Congratulations from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons to W.Bro David Tait of Hartford Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 546, which meets at Bedlington Masonic Hall, on completing sixty years of service to Mark Masonry.
David was born in Choppington, Northumberland and comes from an interesting background as his late mother, who was originally from Italy, along with his father started a business in Choppington in 1927, opening a café cum ice cream parlour known in those days as ‘’Temperance Bars’’. They sold mainly confectionary but later included more groceries. They made their own ice cream in a small factory behind the shop, with everyone in the area saying that the best ice cream ever was made by David.
His father’s plan was to expand the business so that there five shops, one for each of his children. However, the children did not share the same idea and it did not work out that way. They therefore ended up with four shops, one each at Choppington, Bedlington, Ashington and North Seaton.
David attended Morpeth Grammar School then did his National Service in the RAF. After this he then worked in his father’s business and when his father died at a relatively young age he, along with other members of his family, took over running the shops until he himself retired. Although he has one son he did not join the business and it finally closed in the 1990s.
David’s father was a Freemason who was a member of all of the Lodges in Bedlington and, although he did not actually propose him into a Lodge, was instrumental in him joining. David was initiated into Eadwine Lodge No 4398 in September 1961 becoming Master in 1973. His first appointment in Provincial Grand Lodge was to Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon and was then given a field promotion, to Past Provincial Grand Registrar, on the same evening that he was presented with his Craft 60 year certificate by the Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro Ian Craigs, at the Centenary Meeting of Eadwine Lodge in October 2022. He also had a brother called Stan who was in the Craft and the Mark but never went through the chair.
David was advanced into Hartford Lodge of Mark Master Masons on 9th January 1962, was installed as Master of the Lodge in 1976 and then appointed as Provincial Grand Standard Bearer in 1980.
In November 2016 the then Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro Richard Northey, presented David with his 50 years of membership certificate and also on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master at the time, R. W. Bro. Gordon Craigs, appointed him Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden as a field promotion.
Tuesday 14th March 2023 became a very memorable evening for Hartford Lodge when it was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Raymond Walton who was in attendance to present David with his certificate commemorating 60 years of Membership of the Mark Degree.
After Ray had presented the certificate to David he thanked him for his many years of loyal and dedicated service to Hartford Lodge and the Mark Degree and he hoped that he would have many more years to enjoy the companionship and friendship of the Order.
This marvellous evening was finally rounded off by an excellent meal in the very enjoyable company of friends.
If you have a story, event or news item you would like to have published on the Provincial website, or social media, please get in touch with our Communications Team at news@northumberlandmasons.org.uk