Congratulations to E.Comp Jim Campbell of Astley Royal Arch Chapter No.2997, which meets at Seaton Delaval Masonic Hall, on completing fifty monumental years of service to the Royal Arch Chapter.
Jim started his Masonic career in October 1965 at Seaton Delaval Lodge No.4617, when he was proposed into Freemasonry by his brother, Bob Campbell, the Seaton Sluice milk man and Bill Woods, a painter and decorator in Seaton Sluice. He occupied the chair of Master in 1976 and has been the Lodge Almoner since 2010, was the Lodge Treasurer from 2010 to 2015 and is also the current Lodge Secretary, a position he has held since 2015. His dedication to the Craft was acknowledged by Provincial Grand Lodge when he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Registrar, being subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, in 1991, and finally appointed as a Grand Lodge Officer, to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2002.
Jim was exalted into the Royal Arch Chapter in October 1971, when he joined Astley Royal Arch Chapter. having been proposed by Comp Alan Cunningham and Comp Bob French, both long standing friends, Alan especially through a common interest of Wildfowling. He became a founder member of Seaton Delaval Royal Arch Chapter No.4617 in 1981, subsequently resigning his membership in 1887. He occupied the chair of Most Excellent in 1980 and served as the Chapters Treasurer for some 17 years when he took over from Milne Hunt when he became an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. His work in the Chapter was acknowledged by Provincial Grand Chapter in 1985 when he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial First Assistant Grand Sojourner, receiving subsequent promotion to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 1991. He was recognised in Supreme Grand Chapter when he received appointment to the Grand Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1997, being subsequently promoted to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2016.
Away from Freemasonry Jim started the North East Rover Owners Club, more commonly known as NERO in the Land Rover world, which is still active today. He won several trophies in speed safaris at the annual rallies of the National Association of Rover Clubs and took on the job of National Caravan Secretary organising legal caravan IG and camping events in the UK with the largest being at Eastnor Castle when they celebrated more then 50 years of Land Rover, with 1,100 units being in attendance. He was invited to attend other clubs annual meetings, as guest of honour, in order to talk about the Land Rover Association.
In the past Jim attempted to start a Provincial Caravan Club, having all the paperwork of exemption in place so the club could hold rallies anywhere, however there was little interest. He also attempted to start a shooting club which went ok for about 4 months then sadly petered out. At present he is compiling some lectures in connection with Land Rover and the Rover company, Rolls Royce and Bentley.
Many thanks to E.Comp Jim Campbell for the submission of this article.
Congratulations to Jim on his magnificent achievement from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons.
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