On behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro Derek Webber presented a 60 years certificate to Bro Heath Dadd of the Ashburton Lodge, No.2189…
On behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro Derek Webber presented a 60 years certificate to Bro Heath Dadd of the Ashburton Lodge, No.2189
Brother Cyril Heath Dadd (PPrJGD) and better known to all of us as Heath. The Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Ashburton Lodge No. 2189 have given me the very great honour, privilege and indeed the great pleasure of presenting to you our Provincial Grand Master’s certificate marking your having served 60 years as a Freemason in this wonderful Province of Devonshire. But more specifically in this, the Ashburton Lodge No.2189. For you were initiated into this Lodge on the 27th of September 1962, by the then Worshipful Master Worshipful Brother Frank Amery, who farmed at Wayne Farm Ashburton. You were proposed by Brother Ernest Langdon, and seconded by Worshipful Brother H.Chapel. At your initiation, you were entrusted by Worshipful Brother Gordon Gendle. Brother Alan French, the Senior Warden, invested you with the distinguishing badge of a Mason, and explanation of the apron was given by Worshipful Brother B R Thomas. The address in the North East Corner was given by Worshipful Brother H Muggeridge, and the working tools explained by Worshipful Brother B R Thomas. The charge after initiation was given by Worshipful Brother A E Collins. You were passed to the Second Degree or that of a Fellow Craft on the 25th of October 1962, in a double ceremony with Brother Brian Robinson Thomas. You were obligated individually by The Worshipful Master, and entrusted by Worshipful Brother P W Gilpin. You were both invested with the badge of a Fellow Craft Freemason by Worshipful Brother E J B Hooper, and an explanation of the apron was given by Worshipful Brother B R Thomas, who also gave the address in the South East corner. The working tools of the degree were presented by Brother E A Horrell, and an explanation of the Second Degree Tracing Board was given by Worshipful Brother Ryan Hooper. Your Ceremony of Raising, which should have taken place on the 31st of January 1963, was deferred due to the severe weather conditions and alterations to the heating system here not being completed. The January meeting opened and closed with only seven members present. Business of that meeting was deferred until the February meeting.
You were raised to the Third Degree, or that of a Master Mason, on the 28th of February 1963 by Worshipful Brother Frank Amery. The exaltation and charge was given by Worshipful Brother Gordon Gendle. You were invested with the distinguishing badge of a Master Mason by Brother Alan French, and an explanation was given by Worshipful Brother B R Thomas. The traditional history was given by Brother F M Rogers, and the working tools of the Third Degree were explained by Brother J S Shepherd. On the evening of the raising ceremony, Brother Brian Robinson Thomas was presented with his Grand Lodge Certificate.
You were born on the 31st of July 1925 at Bovey Tracey, where your Father farmed at Hatherleigh Farm. You grew up attending Bovey Tracey School, before moving on to the Newton Abbot Grammar School. On leaving school you went to work at Hatherleigh Farm. You became a member of the Young Farmer’s, which you referred to as the Marriage Bureau, for it was there that you met your future wife Josephine Amery. Her parents ran Kelley Farm, and Josephine was a cousin to Frank Amery, who was Worshipful Master of the Ashburton Lodge at your initiation. You and Josephine were married at Lustleigh Parish Church on the 15th of September 1953. You then lived at Lustleigh and you carried on working at Hatherleigh Farm. You have two daughters, Mary and Jane. Mary is married to Robert Hendy, and Jane to Richard Barter. Both Robert and Richard are Freemasons, and are here to support you this evening, with your grandson James. You have seven Grandchildren: Alison, Stephen, Catherine, Eleanor, James, Thomas and Daniel. You have ten Great Grandchildren: Freya, Holly, Ruby, Isabel, Rose, Rory, Struan, Ali, May and Harmony, and another one due in February next year.
Your Grandfather was a farmer. He told you that when your Father went to school in Newton Abbot, he would catch the train home to Lustleigh, and then catch hold of the buffers, run up the line and drop off at East Wray Farm. But one day he could not let go and ended up running all the way to Mortonhampstead!
Returning to your Masonic life. You remember the Centenary meeting of the Ashburton Lodge on the 14th April 1987, when you received a centenary booklet written by Worshipful Brother F D Matthews. You became a founder member of Devon Farmer’s Lodge No.9250, where you became the lodge Almoner for many years, receiving Provincial Appointment of PPrAGStdB. And on the 15th of April 2013 you were promoted to PPrJGD, the very high rank you hold today. You were advanced into Ashburton Mark Lodge No. 1038 on the 10th of February 1966 by Worshipful Brother Jack Holmes, who was a Thatcher at Bovey Tracey and lived at Brimley.
Brother Heath. You told me you would have liked to have progressed to the Chair, but you felt learning the ritual may have been too much. But let me say, you have put an awful lot into Masonry over the last sixty years, and it is very much appreciated by us all. Brother Heath, sixty years is a long time, and you will have seen many changes in the world, this country, the West Country and in farming over that long period. You have lived under five monarchs, although one was never crowned, twenty two Prime Ministers, some serving more than one term, and eight Provincial Grand Masters. Freemasonry has changed over the last sixty years, and I suppose it must continue to change in order to attract and retain new members. But the basic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth remain, principles you have upheld throughout your life. Sixty years and two days ago this evening, on the 27th of September 1962, you laid your foundation here, in the North East part of the Ashburton Lodge No. 2189, and you have raised a super structure perfect in its parts and honourable to you, the builder. Brother Heath, many congratulations, you are an example to us all. I hope you continue to enjoy your Masonry, but more importantly that we may enjoy your company. Now on behalf of our Provincial Grand Master Rt.Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury, who sends to you his warmest congratulations and best wishes, I have much pleasure in presenting this certificate to you, but I would first like to read the citation. I was here on the 28th of February 2013 to present your 50 year certificate. As I did then I offer you my warmest congratulations.
After receiving thanks from Brother Heath, all retired for an excellent festive board, ending yet again another very happy Masonic evening.
Derek. G. Webber PSGD Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master