A Night to remember – John Scott – 50 Years in Freemasonry,

On Tuesday, 7^th November, over 70 Freemasons and guests from across the Province of East Lancashire and beyond gathered at Manchester Hall to celebrate John Scotts 50th Anniversary in Freemasonry at Travellers Lodge No. 1253.

Amongst the many distinguished and experienced masons were the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Mark Davis, Assistant Grand Master John Griffin and Past Provincial Grand Master Sir David Trippier.

Following an enjoyable drinks reception, the Lodge was opened by Worshipful Master WBro Andrew Jenkins, who then offered the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Mark Davis, the Gavel, who accepted and took his place in the chair on this occasion. The Lodge was then called off to allow John’s Family and personal guests to join him in the Lodge room, to enable them to share in the celebration of his 50 years in Freemasonry and listen to the personal tributes made to him.

WBro Davis welcomed John’s family and guests, outlining what a special occasion it was to recognise and celebrate his service and achievements over 50 years in Freemasonry. Reflecting on the bygone times of the 1970s, he shared details of John’s journey in masonry, mentioning he was initiated into the Lodge of Harmony No.4390 in 1973; he joined St Georges Lodge. No. 1170 in 1985, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1987 and again in 2010; he joined Travellers Lodge No.1253 in 1997, serving as Worshipful Master in 2006; then joined Social Lodge No. 62 in 2008, serving as its Worshipful Master in 2014. It was also noted that he was exalted into the Chapter of Harmony No. 4390 and became a member of Social Chapter No. 62 in 1988 before becoming a founding member of Aldwyn Chapter No.5712.

Describing John as humble and as one of the unsung doers in masonry, WBro Davis described Johns active involvement in the Province, in particular, his Chairmanship of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Festival Committee in the Province until the culmination of the Festival in 2015, helping to raise the magnificent sum of 2.9Million. He commented on John’s various Provincial and Grand Lodge honours, initially as acting Provincial Steward in the Craft and the Royal Arch, before culminating in his current Craft rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon and Royal Arch rank of PProvGSN.

RW Bro Graham Elliot added his tribute, reflecting on their friendship, John’s role on the committee overseeing investments of our Masonic Charity in the Province, where he had been a chairman for over 20 years, his ardent support of Manchester United and his love for his family, of whom, his wife Jules, daughter Sophie and husband Matt, and daughter-in-law Emily, who is married to his son Jonathon, were present in the Lodge room.

WBro Davis then presented a letter from Provincial Grand Master RWBro Robert Frankl and a framed illuminated certificate acknowledging his service and dedication over 50 years as a Freemason.

WBro Paul OCarroll then gave John a 50^th pin badge, tribute, and personal thanks for John’s continued support for Freemasonry.

At the packed Festive Board, friends and Freemasons enjoyed a fabulous meal, followed by various toasts, including an entertaining and amusing speech from RWBro Sir David Trippier, who commented on their friendship, John’s career as a stockbroker and how he met his wife, Jules, to whom he has been married for 40 years, before finishing with a toast celebrating the significant achievement of Johns involvement in Freemasonry for over 50 years.