What is a Masonic Veteran?
As the name suggest’s a Masonic Veteran has been an active Freemason for 50 years from the date of his Initiation. When that occasion arises the United Grand Lodge of England confirms that honour and in our case the R.W.Provincial Grand Master for South Wales authorises and signs a Certificate to commerate the occasion.
Our senior past master, W. Bro George Colin Bradley PPrSGW celebrated his golden jubilee on 13th November 2013, exactly 50 years to the day since his Initiation on the 13th November 1963 by Wor. Bro. H. T. Price. W. Bro. Colin is the second of three generations of Worshipful masters of the Loyal Wye. His father W. Bro. George L. Bradley PPGD was initiated in 1932 and became Master of the lodge in 1945, and was a member of the lodge for 40 years until his death in August 1972.
Colin became worshipful master in 1979 and again in 2008 when his elder son Wor. Bro. G. Mark Bradley PPGOrg installed him into the chair of King Solomon as Colin had previously done for Wor. Bro. Mark in 2004, who himself has been Master twice in 1993 and 2004.
November the 13th has another special meaning in the Bradley family as Colin’s identical twin sons Mark and Andrew, were jointly initiated on 13th November 1985. Both sons were at the Lodge to celebrate their father’s jubilee; Bro. Dr. Andrew Bradley resides in Gowerton but has remained a member of his Mother lodge ever since his Initiation.
Loyal Wye lodge was very pleased to welcome Rt. W. Bro. Hywel Davies PPrGM as the representative of the Rt. W. Provincial Grand Master Rt. W. Bro. Gareth Jones OBE to present to W. Bro. Colin a certificate marking this milestone in his Masonic career.
Colin has filled all the progressive offices of the Lodge and has been DC, he is currently in The Chair for the third time acting, to quote him ‘as Caretaker ‘ until handing over to his successor, Bro Graham Jackson in October 2019
Between them the three generations of four Bradley Masons have been members of the Loyal Wye for a combined total of 146 years, a remarkable statistic.
Colin’s past provincial ranks are PPrJGD, PPrJGW and finally PPrSGW in 2011.
The evening of 11 November 2015 was a special occasion for the Loyal Wye Lodge, when one of the senior past masters W. Bro Ashwynne Jones PPrGSwdB celebrated his golden jubilee. The Lodge was very pleased to welcome Rt. W. Bro. Hywel Davies PPrGM as the representative of the Rt. W. Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. Gareth Jones OBE to present the certificate to Wor.Bro.Ashwynne marking this milestone in his Masonic career.
Ashwynne’s earliest memories of freemasonry were during his childhood when he was puzzled by the constant disappearance of his father into his bedroom, clutching a small black book and muttering to himself. All became clear however when he realised his father was a member of the London Carmarthenshire Lodge and indeed became their WM in 1953. So Ashwynne was brought up in a household where freemasonry was a part of daily life.
Hardly surprising therefore that when he moved to Builth Wells in 1959 to join a veterinary practice that he once again found himself under the influence of freemasonry through his work and his leisure interests, and consequently joined the Loyal Wye Lodge in 1965. Progressing through the ranks, he became the WM in 1981 and thereafter for a number of years was the Lodge Almoner.
He was appointed to PPAGDC in 1983 and later promoted to PPGSwdB.
On March 11th 2020 W.Bro. Phil Adams was presented with his 50 Year Commemorative Certificate. W.Bro. Phil was Initiated in Foxhall Lodge which meets in the Province of West Lancashire and of which he is a Past Master.
He is also a Past Master of Ithon Lodge No 3320. He has been an enthusiastic Member of Loyal Wye for the past 8 years, and in his response he thanked all present for their warmth and friendship during his time at Loyal Wye.
He is currently the Mentoring Officer, a role which he undertakes with his customary dedication.
At the Meeting of Loyal Wye on September 08th. 2021 both W.Bro’s Ernie Beaumont and Barrie Probert received their 50year Certificate from W.Bro. Des Preece
Bro. Ernie is a Past Master of Loyal Wye and currently the Lodge Almoner. Bro. Barrie is the Lodge Organist, an Office some would say is essential for the harmony of the Lodge, harmony being the musical version as opposed to the fellowship we all enjoy in the Loyal Wye.
Both of these distinguished Brethren are Past Masters of our Daughter Lodge, – Ithon 3320, which meets in Llandrindod Wells.
