W. Bro Brian Atkinson was born in Blyth in May 1939 and subsequently educated at Princess Louise Road School and Bebside School where he rose to the position of Head Boy.
On leaving school he served his time as a joiner at Robertsons of Blyth, and studied carpentry at Ashington Technical College where he obtained a City & Guilds in Carpentry and Joinery, in addition to a full Technical Certificate. He went on to complete his National Service in the Royal Army Pay Corps in BFPO53, prior to returning to civvy street..
After an on-site accident, due to timber breaking and falling onto a concrete floor, where he fractured his lower spine, he transitioned into office work becoming a building surveyor where he obtained ONC, HNC and an HND in Building. He was a member of the Institute of Building becoming a Chartered Building Engineer and joined an international company as the National Technical Manager, however, after six months the company insisted that he move to Hampshire to be promoted to a director, which he declined as the education of his children was at a critical point. He left the company and the rest of his career was spent working for different companies all over the country, mainly in the shopfitting sector.
Brians other interests, away from Freemasonry, still include the Royal Army Pay Corps Old Boys where he is Chairman of the Tyne & Wear Branch, having recently retired as Treasurer of the Newcastle Branch of the Coldstream Guards Association however remains on the committee to this day. He has been a business mentor for the Princes Trust for some thirty years, having to travel down to London frequently and is a director of Blyth Masonic Buildings.
A fine and varied career at all levels, but at the same time always thinking about his family.
As far as Brians Masonic career is concerned, it is just as highly esteemed and decorated as his business career.
He was initiated into Horton Lodge No.6690, which meets at Blyth Masonic Hall, in November 1972, eventually working his way to occupy the Masters Chair, which he achieved in 1980. He subsequently went on to become Tyler, which was at that time a progressive office, but he thought it better to hold that office for more than a year so remained there for some time. In 2004 he became Senior Warden once again and the following year he took the Master’s Chair, this time for a period of two years.
In 2009 he took on the role of Secretary for a year and has been the Lodge Almoner for the past seven years, carrying out his duties diligently, in addition to holding the office of Tyler. He represents the Lodge on the board of directors and takes an active part in the running of the building at Blyth Masonic Hall.
He joined Purcell Lodge in 2005, later resigning in 2020, however during his membership he held the offices of Almoner, Inner Guard, Mentor and Secretary.
He is a companion of the Royal Arch Chapter, being exalted into Blagdon Chapter in December 1974 and has also been a member of the Rose Croix, Knights Templar, Royal Ark Mariners as well as Morpeth Mark and is also presently a member of Blagdon Mark.
His first Craft Provincial appointment was to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer in 2008 and he was subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Grand Junior Deacon in 2018.
A jam packed and highly active Masonic career, of that there can be no doubt, and a brother thoroughly deserving of all the accolades bestowed upon him.
Well done Brian on a highly decorated and fulfilled life, both personally and Masonically.
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