purvis Royal Arch Chapter No.2327, in December 1973, where he served as Most Excellent on two occasions, in 1984 and 2006. He received appointment to Provincial Grand Chapter in 1988, as Past Provincial Grand Registrar, being promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2019.
Away from Freenmasonry John served in the County Borough of Tynemouth Police Force for thirty year. He was a Sergeant for ten years and joined on 6th February 1952, the day King George VI died and the Queen was proclaimed Elizabeth II. As he was being sworn in by the Mayor, at Tynemouth Magistrates Court, the death and proclamation were announced. He is a member of North Shields Baptist Church, where he is a Deacon and a member of an alzheimer’s choir, aptly named Singing for the Brain. He is also a member of the Mark and Mariners, holding active positions in both of them.
Northumberland Freemasons congratulate John on reaching the monumental milestone of 50 years in the Craft and wish him many more happy years.
Many thanks to W.Bro Alan Rutter, Director of Ceremonies for St Wilfred Lodge, for the submission of this article.
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