Today Northumberland Freemasons, along with the members of Howdon Panns Lodge and Beamish Temple Lodge, congratulate John (Jack) Robert WIlson on reaching fifty years of fantastic service to the Craft.
Jack was initiated into Freemasonry into Howdon Panns Lodge No.5315, which meets at Wallsend Masonic Hall, in March 1972, becoming an Honorary Member in 2018. He became Master of the Lodge in 1983 and has occupied the Masters Chair of Howdon Panns Lodge on another two occasions in 2005 and 2012. He joined Beamish Temple Lodge No.9815, in the Province of Durham, and has been their Master since 2020. His dedication to the Craft was acknowledged in 1992 when he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon, in Provincial Grand Lodge, subsequently being promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2002.
Jack was exalted into Howdon Panns Royal Arch Chapter No.5315 in 1982 and was subsequently made an Honorary Member in 2018, where he became Most Execellent in 2008 and again occupied the Chair of Most Excellent in 2014. He subsequently became a joining member of John George Gibson Royal Arch Chapter No.2929, in the Province of Durham, in 2018. He was honoured in Provincial Grand Chapter in 2005 when he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner, being promoted in 2012 to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.
Jack, a Tynesider born and bred, was born in Blaydon into a family where he was one of four children with one a brother and two sisters.
Leaving school, at the age of 16, he commenced work at McAlpine while they were building the Stella and Blyth Power Stations, with his main role being a Costings and Benefits Clerk. Although he enjoyed working at McAlpine, where he stayed for five years, he was as ambitious as he was capable, and at the age of 21 he decided on a change of direction and made the move to Provident to follow a career in the financial services sector. Provident, where his father also worked, provided an outlet forJack’s ambitions and during his career there he climbed the ladder, working his way up into management.
Outside of work Jack was known as a great sportsman and ,although he enjoys most sports, Jack was especially keen on rugby, squash and badminton, all of which he played actively for many years. Always wanting to be actively involved, Jack volunteered as treasurer for both Ashington and Winlaton Vulcans Rugby Clubs and spent around fifty years between the two clubs, supporting them in that important role. Above all, Jack has always had a particular passion for rugby, and as an avid supporter has passed his passion for the game to both his son, Duncan, and grandson, Craig.
Jack was particularly surprised on the evening when his son, Duncan, appeared in the Lodge room, having undertaken a 600 mile round trip, in order to read out the citation on the certificate during the meeting.
Many thanks to W.Bros Stuart Hay and Brian Stokes for the submission of this article.
Once again congratulations from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons for fifty fabulous years of service in the Craft.
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