On Wednesday 2st December, Andrew Moule, Assistant Provincial Grand Master made a visit to Penshaw Lodge 3194 in order to honour WBro Ken Symons and present him with a certificate for 50 years of service to Freemasonry.

Ken was initiated in the Province of Northumberland into Astley Lodge 2997 having been proposed by his cousin.

Despite his work commitments requiring him to travel all around the country and sometimes offshore he swiftly progressed and was master of Astley Lodge in 1980 and again in 2003. After retirement, the traveling became a problem and he was invited to join Penshaw Lodge 3194, much closer to home, which he did in 2013.

Ken thanked his proposer into Penshaw, Keith Morrison and the brethren of Penshaw for the welcome he received when he joined and also thanked his wife whose support and encouragement had enabled him to fully enjoy his 50 years of masonry.

During the festive board of Christmas fayre, the Worshipful Master of Penshaw lodge, Jeffrey Taylor also presented a separate lodge certificate to further mark Ken’s achievement as well as engraved cufflinks and tiepin along with an engraved tumbler.

Ken then went on to win the raffle and so had the means at hand to fill his new tumbler!