Issue 6, September 2016

Newsletter Date

Annual Newsletter

For all Members of the Filton Masonic Hall Company Limited

Welcome to Issue Six of our Newsletter!

Welcome to the sixth of our annual Hall Newsletters.

In this issue, we inform you of the latest developments regarding our Hall, its mainte-

nance and the plans for improvement and enhancement of our facilities to ensure

the Hall remains a pleasant environment for members and visitors alike.

As usual we welcome comments and suggestions (good and bad!).

Contact us at newsletter@fmhcl.org.uk

©2016 Filton Masonic Hall Company

Annual Maintenance Weekend On the 25th and 26th June, the Hall held its annual “Maintenance Weekend” to

perform the annual tasks that are required to keep the Hall in tip-top shape. An additional

task this year was to change the lock on the main front door of the Hall and distribute the

new key to all Registered Keyholders.

Pete Close, of Hambrook Lodge, was the “chippie” assigned to prepare the door and fit the

lock, which he achieved—with aplomb—over the weekend.

Previously, with grateful thanks to Gerry Rivers, of Harmony and Concord, the Car Park was

cleared and tidied, filling several garden sacks of detritus and undergrowth, so no work was

required there on the weekend.

The Hall is indebted and very grateful to

those brethren who gave up a part of their

weekend to help out with painting, cleaning,

polishing and minor repairs to the Hall’s fix-

tures and fittings.

These brethren worked hard to perform the

various tasks that had been planned for the

(continued on page 2)

Pete Close checks the new lock as his work on the

Hall’s main front door progresses.

Eddy Oram does his Ken Dodd impression, much to

the amusement of Barry Doul and Tony Counter!

Page 2

Annual Newsletter Issue 6, September 2016

weekend. They are:

From Hambrook Lodge: William Durman, Barry Doul, Pete Close,

Chris Northcott, Andrew Strachan, Paul Sutton, Dick Smith, Ken Wil-

lies.

From the Filton Lodge of Fortitude: Eddy Oram, Steve Roach, Fred

Beacham, Graham Lynch, Geoff Warburton, Mike Lettey, Chris Point-

ing.

From St Christopher Lodge: Steve Manning, Mike Newcombe, Nick

Sargent.

From Fidelity Lodge: Peter Kirsen, Keith Noble.

Plus the following brethren: Tony Counter (Avon Mark), Pete Coles

(H&C), Mike Burridge (NBC), Ken Allen (True Friendship), James Hunt

(Purdown Mark).

Christine Burridge (wife of Mike) baked her usual cake to keep the

workforce going,

The rest of the Hall Membership (over 400 strong!) is indebted to

these few who have worked hard to ensure the Capitation fees are

kept as low as possible.

Annual Maintenance Weekend (from Page 1)

A FREE BAR was provided, along with a lunch of salad, sandwiches and chips.

Clockwise: Steve Roach, Fred Beacham, Barry Doul, Tony Counter, Eddy

Oram, Andrew Strachan, Mike Burridge, Steve Manning, Pete Coles

(standing), Ken Allen and Pete Close.

Fred Beacham (left) deep cleans the Bar, while Mike Newcombe (right) is a

little upset at the paint he’s managed to get on his hands!

Some of the tasks completed on the weekend were:

The usual repairs and replacements of the dining chair feet

and stacking buffers, repairs of the dining tables and rounds.

Touch up painting of several areas, including a refresh of the

columns in the dining room, and also the wall area between the dining rooms doors and the kitchen.

Bar area deep clean

Kitchen deep clean

Clearance of debris and weeding in external areas at sides

and rear

General tidying, cleaning and repaint in Gents toilet, includ-

ing re-sealing of wash basins.

A special mention and thanks to Chris Pointing (left) who, at short notice, made a thoroughly professional job of redeveloping the basin and glasswasher area of the bar. A new basin was installed with new waste fittings, into a new worktop covering the glass-washer. Chris worked tirelessly for several hours on the Sunday, and returned twice more to complete the task.

Chris Pointing works on the new worktop for the bar.

Sunday’s crew, clockwise: Ken Willies, Mike Lettey, Barry Doul, Pete Close,

Mike Burridge, Steve Manning and Will Durman.

(continued on page 3)

Page 3

Annual Newsletter Issue 6, September 2016

Unfortunately, Hall Chairman, Dave Oxenham, was unable to be with us due to holiday, but he has since made up for it, per-forming various tasks around the Hall that needed finishing off, such as painting the front door following the lock change, as well as tidying up what was left over from the Maintenance Weekend and also stocking the bar in readiness for the new season.

In spite of all this and, while the weekend went well, there were still tasks outstanding that need to be completed before the new season.

PLEASE REMEMBER—Volunteers are ALWAYS welcome in what has become a popular weekend of fellowship, fun and freema-sonry.

Help us to help you to keep the Hall something to be proud of.

Maintenance Weekend (continued from page 2)

Above: Steve Manning and Pete Coles get on with the task of paint

retouches around the new emergency lights in the Lodge Room.

Right: The Burn’s Night Haggis is piped into the dining room

Hambrook’s Young Cricketers Joe Dryall, (Grandson of W.Bro Cliff Roseblade, a founder member of

Hambrook Lodge who passed on in 2005) has recently been picked to

represent Gloucestershire County Cricket Club 2nd XI as a batter at the

age of just 15 years old.

His coaches at Glos CCC believe that Joe has all the tools to make a

quality 1st class cricketer if he continues to develop as he has. Not only

that, but his younger brother Ed (11 years old) is also being watched

very closely and is, by all accounts, quite a special bowler.

Cliff would have been very proud! Well done, Jo and Ed!

W.Bro. Dick Smith also has a talented Grandson in Josh Smith, just 12

years old and already keeping wicket for Chippenham CC 4th XI (that’s

Senior cricket!). Josh recently made his first senior half-century and is

being trained as a wicket-keeper/batsman. He also plays for the U15s,

and once turned out for the 3rd XI. Josh’s dad, Greg, also plays for the

same team—a proud dad! Well done, Josh!

Bro. Dick also went on to tell us he once faced two balls from Mike Proc-

tor, when they were both 18. Dick was playing for MAC and Mike was a

relative unknown at the time, just before he signed for Glos CCC, who

was brought in as a ‘ringer’ for the opposition, Imperial. In Dick’s own

words - “I didn’t see either ball—I thought he’d not released it—until I

heard my stumps shatter with the second ball! I wondered why the

‘keeper was on the boundary!”

With thanks to Ian Moore and Dick Smith.

Bro. Andy Strachan’s Initiation night very suitably coincided with the

lodge’s Burns Night Festive Board. An excellent ceremony welcomed

Andy to the fold and the ‘sangs and clatter’ that followed was spec-

tacular. W.Bro. Jim Mail addressed the haggis in rousing fashion, firstly

admitting that had he not seen the photos, he’d have failed to remem-

ber he performed the same function at the 2015 event. (And him being

in charge of the weapon which put the wee haggis out of its misery!).

There was a forerunner to this meeting. The previous Saturday, the WM,

W. Bro. Mike Blackmore, invited the lassies to share a Burns Supper, also

at Stapleton. An account of the evening with lots of photos can be seen

on the glosmasons website: http://www.glosmasons.org.uk/news/burns-

supper-season-upon-us. Well in excess of £500 was made on the night

which will be donated to the 2018 Grand Charity Festival.

With thanks to Ian Moore and Dick Smith.

Hambrook’s Annual Burns Night Celebrations

Page 4

Annual Newsletter Issue 6, September 2016

Curator’s Corner... Filton Masonic Hall’s Display Cabinet has many arte-

facts that cover much of the Modern History of Free-

masonry in and around the Province. It covers many

orders as well as the Craft and has relied on the gener-

osity of the Brethren over many years.

Situated in the main dressing room it is open to view to

all who use the Hall.

In this edition I would like to spotlight a couple of the

shelves and give some info regarding their contents.

This top shelf has a plethora of Masonry. Top right is the

jewels of the late W Bro Brian Hall of Fidelity Lodge that

includes, in the centre, the jewel and ribbon of the

Masonic Hospital. To the left is one of the candles

gifted to us through the Lodge of St Christopher from

the Loge Märkischen Hammer of Germany. To the left

again at the back is a photograph of the plaque out-

side the Alamo commemorating the Battle fought with

Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. To the far right is a gob-

let presented to The Lodge of True Friendship.

In the front of this shelf from left to right is a Com-

memorative spoon, Past Master’s Jewels of the Lodge

of Fidelity, including the late W Bro Brian Hall.

The shelf below is interesting from its content being

outside the Stapleton area. The Masonic apron and

sash is from Scotland and is typical in that each Scot-

tish Lodge has its own design and colour. At the right is

the Sash and Collarette of the late W Bro John

Churches and is his regalia pointing out his rank as 30

degree in the order of the Rose Croix.

I hope this is useful and hopefully I can bring some

more knowledge of our wonderful Display in the future.

Dave Burrows, Hall Curator.

Avon Mark upcoming event...

Tuesday, 5th November, 2016 at 6.30pm

Prospective Candidates will be invited to their regular

meeting, to be given an introductory presentation in the

Lodge Room by the Mark Provincial Grand Master, and

then afterwards at their Festive Board. The aim of the eve-

ning is to provide a clearer understanding of Mark Masonry,

and encourage them to join Avon Mark Lodge.

This invitation will be sent to all the Craft Lodges meeting at

Stapleton, with permission. It is also open to any Master

Mason who wishes to further their Masonic knowledge of

the Mark degree.

For further details, please contact the Lodge Secretary,

Dave Oxenham, on 07950 977199 or email davidoxen-

ham@talktalk.net

Up, up and away...

At the joint Filton Lodge of Fortitude and Tyndall Lodge Ladies Festival earlier this

year, a Glider Lesson, donated by Fortitude PM Steve Westlake, was auctioned as

part of the evening’s fundraising activities.

Pat O’Driscoll, whose late husband Noel was Master of Tyndall when he passed

away suddenly in 2009, won that auction and took to the skies at Steve’s gliding

club, the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club (www.dsgc.co.uk).

Steve is a fully qualified instructor and has been gliding for many years and took

Pat for her lesson in one of the club’s glider—a Glaser Dirks DF505 Elan trainer.

Though he lives in Plymouth these days, he still get’s up to Bristol for Lodge.

Pat still attends many Masonic functions, and confessed to having flown in a

glider once before. During the flight, Pat was handed the controls before Steve

put the glider through some advanced manoeuvres.

After half-an-hour, they were back on solid ground and completed the afternoon

with a welcome cup of tea. (with thanks to Dick Smith)

Page 5

Annual Newsletter Issue 6, September 2016

2015-16: The Hall Committee, on behalf of all members, offers its

respects and condolences to the family, friends and brethren of

the following members, who passed to the Grand Lodge Above

during the past year on the date given:

W.Bro. Brian Llewellyn Grant, PPAGDC

(Filton Lodge of Fortitude) 27th August, 2015.

W.Bro. Bryan Dennis (‘Dennis’) Gould, PPSGW

(Hambrook Lodge) 4th November, 2015.

W.Bro. Harold William (‘Bill’) Marriott, PPGSwdB

(Hambrook Lodge) 31st December, 2015.

W.Bro. William Arthur (‘Bill’) Stirling, PPSGW

(Filton Lodge of Fortitude) 24th March, 2016.

Bro. Colston John Elliott

(Filton Lodge of Fortitude) 22nd April 2016.

W.Bro. David Reginald Durnford, PPSGW

(Hambrook Lodge) 23rd May, 2016.

Obituaries of these brethren may be found on pages 6 & 8.

Dick Smith’s “Grand” Adventure…!

Please support our sponsors and partners, who have DONATED

enormous amounts of time and/or materials to the Hall...

Congratulations must go to Hambrook

PM, Dick Smith, who was very pleasantly

surprised to find that he had been pro-

moted to Grand Rank as a Past Assistant

Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC)!

So, on 27th April, he set off to Great

Queen Street for his Investiture. A day he

thoroughly enjoyed with great pride!

Dick is a tireless workhorse in the back-

ground both for his Lodge and for the

Province. He edits a monthly Newsletter

for his Lodge, is the editor of Square Talk

and an administrator of the Provincial website. He is an ever-present

at most events, local and Provincial, capturing photographic evi-

dence for use in said Newsletter, Square Talk and website.

A thoroughly deserved accolade and, we are informed, Hambrook

Lodge’s first Grand Officer - W.Bro. Dick Smith, PAGDC. Congratula-

tions!

True Friendship Master, Steve Carlin (left), with Past Master, Ken Allen, his son,

Chris, and Chris’ father-in-law, Tony Lewis (right), also a Past Master.

One of True Friendship’s Initiates last season, was a ‘Lewis’. Past

Master, W.Bro. Ken Allen, was permitted by the current Master,

W.Bro. Steve Carlin, to take the Chair to initiate his son, Christopher

Lewis Allen, on the 9th June. Bro. Christopher was seconded by his

father-in-law, W.Bro. Tony Lewis, also a Past Master of the Lodge.

Interestingly, there is sometimes some misunderstanding about the

meaning of a ‘Lewis’. In fact, a ‘Lewis’ is only a ‘Lewis’ until he is

Initiated into the Craft!

The UGLE, in the booklet ‘Information for the Guidance of Members

of the Craft, which accompanies the Book of Constitutions, defines

a ‘Lewis’ simply as: “the uninitiated son of a Mason”.

A ‘Lewis’ may also be seen on the Senior Warden’s pedestal, being

the Cramp inserted into the Perfect Ashlar by which it is ‘raised or

lowered with precision’.

True Friendship Initiates a ‘Lewis’...

Mike’s Royal Arch Provincial Honour...

On 7th May, Mike Lettey, a member of the

Filton Chapter of Fortitude, was installed as 3rd

Provincial Grand Principal at Provincial Chap-

ter in Gloucester. Congratulations, Mike!

Of course, the Filton Chapter of Fortitude is no

stranger to Provincial high offices, since the

current M.E. Grand Superintendent, Graham

King, is also a member off the Chapter!

Two other members of the Chapter, Trevor

Merrett (Prov. Asst. Grand Scribe Ezra) and Geoff Warburton (Prov.

1st Asst Grand Sojourner), were also honoured with an active Provin-

cial office. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Royal

Arch, please contact your Lodge’s Royal Arch Representative.

Page 6

Issue 6, September 2016 Annual Newsletter

ber, 1948. A member for over 68 years, he held many offices in

the Lodge, but was well remembered and respected as the

Lodge DC. He received Provincial Honours to the Rank of Past

Provincial Senior Grand Warden.

He had been the subject of many a report from W.Bro Eddy Oram

in recent years due to his failing health. Eddy visited regularly to

hear his nostalgic reminiscences of his Army days and his career

as a Chef.

Bill had lost his beloved wife, Barbara, almost exactly two years

previously, and missed her terribly.

Due to his failing health, Bill had not attended Lodge for several

years and, as his health deteriorated, he gave everyone cause

for concern on several occasions, when suffering falls and col-

lapses at his home, but always seemed to bounce back.

However, more recently, he was insititutionalised and his deterio-

ration accelerated. He passed away 9 days before his 94th Birth-

day.

W.Bro. Bryan Dennis (‘Dennis’) Gould, PPSGW

(Hambrook Lodge)

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 4th November, 2015.

Bro. Dennis was a founder member of the Lodge. Dennis died

peacefully at his care home in Kingswood on 4th of November

2015, aged 93. Dennis was born on St David’s Day in 1922.

He was initiated into Downend Lodge No 5498 on 11th April 1949

and was Master in 1968. In 1979, he was a founder of Hambrook

Lodge No 8909 and became Master in 2006 at the age of 84. He

gained Provincial rank and was the longest serving Past Provincial

Senior Grand Warden in Gloucestershire, having reached this

landmark in May 1978.

Dennis was a very active and committed Royal Arch Mason, ex-

alted into Kingswood Chase Chapter in 1960. He was a founder

member of the Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Installed First Prin-

cipals Chapter, the Chapter of Rectitude No 335 in the Province

of Wiltshire and a joining member of Hambrook Chapter, which

he helped to consecrate. He was a Grand Officer in the Royal

Arch. He held high office in several other orders including Knights

Templar and Rose Croix, where he was promoted to 31 Degrees.

His wife, Dora passed away many years ago and he is survived by

his son.

One can truly say that Dennis was a very quiet, kind and caring

Mason and he was always ready to encourage and help newer

members. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a true

gentleman.

(continued on page 8)

Obituaries W.Bro. Brian Llewellyn Grant, PPAGDC

Filton Lodge of Fortitude

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 27th August, 2015.

Bro. Brian was born on Christmas Day,

1936, in Bristol. He was apprenticed to

Bristol Aeroplane Company until con-

scripted into the RAF. While serving in the

RAF, he met Venetia at a function and

though he had to make a 400-mile jour-

ney to visit, their courtship was a success

and they married in 1961. Following a

brief residence in Coalpit Heath, they

moved to their long-term home in Thorn-

bury. Brian had many interests, including Motor Racing, Golf,

Photography, Hi-Fi and Astronomy. He and Venetia also loved to

visit the Lake District.

Brian’s interest in Freemasonry led to him being initiated into the

Filton Lodge of Fortitude on 19th December 1984. He was

Passed on 25th February, 1985 and Raised on 23rd September

1985. Brian, strongly supported by Venetia, eventually reached

the Chair in 2003. He and Venetia were keen and active mem-

bers of the Lodge social activities.

Brian received Provincial Honours in 2008, and was promoted in

2015 to Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

He was also a member of the Uno Corde Lodge in the Somerset

Province, a Mark Master Mason and a Royal Ark Mariner.

Brian had had his fair share of health problems. A diabetic for

over 30 years, he had a triple bypass, but dealt with it all. How-

ever, when diagnosed with celiac disease, his tenacity started to

falter.

He was a quiet and unassuming man, but popular, and gener-

ous in his praise for others, whom he felt did good work.

Brian passed away on 27th August, 2015, following a serious

coronary.

W.Bro. William (‘Bill’) Arthur Stirling, PPSGW

Filton Lodge of Fortitude

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 24th March, 2016.

Bro. Bill was the fourth most senior mason

in the Province of Gloucestershire. In

1959, he was the first Initiate of the Filton

Lodge of Fortitude to reach the Master’s

Chair. He had been Initiated in the newly

consecrated Filton Lodge of Fortitude on

24th November 1947, Passed on the 22nd

March 1948, and Raised on 27th Septem-

Page 7

Issue 6, September 2016 Annual Newsletter

The UGLE Tercentenary Celebrations

Please support our sponsors and partners, who have DONATED enormous amounts of time and/or materials to the Hall...

The Hall is looking for ideas

and volunteers to help us in in

the U.G.L.E. Tercentenary

Celebrations, commemorating

300 years of Freemasonry, for

the next 12 months or so. We

are looking to host about

FOUR events at the Hall spread

between now and next Octo-

ber (2017). ALL Members and

ALL Lodges are invited to get

involved with celebrating this

remarkable milestone.

There is no fundraising element

required, just a celebratory

event themed around the

Tercentenary (though fundraising is always welcome!).

Please contact Steve Manning, who is our Coordinator, with your

ideas and offers of help. He can be contacted on 07793-642448

or stephenmanning@btconnect.com.

Sincerity in 2016 It has been a busy year for the Lodge of Sincerity with a variety of

events so far this year.

On the 2nd March we were pleased to initiate our first Hungarian

candidate, Bro Gabriel Csetneki. He was warmly received into the

Lodge and Freemasonry, and went on to his advancement on the

4th May under the watchful eyes of the Filton Lodge of Fortitude who

were on their Fraternal Visit. We look forward to his raising is in Octo-

ber, and many further enjoyable years in Freemasonry.

On the 6th April, the Lodge was pleased to receive the Talking Heads

Presentation on the Royal Arch. This was a very enjoyable evening,

most ably presented by Worshipful Brothers C Ames, K Checkley and

R Britton.

The Lodge has also been on a return Fraternal Visit to the Filton Lodge

of Fortitude, and to Southey Lodge in Clevedon. We are looking for-

ward to our Fraternal Visit to St Nicholas in Bristol in October, and their

return to us.

To finish before the summer recess, our last meeting on the 1st June

was a White Table dinner with wives, partners and guests present. This

proved a great success, and was a very enjoyable social occasion.

Dave Foreman, Secretary.

Have you visited the Hall’s website? The Hall’s upgraded website at www.fmhcl.org.uk has been running for just

over a year now and is the place to visit for any news from Lodges, the Province, or

from the Hall itself.

There is a plethora of good information for visitors, including a pictorial description

of the Hall , how to find us and our car parking facilities. Members and visitors can

also check the Hall Calendar to see what’s on at the Hall. The Calendar is always

kept up to date and is the definitive source for events at the Hall. There is a Notice-

board, where significant items of news and other interest are posted, which com-

pliments the News From The Hall, which outlines day-to-day news.

This is your website. Contact the Hall Secretary and Webmaster, Geoff Warburton,

to get anything listed or advertised on the website. Get involved!

Tercentenary Stop Press! The Hall is considering running a ‘Masonic Bake-off’

competition as part of the celebrations, probably next summer or early autumn.

This will be open to the public and form part of an ‘open day’. If you can help

organise or steward such an event, please let any of the Hall Committee know.

We need volunteers to turn these ideas into reality!

Annual Newsletter Issue 6 September 2016

Page 8

Welcome, Brother!

Continuing our feature, where a warm welcome is extended to the new-

est members of the Craft at the Hall. This year we welcome...

Bro. Jonathan Craig Boulton, who was initiated into the Filton Lodge of

Fortitude on the 16th December 2015. Bro. Jonathan is a self-employed

Project Manager and lives in St George. Welcome, Bro. Jonathan!

Bro. Andrew James Strachan, who was initiated into Hambrook Lodge

on 19th January, 2016. Bro. Andrew is a retired Police Officer and lives in

Southmead. Welcome, Bro. Andrew! (See page 3—Hambrook’s Annual

Burns Night Celebrations).

Bro. David Stephen Wilmot, who was initiated into Hambrook Lodge on

23rd February, 2016. David is a Financial Adviser and lives in Stapleton.

Welcome, David!

Bro. Gabriel Csetneki, who was initiated into the Lodge of Sincerity on

the 2nd March, 2016. Bro. Gabriel is a Theatre Director and lives in

Clifton. Welcome, Bro. Gabriel! (See page 7—Sincerity in 2016)

Bro. Christopher Lewis Allen, who was initiated by his father, Ken, into the

Lodge of True Friendship on 9th June, 2016 (see page 5—True Friendship

initiates a ‘Lewis’). Bro. Christopher is a Contract Manager and lives in

Cadbury Heath. Welcome, Bro. Christopher!

And a warm welcome to all other new masons initiated in the past year

at the Hall... WELCOME!

which he joined the Gloucestershire Installed

Masters Lodge. In 1979, he became a founder

member of Hambrook Lodge, and introduced

his son-in-law, Terry, to the Lodge. He was im-

mensely proud to see Terry reach the chair in

2001. Dave’s Provincial career commenced

with an active office as Senior Grand Deacon

in 1980, and over the years in recognition of his

dedication, was eventually promoted to Past

Senior Grand Warden.

Dave was well-known for his advice and unofficial mentoring of mem-

bers of Downend, Hambrook and Kingswood Chase Lodges, a quality

which was recognised by the Province when making him Liaison Officer

for Kingswood Chase Lodge. His work and dedication to these Lodges

earned him Honorary membership of all 3 Lodges.

Dave was also very active in other Orders, including Rose Croix, Knights

Templar (achieving high office) and Knights Templar Priests, but he was

a very dedicated Royal Arch mason.

After being exalted into Kingswood Chase Chapter in 1966, he served

as MEZ (First Principal), no less than 3 times in 1977, 1988 and 2002. He

again received active Provincial Honours in Royal Arch as Grand Sword

Bearer in 1979, and received the honour of Grand Rank as Past Grand

Standard Bearer in 2004.

A dedicated, model mason who lived respected and died regretted.

He will be missed by many, whom he touched with his warmth, friend-

ship and integrity.

Obituaries

W.Bro. Harold William (‘Bill’) Marriott,

PPGSwdB

Hambrook Lodge

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 31st December,

2015.

Bro. Bill died peacefully at his home in Downend on

New Year’s Eve afternoon, aged 84.

Bill was born on 29th August 1931 joining Masonry in 1989

when he was initiated into Hambrook Lodge 8909 on

28th February. In November of 1997 Bill became Master

of the Lodge after which from 1999 until 2010 he served

the Lodge in the office of Almoner. He was also a mem-

ber of Gloucestershire Installed Master’s Lodge No 7900

which he joined in May of 2002.

Bill also gained Provincial rank in May 2002 as Past Pro-

vincial Senior Grand Deacon, before being promoted

to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in May 2009. He

was also a committed Royal Arch Mason being exalted

into Kingswood Chase Chapter No 4666 in May 1995,

before resigning on health grounds in 2013. He had also

been a member of Downend Chapter Rose Croix No

383 and was a staunch supporter of Stapleton Lodge of

Instruction.

Bill is survived by his wife Val, daughter Mandy, son-in-

law Bro Peter, son Gary and daughter-in-law Rose. Bill

was a larger than life character who touched the lives

of many Hambrook brethren, although his attendance

in recent years was severely hampered by ill health, he

will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.

Bro. Colston John Elliott

Filton Lodge of Fortitude

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 22nd April, 2016.

Bro. Colston was a long-standing member of the Filton

Lodge of Fortitude, though he rarely attended Lodge.

He was Initiated on 20th December, 1978, Passed on the

26th February, 1979 and Raised on 23rd May, 1979.

Cole died suddenly at his Henleaze home in his arm-

chair from a ruptured aortic aneurism, aged 77 years.

Cole is survived by his wife, Kay.

W.Bro. David Reginald Durnford, PPSGW

Hambrook Lodge

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 23rd May, 2016.

Bro. David was Initiated into Downend Lodge in 1961 by

daughter Marie’s grandfather, Don Sheppard. Dave

became the Master of Downend in 1975, following

Obituary (cont.)