On Wednesday, 5th November 2025, Trinity Lodge 5651 gathered to honour the 60 years that Wbro Donald Roberts PJGD had dedicated to the Craft. The celebration began with the admission of the Deputy Grand Master, VW Bro John A Griffin, PGSwdB, accompanied by a provincial deputation consisting of: 

• WBro Wes Marchant, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for the Area
• Wbro Nigel Johnson, the Area Chairman 
• EComp Steve Boyle, the Assistant Provincial Grand Principal for the Area
• WBro Ian Hunter, the Provincial Senior Grand Warden
• WBro Philip Titterton, the Provincial Junior Grand Warden 
• WBro Ian Hunter, the Provincial Senior Grand Warden
• WBro. Craig Hindle, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
• WBro. Phill Collier, the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies

Also in attendance were:

• VWBro Nolan Morrison,Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master
• WBro William Waite PSGD, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master
• WBro Mark Davis PSGD Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master
• WBro Allan Bennion, PJGD, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent
• WBro Stan Bibby PJGD
• WBro Dr Michael Boden PJGD
• WBro Norman Clarke PAGDC
• WBro Gerry Hodson PAGDC
• WBro Chris Bolton PAGSwdB
• WBro Rodney Wild PGStB

Others attending included members of Trinity Lodge, members of the Southern Area Provincial Team, and many visiting friends of the celebrant.

The Worshipful Master offered the Gavel to the Deputy Grand Master, and it was accepted. (As an aside, I mention that, as the WM, I was very relieved that the DeputyGrand Master did accept the Gavel, for although it was never in doubt that he would, he did ask what I would do if he handed it back to me – my reply was that I would have panicked. I mention this to illustrate the warmth, good humour, as well as the sense of occasion that marked this meeting from the very beginning.) The Deputy Grand Master announced that the day was both a celebration and an acknowledgement of WBro Roberts’s years of service and achievements.

WBro Alan Bennion paid a personal tribute to Don. They have been close friends for many years and continue to work very hard for Trinity Lodge. Alan also has an equally significant celebration coming up shortly.

WBro Roberts is not just a well-respected Freemason who has made significant contributions to supporting the Craft; he has been dedicated to the principle that Freemasons are not merely Brethren but also good friends. His current role as Chair of the Audenshaw Fellowship and his ongoing efforts to strengthen bonds between Freemasons and the community further emphasise the sustained energy he has invested in creating lasting connections built on goodwill.

At the social board, Don responded to the toast given in his honour. Besides thanking everyone who worked hard to make it such a wonderful occasion, he also shared his involvement in other activities, notably Scouting and Rugby Union. Don played Union from his teens until his early thirties. He remains active in his former rugby club, Ashton RFC, and recently served as its President. 

Don mentioned that he initially joined Freemasonry after meeting many welcoming people during his early exposure to Masonic events, where friends and their families gathered. Besides his Masonic duties, Don has previously worked diligently when non-Masons attend, such as at the Christmas Carol service, ladies’ evening, and other social events. At these gatherings, he was accompanied by close family members, including his late wife, daughters Janet and Ann, and their grandchildren and families. Throughout the sixty years he has been a Freemason, he has maintained this sense of inclusion and the value of family, as exemplified by his son-in-law, WBro Naill Perry, and his granddaughter’s husband, “Sinbad,” both of whom are members of the Craft.

 

I leave you with Don’s words, “Freemasonry has not only enriched my own life- it has become part of the Fabric of our family. It has given us shared experiences, common values, and a heritage that will continue long after I have laid down my tools. To have served the craft for sixty years is a privilege. To see my family walk with me in that journey is a blessing beyond measure.”

Thank you to Niall Perry for taking all of the photographs of the event.