On behalf of R.W. Bro. Ian Kingsbury, W. Bro Derek Webber PSGD, presented a 50 year certificate of service to W. Bro. Martin Ridler PPrGStdB…
On behalf of R.W. Bro. Ian Kingsbury, W. Bro Derek Webber PSGD, presented a 50 year certificate of service to W. Bro. Martin Ridler PPrGStdB. The presentation is copied below the photograph.
Worshipful Brother Richard Martin Ridler, PPrGStdB, and better known to all of us as Martin, the Worshipful Master and Brethren of Duncombe Lodge No.1486 have given me the very great honour, privilege and indeed pleasure, in presenting to you our Provincial Grand Masters certificate marking your having served 50 years as a Freemason, or in your case 56 years!
Firstly in Bermuda and then in Jamaica under the Scottish constitution. Also in France, London, Beaconsfield, and now in this wonderful province of Devonshire. For you were initiated into the Lodge Civil and Military No.726 in Hamilton, Bermuda, on 7th February 1966 by the then Worshipful Master T.H. Whiting, you were proposed by Bro. Don Jolliffe and seconded by W. Bro D. P. Mello. You were subsequently passed to the 2nd Degree or that of a fellowcraft and then raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
You became a joining member of Lodge Elgin No.1582 in Jamaica. You then joined King Edward VIII Lodge No.1521 meeting in France.
On returning to England you joined Concordia Lodge No.3102 meeting at Mark Mason’s Hall in London. It was here that you received your English Grand Lodge certificate, Concordia Lodge now meets in Torquay in the Province of Devonshire.
You were a founder member of Chenies Lodge No.9127 in Beaconsfield, the Lodge was consecrated in December 1984 and you became Worshipful Master in 1989. You became a joining member of Southall St John’s Lodge No.6389 becoming Worshipful Master in 2000.
You received provincial grand rank of PPrGStdB in Middlesex and Buckinghamshire. You also joined the Holy Royal Arch, the Mark degree, and the Royal Ark Mariner’s, you were also perfected into Rose Croix.
You were born in Hereford on 5th January 1939 to parents Richard and Vera Ridler and you have two sisters Julia and Caroline. You were educated at Emscote Lawn preparatory school in Warwick and then at Dean Close School in Cheltenham.
On leaving school you started a career in hotel management, attaining your City & Guilds certificates, you then trained at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay, the Vendôme in France. You worked in the Savoy Hotel, London, in reception and as an assistant banqueting manager. You were manager of the Lygon Arms Hotel in Broadway before moving on to Bermuda where you became the assistant manager of the Bermudiana hotel in Hamilton.
While in Bermuda you met Frederika Planten, you eventually became engaged and were married in Rotterdam Holland (Frederika being Dutch) on December 9th 1966.
You were eventually headhunted to go as general manager of the Half Moon hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Your two daughters were both born in Jamaica.
You return to London but eventually moved to Great Missenden where you ran your own business with your wife and family. In 2001 you and Frederika went to live in France, returning back to England in 2016 as Frederika had become ill and wanted to be near her family, sadly Frederika passed away in Kingsbridge in November 2016.
Brother Martin, 50 years is a long time and you will have seen many changes in this world, this country, and indeed here in the West Country over that long period. You were born before the outbreak of the Second World War, you have lived under three monarchs, 20 prime ministers, some serving more than one term, and seven Provincial Grand Masters in this province. Freemasonry has changed over the last 50 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. 56 years and nine months ago on 7th February 1966 you laid your foundation in the north-east part of the Lodge Civil and Military No.726 in Hamilton, Bermuda and you have raised the superstructure perfect in its parts and honourable to you the builder. Brother Martin, I congratulate you and 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 R. W. Bro. Ian Kingsbury, who sends to you his best wishes and adds the warmest congratulations, I have much pleasure in presenting this certificate to you but I would first like to read the citation.
Many congratulations
After brother Martin had thanked me for presenting his certificate, all present retired for an excellent Christmas festive board. Ending once again another happy Masonic evening.
W. Bro Derek Webber PSGD
Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master