Concord Lodge 757 met on the 15th of October at 6 pm, 2025. The business of the day was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the WBro George Harry Scaife PAGDC, who was initiated in Concord Lodge on the 31st of May 1975.
Once the lodge was opened, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Wesley Marchant PSGD, accompanied by a provincial deputation, was admitted. The Worshipful Master of the lodge, WBro Tony Graeme, handed the gavel to the APGM. After accepting it, the APGM called off the meeting and instructed the Tyler to admit members of George’s family and friends. He then invited WBro Stephen Dunks to address those assembled with an account of George’s 50 years within the Craft.
WBro Dunks pointed out that “For half a century, George exemplified the values that lie at the heart of this noble trade: skill, integrity, hard work, and pride in craftsmanship. In every block laid, every structure built, and every apprentice guided, he has built more than walls – he has helped build communities.” The APGM went on to say that the likes of George was exactly what the order desperately needed today. He also mentioned “that George, assisted by (some would say supervised by) his wife, had been involved in everything in the province over the years”.
The APGM went on to say that the likes of George were exactly what the order desperately needed today. He also mentioned “that George, assisted by (some would say supervised by) his wife, had been involved in everything in the province over the years”.
The APGM then went to sit down with George in the body of the lodge and asked him what first attracted him to Freemasonry at a time when, as a serving Police Officer, it was frowned upon. A question that the APGM may have been asked many times himself, for he also served in that profession. Shared activities between the two of them did not end here; both George and the APGM had spent several years working together as Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, and their paths crossed numerous times. Indeed, common bonds extended across many who were present, and much of this bonding would no doubt have emanated from George himself; his nature is to connect with those he meets. He does this naturally, and this is no doubt at the root of his popularity and the good feeling so many extend towards him.
George’s family members in the lodge room and the subsequent celebration dinner included his wife Diane, daughter Alison and her husband Craig, Molly and Declan, Jess and Ben, friends Janet and Stuart, as well as granddaughter Fay and her fiancé. The positive feelings towards George extended to the social board and were clear throughout the room. For instance, during the friendly banter in the post-meal speeches—such as when George was called a good fellow all round—one of George’s former police colleagues joked that the speaker should have tried working with him. This was met with a remark from a family member suggesting they should try living with him. George, talking about completing the Coast to Coast Cycling Challenge and raising £3,629 plus Gift Aid for the EL Festival 2026, modestly played down his achievement, attributing it to the support of his family and those around him, as if he had no part in it.
