News

Huntcliff on Tour to Darlington

On Wednesday, 27th March 2024, Trinity Lodge 4751 hosted a fraternal visit by W Bro Ted Law as he led his brethren of Huntcliff Lodge 4539, from Saltburn by the Sea to Darlington. This annual pilgrimage by the Huntcliff brethren is known as Fish and Chip Night and was well attended by many brethren. Our Fish Fryer, Ken John, whose day job is Hall Caterer, put on a splendid four course meal with tea and coffee. Star of the Show though was the fish, battered to perfection.

The evening started in the Lodge Room with the initiation of Bro Peter Mortimer who had the pleasure of being guided in the Lodge Room by his proposer, Bro Chris Horner, as Junior Deacon. W Bro Ray Bradley led his team of Officers through an excellent ceremony watched by our visitors. The Festive Board followed with much mirth and merriment as Bro Chris emphasised Bro Peter’s qualities in his toast to the Initiate before the collective brethren sang the Entered Apprentice song together due to our regular singer, W Bro John Parker, suffering a vocal infection. Bro Peter anxious to reply to his toast gave a well-received speech. The evening ended with a 300 Club Draw and our usual raffle in aid of charity.

Our thanks to W Bro John Rees of Huntcliff Lodge for the photos.

 

Trinity Lodge support the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA)

 

Having dodged the heatwave from the day before, the Worshipful Master of Trinity Lodge 4751, David Gutteridge, accompanied by the Charity Steward, Simon Atkinson, called in at the Eaglescliffe base of the GNAA charity to make a substantial donation of £1,000 from Trinity Lodge 4751. Handing over the cheque to Sophie Bendelow of the fundraising team, it was gratefully received given the annual costs of running the helicopter charity which in 2020-2021 was the princely sum of £5.2 million. A recent innovation is the ability of the newest helicopter, a Eurocopter AS-365N-3+ Dauphin, to fly over water having been equipped with emergency floats. This means it can now extend its range of operations to the Isle of Man as part of trauma support. Although the helicopters are not yet cleared to fly at night the GNAA operate Critical Care Cars manned by health professionals able to extend the range of emergency care of the GNAA during silent hours. Find out more about this remarkable charity at: www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

 

Pictures shows Simon, David and Sophie at GNAA, Eaglescliffe.

Trinity Lodge support local hospitals cancer care charity.

 

David Parr, Worshipful Master, called in at Darlington Memorial Hospital on Friday 17th Jan 2020, to hand over a cheque for £500 raised by Trinity Lodge to support cancer care at the hospital. The cheque was received on behalf of the Foundation Trust Charity by Pat Chambers, Charity Development Manager.

 

Pat said, in appreciation of the donation, “Your support will help us make such a difference to the many patients we treat every single day of the year in our hospitals with cancer and will transform the patient experience during their cancer care, which in some cases can mean sitting in a treatment chair for 4 – 6 hours.”

Pat went on to say that some of the highest numbers of newly diagnosed cancers in all England occur here in County Durham so donations such as this will touch many thousands of patients in our communities.

If you want to know more about supporting County Durham & Darlington NHS Trust Charity visit www.cddft.nhs.uk and select fundraising from the menu.

Pictures shows David Parr and Pat Chambers

Provincial First Appointment for John & Roy

 

W Bro John Illingworth and Bro Roy Enoch of Trinity Lodge 4751 received their first appointments as Provincial Officers from RW Bro John Arthur, Provincial Grand Master, at June’s Annual meeting of the Province held at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston. John was honoured to receive Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon whilst Roy received Past Provincial Grand Pursuivant. A pursuivant is effectively an Inner Guard.

After a well managed meeting which seemed to fly by, the brethren enjoyed a Festive Board and wine with other members of the lodge including W Bro Steve Wilcock, Worshipful Master of Trinity (see picture). The meeting ended in good order by 4 pm and people departed for home in good humour.

We wish John and Roy many happy years as Provincial Officers and we also extend our best wishes to all who received an honour on that day.

 

Trinity goes Platinum as the PGM visits bearing gifts

Trinity Lodge 4751 received the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro John Arthur, on Wed 23rd Jan 2019, who presented his Platinum Award to the lodge for raising £33,134 for Festival 2021.

The evening was also blessed with an Initiation Ceremony for Bro Martin Crowe who became a member of Trinity Lodge in a well executed ceremony by the Officers of the Lodge.

Presenting his crystal award piece and commemorative certificate to W Bro Steven Wilcock, the Worshipful Master, the PGM thanked Trinity Lodge for the welcome and the big cheque which was presented (tongue in cheek – see photo) in the Lodge Room. He also took great delight in sticking the Charity Steward’s Platinum Badge onto W Bro Simon Atkinson to much mirth. He congratulated Bro Crowe on joining the lodge and wished him many happy years in freemasonry.

Accompanied by W Bro John Thompson, Festival 2021 Director, he also thanked the lodge for a warm welcome, a fine meal (Curry & Chips) and wished them well for the future.

More photos on our Facebook page.Trinity Facebook

Trinity Lodge Installation Meeting 24th October 2018

Out with the old and in with the new is only partially applicable on this occasion as Bro Steven Wilcock became Master of Trinity Lodge 4751. Many of the invested officers of Steven’s team were re-appointments who had signed on for another year in office to ensure Steven was ably supported. Importantly, both Wardens are Master Masons who are committed to going through the Chair in the years ahead with Bro David Parr next in line and Bro David Gutteridge following on.

Doing the honours as Installing Master, W Bro Joe Simpson, the outgoing Worshipful Master of Trinity ensured a smooth and efficient transition of power took place. Afterwards, Joe received his Past Masters Jewel at the Festive Board and rounded off his tenure with a one word speech of, “Thanks!”

A Planning Engineer by profession, Bro Steve thanked W Bro Tony Petch for kind words during his toast to the Worshipful Master at the Festive Board, pointing out his own committment to ensuring everyone had a good year in office whilst upholding the tenets and traditions of the Craft in general and the Lodge in particular in a rapidly changing masonic environment.

The Representative of the Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Michael J Wilkinson, PProvJGW, accompanied by W Bro Phil Johnson, PPGStwd, as his Director of Ceremonies, thanked the lodge for a thoroughly entertaining evening and the generous donations of two healthy cheques for Charity to Provincial Lodge (£500 to Durham Benevolence and £250 for TLC Teddies).

Rounding off an excellent meal, a raffle was held in support of the Oncology Unit at James Cook Hospital in recognition of the care it affords to all members of the community but in particular, members of the lodge who have received treatment there recently. The raffle raised in excess of £270 pounds.

 

More photos on our Facebook page.Trinity Facebook

 

Provincial First Appointment for Nigel

 

Congratulations to W Bro Nigel O’Brien Bird of Trinity Lodge 4751 on his first appointment as Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works at the Annual Provincial Promotions Meeting in June 2018. Nigel has earned his honour through his many masonic commitments including being Worshipful Master of Trinity twice and recently taking up the Chair at Sportsman’s Lodge 9440. Congratulations also to Paul Farrell and Malcolm Dunstone from our Mother Lodge, The St Cuthbert Lodge, on their first appointments too!

 

 

W Bro Alan Dodd promoted

At the recent Provincial Promotions meeting it was announced that W Bro Alan Dodd had received the honour of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. Unfortunately, due to a prior commitment, Alan was unable to attend the promotions meeting. His certificate however was presented to him in open lodge at the Decemeber meeting by Trinity’s Visiting Grand Officer, W Bro Andrew Foster, PJGD. Andrew congratulated Alan on his preferment and waxed lyrical about Alan’s commitment to the Craft and community. Bro Alan thanked the assembled brethren for the kind words and stated how much his promotion meant to him and even more so by sharing this special moment with the lodge.

Well done Alan.

Installation 2017

 

Trinity Installation Night at Darlington Masonic Hall on Wednesday, 25th October 2017, was a night to remember for several reasons. First and foremost, the lodge welcomed their new Worshipful Master to that most important chair. Joe Simpson took up the reins from Nigel O’Brian Bird and hit the ground running…literally. For part of the formalities of the evening in the lodge room was taken up by presentation of two medals in commemoration of fundraising efforts by Joe Simpson and David Gutteridge (Senior Deacon) for completion of the Great North Run and raising over £2,000 for the Festival 2021. Mike Smithies did the honours on behalf of the Festival 2021 team presenting the medals to Joe and David.

Prior to this event, a cheque for £1,000 was presented to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, John Arthur, to take Trinity’s fundraising for the Festival past the Gold Award target by over £2,000. The lodge has raised over £27,000 in 21 months. A certificate recording the lodge reaching its Gold target for fundraising was presented to W Bro Joe by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who attended as Representative for the Provincial Grand Master at the Installation, accompanied by NIgel Fallow, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Charity Steward, Simon Atkinson, also received a Gold Award lapel badge in recognition of Trinity Brethren’s fundraising efforts.

The assembled brethren including 38 visitors from 21 lodges, retired to enjoy a festive board and carry on the presentation of fundraising cheques. Outgoing Master, Nigel O’Brien Bird, presented a cheque for £200 to John Arthur to be added to the lodge total. This was money raised from a joint social event held earlier in the year. At the conclusion, there were many favourable comments as to a great evening was had by all.

Our grateful thanks to Ken John, the caterer, and his team who never disappoint with hall hospitality. A special mention also to Chris Houfe, Andy Hill and Kevin Williams, from Restoration Lodge 111, who ran the bar during and after the Festive Board.

For an alternate take on the night, visit Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham’s News Page here: PGLD News

 

Didn’t they do well?

 

Well done to our Trinity Lodge Runners, Joe Simpson and David Gutteridge who were part of a Provincial Grand Lodge Team of over 30 from Durham who completed the Great North Run and raised a significant sum of money for the Masonic Charitable Foundation in doing so. Their times were very similar and didn’t they do well considering they were both running through the pain barrier with training injuries. All that pasta and training paid off!!

 

Going for Gold….

Trinity Lodge 4751 is not far short of achieving its Gold Award for reaching its Festival 2021 target for fundraising (£25,488). We are very proud of what we have achieved in such a short time (18 months).

Can I draw your attention to Joe Simpson (Senior Warden) and David Gutteridge’s (Junior Deacon) participation in the Great North Run on 10th September when they will run for the Festival 2021 Charity on behalf of Trinity Lodge. If you want to donate a couple of bob for our two stalwart heroes go to:

https://e0124.everydayhero.com/uk/joseph

https://e0124.everydayhero.com/uk/david-gutteridge

50 years in Freemasonry and Trinity Lodge 4751

 

W Bro Arthur Lea, aged 96, joined Trinity Lodge in 1966 and achieved this remarkable milestone on 28^th December 2016. Unable to attend Lodge in recent times due to ill health and the challenge of Father Time, he remains upbeat  in his outlook on life as he continues to enjoy his retirement with his wife Kathleen, also aged 96, in the quiet North Yorkshire village of Manfield.

Arthur has enjoyed a remarkable life, serving in the Royal Engineers during World War 2 before moving on to accountancy and ending his career as a company director and secretary. A keen footballer in his day, it was rumoured a tackle from Arthur was not one to be relished according to W Bro Alan Dodd who played in the same team. He let slip he had to give up salmon fishing on the Tweed only four years ago as he felt a bit unstable in the river. Not bad for a then 92 year old game fisher!

It was Alan who presented Arthur with his 50 year Certificate, on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master and the Officers of the Province of Durham, at Arthur’s home in Manfield where several senior masons of the Lodge, Alan Thompson, Tom Whitfield and Derek Smith, attended to wish Arthur well.

Well done Arthur!

Since this article was written, Arthur sadly passed away 20 days short of his 97th birthday on 2nd February 2018. We leave the article here in memory of a wonderful man and freemason.

 

 

 

Trinity Lodge “Cheques In”

A Darlington based Freemasons Lodge held a charity evening on 28^th December 2016 to hold true to their motto of Faith, Hope and Charity. On this occasion, Trinity Lodge 4751 demonstrated their charitable approach by handing over £2,000 in cheques to local charities.

 

A cheque for £ 250 was presented by the Master of the Lodge, Nigel O’Brien Bird, to the 5th Darlington Scout Group.  Stuart Nicholl, Group Chair, was accompanied by Connor Petch (a Scout Group Leader in full regalia) to receive the donation.  Stuart spoke how Scouting benefited young people by giving them an opportunity to work together in teams, developing social and life skills whilst simultaneously attending a wide range of events and activities.

The second cheque, also for £250, was presented to The Guide Dogs for the Blind and received by Mrs Christine Kay (a guide dog user with both visual and hearing impairments) was accompanied by, and her guide dog, a black Labrador named Sula who has the unique distinction of being both a guide and hearing assistance dog.  Mrs Kay explained the cost of training and supporting a guide dog is in the region of £45,000, a not insignificant sum. She explained that having a guide dog has been invaluable and given her the confidence to get out and get on with her life.  Mrs Kay, on behalf of Guide Dogs for the Blind, expressed her sincere thanks to the  lodge for the donation.

The third cheque for £500 was donated to Durham Benevolence, a charity run by County Durham freemasons offering individual and community grants for charitable purposes.  The cheque was presented to Assistant Provincial Grand M aster, W Bro Stephen Walker, representing the Durham Benevolent Committee.  Stephen, a lodge guest of the evening was unaware of this donation and taken by surprise.  Stephen graciously thanked the assembled masons for their generosity.

A fourth donated cheque had been done in the style of “Blue Peter”, one that the lodge had presented days earlier as the recipient was unable to attend on the evening.  Mr Grant Hewitt, a Darlington based student studying at Northumbria University, had been presented with a cheque for £1,000 as part of a three year bursary of which he will receive an annual donation to support him in his architectural studies. The bursary holds true to the memory of the late Ray Wallace Thompson, a Borough Architect in his day and member of Trinity Lodge, who left a significant legacy to the lodge to be used for charitable purposes which is managed as a registered charitable trust. The cheque was presented on this occasion by Alan Dodd, Chair of the Trust.

 

 

Faith, Hope & Trinity

 

Early evening on Wednesday 26th of October 2016, brethren started to gather for the annual installation of the Master Elect at Trinity Lodge. The representative of the Provincial Grand Master for the evening was the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Simon Craig Steele.  Craig was warmly welcomed into the lodge by Tony Petch, the Installing Master, who was ready to hand over his collar after a very busy and successful year in office.

The (re)installation of the Master Elect, Nigel O’Brien-Bird, was soon under way after he was presented by his father, Tony Bird, who also happens to be the Lodge Treasurer.

At the end of the meeting during the second rising the newly installed master presented a “heavy cheque” to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, on behalf of the brethren of Trinity, for £2,500 towards the 2021 festival.  Craig sincerely thanked the brethren for their generosity and advised that the lodge had now achieved the PGM’s silver award amount towards the lodge’s festival target. Craig gave particular thanks to Simon Atkinson, the Lodge Charity Steward, for his hard work and effort encouraging Trinity brethren to support the Festival.

At the close of the meeting upstairs the brethren then enjoyed a delicious meal at the festive board and celebrated the newly installed master and officers for the ensuing year.

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For a fuller narrative of this evening as reported by Trinity‘s own Provincial Information Officer, Neill Mallett, and see more photos visit: http://www.durhamfreemasons.org/news-archive/faith-hope-trinity/

 

Twice is nice?

 

A rather unique occasion occurred on the evening of 5^th October 2016 at Wolsingham, County Durham, when Worshipful Brother Tony Petch became Master of two lodges at the same time. This is not a normal occurrence in English Craft masonry and requires a special dispensation from United Grand Lodge of England. Tony’s dispensation (literally) came through at the last minute and he was able to take the chair at Hudson Lodge 2791, whilst still Master of Trinity Lodge 4751. He will only have a short time as Master of two lodges as he steps down from Trinity chair on the 26^th October 2016, when he installs his successor, W Bro Nigel O’Brien Bird, for Nigel’s second time around as Master of Trinity Lodge.

Seven Trinity brethren and several Darlington Installed Masters made the trip up to Wolsingham to see Tony installed into Hudson chair. The festive board was  a merry occasion with speeches commending the newly installed master. The Provincial Grand Master was represented by Worshipful Brother Alan Hall who, along  with the assembled brethren, wished Tony and his Hudson Officers a happy year in office.

Trinity Chicken Chuck Success at Raby Gala

 

The Raby Gala offered lodges a chance to raise money for Festival 2021 and Trinity Lodge took on the challenge in an unusual way with a Chicken Chucking Stand. Tony Petch, the Worshipful Master, was joined by Junior Warden, Joe Simpson, and Secretary, Fred Holmes, to set up the stall early on Saturday morning of 2^nd July 2016. Dodging rain and wind, the stand was ready to go at the stated start time of 10.00am and manned by Trinity brethren throughout the day. Popular with visitors and masons alike, many a chicken was chucked. Indeed, some spectacular ‘cock ups’ occurred as ‘foul throws’ occurred with chickens going backwards as well as forwards. Indeed, one noted ‘foul up’ was caused by Gala Director, Andrew Foster, whose chicken ended up in the beck behind the stall. Nice one Andrew! Total raised was £151 for the Festival 2021. Thanks to all who donated
.

 

Annual Provincial Craft Meeting June 2016

The Annual Provincial Craft Meeting was held at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston, Gateshead on 25^th June 2016. Two Trinity brethren were rewarded for their work in the lodge with first appointments. The Lodge Secretary, W Bro Fred Holmes, was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Registrar (PPGReg) and the current Immediate Past Master (IPM), W Bro Neil Mallet, was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Steward (PPGStwd) becoming a member of the very active Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge facilitating Provincial activities around the province. They are pictured here with Master of the Lodge, Tony Petch.

To see them receive their appointments from the Provincial Grand Master were  Tony Petch and his Senior and Junior Wardens, along with other members of the lodge. The day ended with the usual Festive Board to celebrate the occasion. The new Provincial website has a comprehensive round up of the day’s events at:

Provincial Craft Meeting June 2016

 

Durham Province’s Travelling Gavel calls in at Trinity…again!

Trinity Lodge are fans of laying claim to the travelling gavel that percolates around Durham Province in the interests of improving fraternal visiting. And again, on the evening of 11^th May 20105, at Strathmore Lodge 6229, in Barnard Castle Trinity Brethren led by Worshipful Master, Tony Petch, laid claim to this unique piece of masonic memorabilia which was handed over by Worshipful Brother Tony Hobson.

The next chance visitors can have of claiming the gavel will occur on 25^th May 2016, at Trinity’s next regular meeting.

 

 

 

90 Not Out!

 

 

Fancy a tipple Neil?

At the November meeting of Trinity Lodge held on the 25th of the month, the new Worshipful Master, W Bro Tony Petch, reminded brethren at the Festive Board that Trinity Lodge was consecrated 90 years ago on the 11th of November 1925.  To commemorate this milestone, Bro Tony issued a small memento to each brother dining of a small bottle of wine with the lodge jewel as a label. Roll on 2025 when the Trinity hold its centenary. Bro Tony’s Speech celebrating 90 years not out is below:

“Brethren …. It is worth noting that this month is the 90th anniversary of the Consecration of Trinity Lodge. The actual date being the 11th Nov 1925

The meal you have had tonight is a meal that might have been eaten in that year. Pork was a typical main meal and in the 1920s brethren what had been the dessert of the time …Eton mess, was replaced in the year 1925 by adventurous chefs experimenting with alcohol, hence brethren your Sherry Trifle.

The Master of the Lodge in 1925 was W Bro Arthur Betts PJGW; he was also a Past Master of Lodge No 3417, THE St Cuthbert Lodge

In 1925 brethren, our founders had just suffered what we know as the First World War; which in those days was given the name The Great War simply because the Second World War was not expected. The founders of our lodge kept it supported during the Second World War and we should be thankful to them for carrying this lodge forward for us to the present day.

Brethren you may be pleased to know that I feel we should celebrate this 90 year occasion. And to celebrate all the past and present members of Trinity Lodge; I would like each of you to take a commemorative bottle of wine home which our Stewards and assistants will distribute to you. Please be aware brethren this is not for opening on the premises! Brethren, I would like to add another toast to the evening: TO TRINITY LODGE”.

 

 Installation 2015

 

On a damp October evening, Trinity Lodge 4751 underwent their annual changing of the guard as Master Elect, Bro Tony Petch, was installed as the new Worshipful Master. Bro Tony was installed by W Bro Neill (Captain Kirk) Mallett into the Chair of King Solomon according to ancient tradition watched on by 60 visitors from 21 lodges, which by anybody’s standards, is an excellent turnout. We must thank all our visitors from near and far but especially the large groups from Hudson Lodge 2791 up in the sticks of Wolsingham and Huntcliff Lodge 4539 over by the sea in Saltburn.

The new Master is very proactive in his community as an active member of his local church and as a member of a local scouting group acting as a Scout Leader who, incidently, spent his last weekend as Senior Warden taking his scout group camping. W Bro Tony also recently got married which is documented elsewhere in our news section. W Bro Tom Milner, who seconded Bro Tony into Freemasonry, gave an excellent illumination of Tony’s qualities at the Festive Board in the absence of his proposer, the late W Bro Percy Taylor.

The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was represented by W Bro Denis H Robinson, PAGDC, who complimented the lodge for their warm welcome and donation to masonic charity of £200. W Bro Denis was accompanied by W Bro Paul Farrell, PPGStwd, as a Director of Ceremonies.

The Festive Board was highly praised by those present for the excellent 4 course dinner turned out by the Hall Caterer, Ken John, assisted by Deputy Chef, Mandy, and presented by the Silver Service team led by Sandra. Bar support was supplied by Kevin Williams, Bryan Hill and Chris Houfe from Restoration Lodge 111.

We wish W Bro Tony a happy and memorable year in office and congratulate him on receiving this important honour in the life of Trinity Lodge 4751.

Photos from the evening can be found on our Gallery Page here: Gallery

Ron Greener, a former member of Trinity Lodge and a Past Master, has passed away aged 81 years. Ron is best remembered for his skills as a footballer and commanded a great deal of respect for all he did to advance the fortunes of the Quakers during many appearances for the club. Ron is survived by his wife, Margaret. Our commiserations are extended to Margaret and the Family.

The Northern Echo did a fine article on Ron which can be read here: Northern Echo Article

Trinity Lodge’s Senior Warden, Bro Tony Petch, tied the knot on Saturday 18th of July 2015, at St Mary’s Church, Cockerton, to Miss Amanda Potts . Several of his Trinity Lodge friends joined other friends and family to celebrate Brother Tony’s special day with Mandy. This was a long courtship….some say 29 years?

We wish Brother Tony and Mandy all the best for the future.

 

Simon Anthony Atkinson – Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) – Trinity Lodge No 4751

Simon Anthony Atkinson was honoured by investment to Grand Officer rank on 30th April 2014, at the United Grand Lodge of England Annual Investiture held at Great Queen’s Street, London. He was accompanied by several other Durham Freemasons also receiving Grand Officer honours as well as proud members of his family including his father, Tony Atkinson, the most senior member of Trinity Lodge 4751. Simon was granted the rank of  Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) in recognition of his outstanding work as a mason across the Province.

Simon was initiated into Trinity Lodge in Darlington in 1989, becoming the Worshipful Master in 2002. He became a joining member of the Old Barnardian Lodge in Barnard Castle in 1990 and Huntcliff Lodge in Saltburn (Yorkshire North & East Ridings) in 2003, serving as Worshipful Master for those Lodges in 2000 and 2007 respectively, and a joining member of Neville Lodge of Installed Masters in Darlington in 2008.

Simon was appointed to Provincial Senior Grand Warden of Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham in June 2007, and to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Yorkshire North & East Yorkshire in April 2014. In the Royal Arch, Simon was exalted into the Old Barnardian Chapter in 1995, and was their First Principal in 2007; 2012 saw him appointed to Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of The Provincial Grand Chapter of Durham. In other orders he is a member of St Cuthbert Rose Croix Chapter and St Cuthbert Knights Templar Preceptory; both in Darlington.

Outside of Freemasonry, Simon is married to Melanie and has three children, Kristopher, Chloe and Phoebe. He owns his own business in the financial services sector, working from his offices in Darlington. His interests include golf, dog walking and supporter (long suffering) and season ticket holder of Middlesbrough Football Club.

(with thanks to PGLD for this editorial)