Fern Avenue Masonic Hall recently played host to another historic occasion when Tristram Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No.346 Elevated father and son, John and Richard Freeman into their ranks.
The Lodges Excellent Commander, David Bibby, undertook all of the Commanders work, with the evening topped off with a very pleasant festive board.
Richard has been a member of Tristram Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.346 since 2021. He was initiated into Freemasonry when he joined Novocastrian Lodge No.3361, which meets at Fern Avenue Masonic Hall, in 2003, was the first joining member of Argent Lodge No.9824, which meets at Cramlington Masonic Hall, in 2007 and was the first Master Mason to take the chair in Argent Lodge in 2011. He is also a member of the Duke of Connaught Lodge No.3892, which meets at Wallsend Masonic Hall, and is a founding member of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge of Northumberland No.9981.In addition he is a Past First Principal of Neptune Royal Arch Chapter No.2908 and a Companion of Duke of Connaught Royal Arch Chapter No.3892. He has also recently joined Royal Kent A TI Council, which meets at Throckley Masonic Hall, in the Royal and Select Master.
John, also a member of Tristram Mark, was Initiated into Duke of Connaught Lodge in 1982 and occupied the Masters Chair in 1988 and 2018, for the Lodges centenary year, welcoming a very special visit from the then Assistant Grand Master Sir David Hugh Wootton. John has also been Master in Wylam Lodge No.6922, which meets at Wylam Masonic Hall, Argent Lodge No.9824 and was the last master of Agricola Lodge No.6343. The highlight of John’s Masonic career was installing his son as Master Richard in 2011. He is also a Past First Principal of Neptune Royal Arch Chapter and Duke of Connaught Royal Arch Chapter.
Both John and Richard had a fantastic night which was made all the more special as they were Elevated into the Order together, highly recommending both the Mark and Royal Ark Mariners to any brother.
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