W.Bro. Steve Cooling PPrGSwdB, the current Worshipful Master of The Lodge of St. Mary 5148, was presented with a 50 years Grand Lodge certificate by W.Bro. Charles Yelland APGM at the meeting at St. Marychurch on 15th October.
W.Bro. Steve was born on 3rd September 1952 in Beckenham Kent. He recalled that he had found his Grandfather’s regalia case when exploring in the loft of his house and this piqued his interest which remained with him for many years.
He studied at Portsmouth Polytechnic obtaining a degree in civil engineering. Notable engineering projects in which he was involved included Bond Street underground station, Newton Abbot and Reading sewerage works, Thames Barrier piers 3 and 4, O2 Venue Greenwich and Olympic Stadium.
He met his wife, Helen, in 1992 and has a son, Sean and two stepsons.
Steve was initiated into Victoria Park Lodge 1816, which met at the Piccadilly Hotel in London on 24th October 1974. He was initiated by his Grandfather and progressed to the chair on 26th March 1987. Steve subsequently joined Victoria Park Chapter on 23rd September 1980 and became First Principal in the 1990’s.
Following the closure of both craft and chapters, he joined Orpington Lodge and Shirley Woolmark Chapter in 1995. Progressing to the chair in the craft in 2000 and 2001 and First Principal in 2010 in the Chapter.
W.Bro Steve joined the Lodge of St. Mary, No.5148 in June 2017 becoming Worsihpful Master in November 2023.
Steve and his family moved permanently to Torquay in 2022 and is an enthusiastic member and visitor of numerous side degrees within the area.
W. Bro Barry Page