Durham Freemason John Strachan Denham, aged 79, has been honoured by one of the great loves of his life, Durham County Rugby Football Union, in recognition of an extraordinary lifetime of service to the game and to the wider community.
John, a Scot who has lived in Newton Aycliffe since 1951, has spent decades serving Durham rugby as a player, referee, referee coach, county committee member, secretary and Director, helping to grow the game and inspire generations across the county. His contribution has been recognised with the Distinguished Member Award, honouring outstanding service to Durham County Rugby Football Union and its committees.
As Secretary of Durham County RFU, John has played a key role in developing the game across the county and, as a respected referee and referee coach, has mentored countless referees both on and off the pitch.
Speaking about the award, John said:
“The Distinguished Member Award was introduced to recognise people who have given outstanding services to Durham County Rugby Football Union, specifically to the county committee and the various rugby committees within the county.
“The role of Distinguished Member has been given to only six people so far, and I am very honoured to be one of them.”
The wording on the certificate reflects a philosophy that has guided John’s life well beyond the rugby field:
“For when the great scorer comes to write against your name, he writes, not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.”
John believes the citation neatly sums up a life devoted to service.
“That citation really does sum up much of my life - what I have tried to give to my family, to rugby, to teaching, to my church and to Freemasonry.”
Alongside rugby, John has been deeply committed to Freemasonry in Durham, where his dedication has also been formally recognised. He is an active Freemason in Shildon, holding secretarial roles across four different Masonic orders, including serving as Secretary of his Lodge and three Companion Orders. His work behind the scenes has helped ensure the smooth running and continued success of Freemasonry in the area.
In his professional life, John was a Head Teacher and also served as secretary of his teaching union, reflecting a lifelong commitment to leadership, fairness and supporting others. Those same values have underpinned his work in rugby and Freemasonry, where he has used strong moral principles to help young people grow, flourish and achieve their potential.
John, who has been supported throughout by Pauline, his wife of more than 56 years, says his approach to life and service is rooted in his Christian faith.
“As a regular member of the church, it has always been my background thought that Jesus said, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
“As a parent, as a teacher, as a player, as a referee, as a secretary - as everything in my life - it has all been built around that phrase.”
He believes his five great passions - family, faith, teaching, rugby and Freemasonry - are closely connected.
“Rugby and Freemasonry share so many similarities. They are about supporting people, helping them achieve their best, and encouraging them to play an active role in their community.
“I have always felt it is a privilege to serve others, and that in life you reap what you sow.”
John Strachan Denham’s Distinguished Member Award recognises not only the breadth of his service, but the values by which he has lived - integrity, compassion and a lifelong commitment to others.
