Congratulations to W.Bro Ken Chandler of Homelyn Lodge No.6075, which meets at Ashington Masonic Building, on attaining his fifty years of uninterrupted service in the Craft.
Ken was initiated into Freemasonry, in Homelyn Lodge, in December 1971, where he attained the Masters Chair in 1997. He took on the management of the Lodge accounts, as Treasurer in 2004, a job he has held since that year., with the exception of one year in 2015.
In recognition of his hard work within the Lodge he was honoured on Provincial Grand Lodge, in 2005, when he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Registrar. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, in 2010, and again, in 2016 to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
In the Royal Arch Chapter Ken was exalted into King Edward VII Chapter No.2892, in November 1991, and has occupied the position of First Assistant Sojourner since 2017. He joined Hartford Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.546 in march 1990 and was a Founder Member of Newbiggin By The Sea Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1756, holding the office of Secretary from 2011 until its closure in 2014. In the Mark he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Steward in 2012. In the Rose Croix Ken was initiated into St Aidan Chapter Rose Croix No.949, in 1994, being enthroned as Most Wise Sovereign in 2013, and appointed to 30th Degree in 2015. Art present he is also looking after the accounts of the Chapter in his capacity as Treasurer.
Ken was born in 1946 and brought up in the mining village of Cambois, moving to Stakeford at the age of 19. He left West Sleekburn School at the age of 15 and commenced work at the Blyth Coop, After 5 years of working at there he moved to a company called George Angus in Cramlington. Through the years he progressed from the shop floor to a position in the Quality Department, firstly as an inspector, then a supervisor, and finally to the position of Quality Manager, the position he held until his retirement, in 2009 at 62 years old, after 41 years continuous service. The company changed its name on numerous occasions until it was finally known as Duco Ltd Technip, now based on the River Tyne at Walker. Since retiring he and Pamela enjoy holidays abroad, especially in Cyprus, or on cruises. Ken also spends a lot of time tending his vegetable plot and garden as well as the garden, along with fishing at Fontburn Reservoir. He and Pamela are parents to one son, Kevin, who was born in 1971, who has two children of his own.
Many thanks to W.Bro Paul Hudspeth, of Homelyn Lodge, for the submission of this article.
Best wished from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons, to Ken on his magnificent achievement.
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