The late W.Bro Peter Dunn was a very senior Freemason in the Province of Durham, holding Grand Rank in almost every Order he was a member of. Dying in 2020, during lockdown, the Executor of his will and estate is a non-masonic cousin of our current Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro David Armstrong. Peters house was rammed full of masonic related items which David’s cousin requested assistance with from him to sort out.
Amongst the items found were several celebration jewels which David was asked to re-unite with the various units from where they came, which are all in the Province of Durham. These include a Past Masters Jewel from Lodge Stewart No.4261, a Founders Jewel from Sportsman’s Lodge No.9440, the Founding Masters Jewel and a Founders Jewel from Old Barnardian Lodge No.9358, a Founders Jewel from Unity Royal Arch Chapter, a Founders Jewel from Dunelm Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.356 and a Centenary Jewel from Electric Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.39.
In late February David commenced his labour of love when he attended Peters Mother Lodge, Lodge Stewart No.4261, which meets at Seaham Masonic Hall, and returned his Past Masters Jewel ,which had originally belonged to his uncle who occupied the Masters Chair in 1944, with Peter wearing it 1970. He also presented them with his Masonic Bible which the Lodge had presented to Peter several years ago on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary. W.Bro. Clinton Leeks, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Durham just so happened to be there on a visit.
Jumping forward a month and David made a return visit to our neighbouring Province, on this occasion to Dunelm Lodge of Mark Master Masons, which meets at Old Elvet Masonic Hall, where he re-united the Lodge with a Founders Jewel, which was gratefully received by W.Bro Steven McGlen, the current Master of the Lodge.
Less than a week later and David was on his travels again in a visit to Eclectic Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.39 which meets in Hartlepool. The oldest Mark Lodge in Durham, being consecrated in 1859, were delighted to receive a Centenary Jewel, which was received by the current Master, W. Bro Peter Reddick.
The end of April witnessed David head over the Tyne once again, into our neighbouring Province, this time to Old Barnardian Lodge No.9358, which meets in Barnard Castle, to present the current Master of the Lodge, W Bro Anthony W Wood, with the Founding Masters Jewel, in addition to a Founders Jewel , as Peter was the first Master of the Lodge.
The 18th May saw David visit Unity Royal Arch Chapter in Seaham to reunite a Founders Jewel, from 1923, which none of the current members of the Chapter had ever seen. In addition, the emblem on the jewel had been lost through time and the Chapter is to re-introduce it moving forward.
David finally completed his mercy mission on 7th July when he visited Sportsmans Lodge No.9440, which meets at Shiney Row Masonic Hall, presenting a Founder Members jewel to the Worshipful Master W. Bro. Martin Talbot, and his Senior Warden W.Bro. Russell Rumley, and the Junior Warden Bro Billy Khatib.
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