On Monday 14th June 2021, a celebration was held to celebrate Bro John Giddings’s 60 years of Freemasonry at an outdoor venue in Banbury.
John was initiated into the Davie Lodge No. 3721 at Exeter on 10th June 1961 and became a joining member of Cherwell Lodge No. 599 on 19th November 1982, subsequently becoming an Honorary Member of Cherwell Lodge.
20 guests attended the party held at Stanbridge House Banbury including members of Cherwell Lodge No. 599, Bowyer Lodge No. 1036, Evenlode & Norton Lodge No. 3271, as well as a representative from John’s Mother Lodge at Exeter, Bro Charles Garratty who presented a greetings card with good wishes from his lodge.
Personal greetings and congratulations were also received from the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, RWBro. Ian Kingsbury JP, acknowledging John’s considerable contribution to Freemasonry.
The Provincial Grand Secretary for the Province of Oxfordshire, W Bro Bernie Wegerhoff ,attended on behalf of our Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro James Hilditch. He noted that John was approaching his 98th Birthday in July and then proceeded to recount some of the highlights of John’s many exploits during his military service, as well as his contribution to the community and the country as a local Councillor and Town Mayor, in addition to being a long-standing former Chairman of the Burma Star Association for which he was awarded the MBE.
W Bro Wegerhoff then presented John with his certificate recognising 60 years membership in Freemasonry on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master.
Bro John responded by modestly thanking everyone for attending and making it a memorable occasion which is most certainly was!