W. Bro Derek Webber, PSGD, delivered a charming appreciation of W.Bro. John’s service to Freemasonry to those attending Newton Lodge No 6129, at last evening’s meeting. Whilst John was initiated in the Sanctuary Lodge on 21st March 1963 he ultimately joined Newton Lodge on 10th October 2013
Worshipful Brother Adrian John Burridge PPrJGW the Worshipful Master and brethren of Newton Lodge No 6129 have given me the very great honour privilege and indeed pleasure in presenting to you a certificate from V.W. Brother Nicolas Andrew Ball the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in charge marking your having served 60 years as a Freemason in this wonderful province of Devonshire
You were initiated into Sanctuary Lodge No 5358 on 27th March 1963 (1963 was a very bad winter ) and the Worshipful Master at your initiation was Worshipful Brother Sid Bray who was a police constable at Kingsteignton and known to all as Sheriff Bray. You were proposed by Worshipful Brother Jack Green a garage owner from Newton Abbot and seconded by Worshipful Brother Sid Kerslake a nurseryman. You were passed to the 2nd degree or that of a fellow craft on 27th November 1963 and raised to the sublime degree of a master mason on the 26th February 1964.
You were born on 28th July 1935 in Newton Abbot to parents Leslie Charles and Violet May Burridge becoming a Brother for Rosa. You attended Teign infant junior and secondary schools. On leaving school you went to work as a plumber with J Northcott and son at Newton Abbot, they were a very well established firm of heating engineers they fitted the heating systems, into Exeter and Salisbury Cathedrals. One of your first jobs was assisting fitting the heating into Mortenhampstead Parish church you remember it took a horse and cart a whole day to bring the pipes and radiators up from Newton Abbot.
You have had a varied working life plumbing, building and property development, mobile home on holiday caravan park Calor gas distributor, garage and petrol sales taking over Oakford garage from your father and it was then passed on to your son Paul. It was while at your fathers garage you used to see young lady pass on the bus and the two of you used to make eye contact, you found out the young lady was called Pam and was engaged to be married, but the engagement was called off. You were bet you would not ask her out but within a fortnight you did and the rest as they say is history.
For you and Pam were married at St Michaels Church Kingsteignton on 6th February 1960 and you have two sons Paul and Pater both of whom followed you into masonry, you have six Grand children had many great grand children. I mentioned earlier your proposer was Worshipful Brother Jack Green, now his son Wally who was master of Sanctuary Lodge in 1971 is married to your sister Rosa hence the family connections brought you into Sanctuary Lodge and I knew Wally Green when he had a motorcycle business in Newton Abbot and Seaway Road in Paignton, in talking with you while doing my research it is amazing what a small world it is.
Returning to your masonic life you progressed through the offices of Sanctuary Lodge and were installed as Worshipful Master on 26th September 1975. You became treasurer of the Lodge and office you held for six years you have always been a great supporter and help to Sanctuary Lodge and were installed again as Worshipful Master 23rd September 2015.
Receiving your 50 years certificate from me on 25th November 2015. On that evening the last meeting of the Lodge at Mortenhampstead I also presented a 60th certificate to worshipful Brother Eric Garner and a 50th certificate to worshipful Brother Richard Perring.
You received your first Provincial office an active office of Provincial Grand Steward, promoted to PPrGReg and finally promoted to PPrJGW the very high rank you hold today. You were advanced into Devon Mark Lodge No 215 becoming Worshipful Master in 1974 the following year you installed Brother Dougie Boguard into the chair of Devon Mark Lodge.
You are also a member of Newton chapter No 6129. You became a joining member of Newton Lodge No 6129 in October 2013 having been proposed by Worshipful Brother Paul Spooner and seconded by Worshipful Brother Tony Brookes-Daw.
Worshipful Brother John 60 years is a long time and you will have seen many changes in the world this country and indeed here in the West Country over that long period you have lived through a world war, under five monarchs although one was never crowned, 20 prime ministers some serving more than one term and eight Provincial Grand Masters.
Free masonry like society is changing 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 60 years ago on 27th March 1963 you laid your foundation in the north-east part of Sanctuary Lodge number 5358 and you have raised the superstructure perfect in its parts and honourable to you the builder, Brother John I congratulate you, you are an example to us all I hope you continue to enjoy your masonry but of course more importantly that we may enjoy your company. Now on behalf of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in charge V.W. BROTHER NICOLAS ANDREW BALL who sends you his warmest congratulations and best wishes, I have much pleasure in presenting the certificate to you, but I would first like to read the citation. And I offer you my own personal congratulations.
W. Bro Derek Webber PGSD, Past Assistant Grand Master