Provincial Grand Almoner Bedfordshire
I was born in Lambeth in 1958, having lived in Dulwich and Nunhead my Mother and I settled in Bedford. I have been married to Karen for nearly Forty years having met her at Senior school. We live in Kempston Bedford.
Judo Career
In my early years attended Goldington Road Junior school before moving to Goldington Senior school. Incidentally, Goldington Road school is where the great Heavyweight Boxer Joe Bugner was educated, Joe trained at Bedford Boys club. It was at this club in 1969 my interest in Martial Arts came joining the Bedford Judo Club training under Mr James. My rise in belt colours eluded me but enjoyed competitions in and around Bedfordshire.
Karate Career
At the age of 45 I decided it was time to get back into a Gi so in 2004 myself and wife Karen joined Tiska Karate Club in Bedford where Sensei Gursharan Sahota was the Chief Instructor, unknown to me at that time Gursharan was a member of the Shotokan Karate Lodge! Our club trained in Wootton just outside Kempston and our instructor who became a friend was Sensei Pedro Barker and occasionally his wife Mrs Barker both very good instructors.
After a few years, our club instructor changed to Sensei Sembi. Karen and I progressed through the grading syllabus’s unfortunately an injury which now turned out to be the start of my Hip Osteoarthritis put a halt to my Karate career. I managed grading up to 1st Kyu, but it was impossible to carry on and had to hang up my Gi but enjoyed being part of Karen’s Black Belts journey to Nidan.
We very much enjoyed the years of training and new friendships, for me, Karate highlighted the similarity with freemasonry of traditions, discipline, and respect.
Masonic Career
I was initiated into the Russell Lodge No. 4413 on 1st February 2001 at the Keep Masonic centre Kempston Bedford, an old Victorian Military building. Was passed on 4th October 2001 and Raised on 4th April 2002. I was installed as Worshipful Master in my Mother Russell Lodge on 4th December 2008, W. Bro Barnett, Coppen, Green and Dinsdale attended on behalf of the Shotokan Karate Lodge.
From 2009 – 2013 I was the Russell Lodge Almoner and was invited to resume this role again in 2019. From 2012 – 2016 became Russell Lodge Director of Ceremonies, Lodge of Instruction DC, and Preceptor from 2009 – 2015 after becoming the LOI Secretary until 2020.
In 2007 I was invited to become a joining Member of the Shotokan Karate Lodge (MetGL), an honour and privilege. Was appointed Lodge Almoner in 2008 to 2023. I have attended many MetGL Almoner workshops and lectures. I became the Lodge Assistant Director of Ceremonies in 2011 and stood in for the DC on many occasions up to 2023. Acting as Lodge Secretary 2014 – 2016, Lodge Preceptor since 2016 and lodge Treasurer since 2015. In 2022 I was awarded with London Grand Rank.
My first Provincial promotion came in 2013 when I was appointed Acting Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies an unexpected honour, and a role I very much enjoyed. The position involved escorting the Provincial Grand Master, his Deputy and Assistant to lodge meetings in Bedfordshire particularly Installation and special event meetings.
A second Provincial Promotion came in 2018 when I was appointed the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies of Bedfordshire, a fantastic honour. This position is very active in supporting the Prov Grand Director of Ceremonies in all types of meetings.
A two-year tenue, which ended up being three years due to the Covid pandemic. Duties mainly accompanying and escorting the Provincial Rulers around Bedfordshire attending Provincial Grand Lodge meetings, acting as Master of ceremonies at special luncheons and events in the province.
As Deputy I was privileged to be invited to attend other Provincial Grand Lodge meetings around the country.
My next promotion came in 2022 when I was appointed Provincial Grand Almoner for the province of Bedfordshire, a great honour and privilege to support the brethren and their families in the province whilst supporting 57 lodge Almoners. An amazing role that I thoroughly enjoy.
Royal Arch Chapter
Late 2008 was when I was near to my completion of being Worshipful Masters in Russell lodge L4413 I was approached by the Shotokan karate lodge secretary to join a MetGC and was duly Exalted into the Old Concord Chapter No 172 on 8th October 2008 at Freemasons Hall. Rising through the offices to be installed as MEZ in 2018 with Ex Comp Andy Soos as Haggai and Ex Comp Dean O’Connell as Joshua both exaltees to OCC from Bedfordshire.
In March 2023 I was appointed Provincial Grand Chapter Almoner linking together Craft and Royal Arch, another great honour and privilege to support the Companions and their families in Bedfordshire.
Mark Master Masons & Royal Arch Mariners
Another calling came when I was invited to join Stuart Lodge No. 434 of Mark Master Masons and was duly advanced April 2012, a ceremony that I remember with great fondness. Active in offices up to Senior Deacon but in 2017 the position of Treasurer became vacant so decided this was a role I could make a difference and was appointed in 2017.
In April 2023 I received my first appointment in Mark Masonry to Past Provincial Grand Junior Deacon.
As a Mark Master Mason, I was invited to join Royal Ark Mariners and was elevated in 2014, at this time not in any rush to progress the ranks.
I love my Freemasonry and everything we stand for, the friendships and companionship of a wonderful fraternal organisation.
The Russell Lodge No 4413, Prov of Bedfordshire
Worshipful Master: 2008 – 2009
Almoner: 2009 – 2013
Almoner: 2019 to 2022
Assist Dir of Ceremonies: 2010 – 2012
Director of Ceremonies: 2012 – 2016
Lodge of Instruction Preceptor: 2009 – 2015
Lodge of Instruction Secretary: 2015 – 2020
Prov Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Bedfordshire 2013 – 2015
Prov Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Bedfordshire 2018 – 2021
Provincial Grand Almoner Bedfordshire 2022
The Shotokan Karate Lodge No 9752 MetGL
Joining Member, The Shotokan Karate Lodge 8th December 2007
Almoner: 2008 – 2023
MetGL Almoner Workshop programme 2009
Assist Dir of Ceremonies: 2011 – 2023
Acting Secretary: 2014 – 2016
Treasurer 2015 – 2024
Preceptor 2016 – Present
Charity Steward 2024 – Present
Old Concord Chapter No 172 Met Grand Lodge
Exalted: 8th October 2008
MEZ: 2019 – 2022
Bedfordshire Chapter of Prov Grand Stewards No 9677
Joining Member: 31st January 2023
Provincial Grand Almoner Bedfordshire – 2023
Stuart Lodge Mark Master Masons No 434, Prov of Bedfordshire
Advanced: 19th April 2012
Senior Deacon: 2015
Treasurer: 2017 – Present
Past Provincial Grand Junior Deacon
Stuart Lodge Royal Ark Mariners No 434, Prov of Bedfordshire
Elevated: 2014
Ampthill Preceptory No. 260, Knights Templar, Province of Bedfordshire
Installation: 2022
Shotokan Karate Lodge 9752 