Jarrow Grange Lodge No. 8551
Gold Presentation
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Michael Graham made a formal visit to Jarrow Grange Lodge on Monday the 13th May 2019 who meet at the Masonic Hall Grange Road Jarrow. The purpose of his visit was to present the Provincial Grand Masters Award to the lodge for achieving their gold status for the Durham 2021 Festival, but also to present a certificate for 60 years of continued service to John Pike.
After being welcomed into the already ‘packed’ lodge room by the Worshipful Master, John Newham, the first business of the evening was to present John with his long service certificate. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Michael invited John to take a seat with him in the body of the lodge to chat and reminisce on his 60 years in the Craft.
John although suffering with mobility problems over the last few, spoke of his professional life which began as a Joiner, in the nearby Shipyards and ended as a School Board Man, giving a a sprightly and entertaining account of those years and the many enjoyable years he had experiences as a member of the Craft.
He started his freemasonry journey in St Bede Lodge on the 27th May 1959 becoming a founder member of Jarrow Grange in in 1974 working his way to Master in 1980, a generous mason and stalwart of the lodge was exemplified when at later in the evening it was announced that he had donated the raffle prizes for the evening and presented a commemorative bottle of whiskey to the Master to celebrate his year in the chair.
Following the presentation, the master, rose to present Michael Graham with donations towards the Durham 2021 Festival for £160 and TLC for £50, to which Michael responded conveying the gratitude of the Provincial Grand Master for the donations, and stated that this conveniently led him in to his other duty on the evening, which was that of presenting the lodge charity Steward Bill Armstrong with a Gold Festival Award. On congratulating Bill for his sterling efforts having reached this milestone he proudly attached his new Gold lapel pin.
At the festive board a full house enjoyed an evening warmth and celebration, and after congratulating John again on his personal achievement within freemasonry, Michael then went on to present the Worshipful Master with the lodges Gold Certificate Award.
A memorable night of fellowship enjoyed by all congratulations and best wishes for the future to all at Jarrow Grange.