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John Rowbottom was a young man of just 27 years when he was initiated into the Ancholme Lodge in Brigg in February 1963, as what was, at the time, its 64th member.
At the Lodge’s latest meeting John was presented with a 60-year certificate by Provincial Treasurer Ian Pounder, surrounded by Lodge members as seen in our picture by Dave Harness.
He writes: “I was surprised by the amount of ritual performed by the brethren, all of it from memory. I never thought that I would be able to learn and recite the same myself., but after being passed and raised, and watching many other ceremonies, and taking part in the December lectures alongside all of the other young brethren,I gained more confidence in delivering ritual during the nine years I was a steward.
“I then progressed through the various offices, and became Worshipful Master in 1979. Similarly, with the other seven orders of which I became a member, all were different but interesting.
“I enjoyed being a founder member of several lodges and Chapters, and taking part in their ceremonies, rather than just watching ceremonies whilst simply visiting.
“But now age is catching up with me, and I find not only that remembering ritual is more difficult, but also travelling long distances on dark winter evenings is harder than it once was. As a result I have reduced my memberships from 15 Lodges and Chapters to just one of each in the eight orders to which I belong.”
