Today we congratulate those Brethren of the Province of Northumberland who should have been at the appointments and promotions meeting of United Grand Lodge, Great Queen Street, London, in order to accept their Grand Ranks.
Although all Masonic activity is still suspended these well deserving and worthy Brethren can, forthwith, wear their new regalia with pride.
The Brethren who have today received their first appointments are W.Bro Geoffrey Morrison, of Berwick St George Lodge No.4125, W.Bro Raymond Dryden, of Plessey Lodge No.6242, W.Bro Colin Phelps, of Vindobala Lodge No.5480, W.Bro Rev Leslie Dinning, of Sure and Steadfast Lodge No.8927, and W.Bro David Ellis, of Vanbrugh Lodge No.8412, whilst those receiving promotions are W.Bro Peter Danbury, of Belvedere Lodge No.6558, W.Bro Alasdair Watson, of Reserve Forces Lodge of Northumbria No.2666, W.Bro George Sanger, of Lodge of Swinburne No.2680, W.Bro Gordon Craigs, of Lodge Palatine No.5345, and V.W.Bro Kevin Stannard, of Epicure Lodge No.9618.
W.Bro David was initiated into Freemasonry in 1994 into Tudor Lodge No.7280, and exalted into the Earl Of Clarendon Chapter No.1984 in 1996, both in Hertfordshire. He is a member of a number of Lodges in Metropolitan Grand Lodge, as well as Vanbrugh Lodge No.8412, here in Northumberland, and was appointed to the office of Metropolitan Grand Inspector, in both the Carft and the Chapter, a matter of weeks ago. He is a member of a number of Royal Arch Chapters in both Hertfordshire and Metropolitan Grand Chapter and has hald the office of Worshipful Master, in various Lodges, on four separate occasions. W.Bro David has been appointed to the Grand Rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon (PJGD).
W.Bro Les was initiated into Freemasonry in 1982 into Sure and Steadfast Lodge No.8927, and exalted into Castle Wardens Chapter No.8213 in 1995. He joined the Provincial Chaplaincy Team in 1998 as the Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain, becoming the Provincial Grand Chaplain in 2010. In the Royal Arch Chapter he has held the office of Most Excellent Z on two occasions and holds the Provincial Rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner. W.Bro Les has been appointed to the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand Chaplain (PAGChap).
W.Bro Colin was initiated into Freemasonry in 1992 into Vindobala Lodge No.5480, and exalted into George Stephenson Chapter No.3390 in 1996. He has held the office of Provincial Grand Mentor since 2017 and has been Master of his Lodge on two separate occasions. In the Royal Arch Chapter he holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer (PGStB) and has been appointed to the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) in the Craft.
W.Bro Ray was initiated into Freemasory in 1999 into Plessey Lodge No.6242 and exalted into Croft Chapter No.3310 in 2006. He has been Master of the Lodge on three separate occasions and was the Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2018. He has been Most Excellent Z on two separate occasions and was the Provincial Grand Registrar in 2018. W.Bro Ray has been appointed to the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer (PAGStB).
W.Bro Geoff was initiated into Freemasonry in 2000 into Berwick St George Lodge No.4125 and exalted into Berwick upon Tweed Chapter No.393 in 2005. He was Master of his Lodge in 2005 and held the rank of Provincial Grand Senior Warden in 2018. In the Royal Arch Chapter he currently holds the office of H. W.Bro Geoff has also been appointed to the Grand Rank of Past Asistant Grand Standard Bearer (PAGStB).
V.W.Bro Kevin was initiated into Freemasonry in 1990 into Achilles UNiversity Lodge No.4078 and exalted into Duke of Connaught Chapter No.3892 in 1992. V.W.Bro Kevin is very well known in the Province and is the current Deputy Provincial Grand Master, having previously held the office of Assistant Provincial Grand Master and being a member of the Provincial Director of Ceremonies Team from 2006 to 2017 as both Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. In the Royal Arch Chapter he was again a member of the Provincial Director of Ceremonies Team from 2009 to 2017 and holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer (PGStB). He has been promoted to the rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer (PGSwdB) in the Craft.
W.Bro Gordon was initiated into Freemasonry in 1979 into Lodge Palatine No.5345 and exalted into St Cuthbert Chapter No.1902 in 1981. He is currently the Learning and Development Lead for both the Craft and the Chapter in the Province, as part of his portfolio as Assistant Provincial Grand Master. In the Chapter he holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer (PGStB) and is the Past Provincial Grand Master in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons for Northumberland. He has been promoted to the Grand Rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon (PSGD) in the Craft.
W.Bro George was initiated into Freemasonry in 1993 into the Lodge of Swinburne No.2680 and exalted into Newminster Chapter No.5328 in 1995. He is also currently an Assistant Provincial Grand Master and held the role of Provincial Communications Officer from 2015 to 2020, laying the firm foundations of the Communications Team that we have today. Many thanks George for your legacy and continued support and advice for the Provincial Communications Team!! W.Bro George has also been promoted to the Grand Rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon (PSGD).
W.Bro Alasdair was initiated into Freemasonry in 1978 into Tynemouth Abbey Lodge No.2971 and exalted into Northumberland Chapter No.685 in 1995. In the Royal Arch Chapter he was the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principles in 2016 and is currently another of the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. He has been Master of his Lodge on four separate occasions and has also been promoted to the Grand Rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon (PSGD).
W.Bro Peter was initiated into Freemasonry in 1975 into Cycling and Athletic Lodge No.2335 in the Province of West Lancashire and exalted into Chantry Chapter No.6669 in 1989. He was the Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary from 2007 to 2019 and the Provincial Communications Officer from 2008 to 2015. In the Royal Arch Chapter he holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer (PGStB) and has been promoted to the rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon (PJGD) in the Craft.
We congratulate all these Brethren on their appointments and promotions and wish them well for the future.
If you have a story, event or news item you would like to have published on the Provincial website, please get in touch with the Provincial Communications Team at news@northumberlandmasons.org.uk
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