white_rose_newsletter_42-1 - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West ...

INCREDIBLE – HE’S BEENTHE TYLER FOR 45 YEARS!AN incredible record was celebrated at Rotherham’sFitzwilliam Lodge No 3023 earlier this year when Bro KennethBanks PPGTyler received an accolade from AssistantProvincial Grand Master Anthony B Brailsford.Bro Banks has been Tyler of Fitzwilliam Lodge since 1965and W Bro Brailsford, in heaping well deserved praise uponhim, also presented him with a commemorative certificate fromthe Provincial Grand Master.And later, at the Festive Board, Bro Ken was presented witha pair of specially engraved cut glass tumblers and a veryspecial Speyside malt whisky from the members of the Lodge.W Bro Brailsford, explained to the Brethren present why thisspecial presentation was taking place and said that back in1964, representation had been made to the Provincial GrandMaster that “for the better conduct and management of thebusiness of the said Lodge it is necessary that a ServingBrother should be admitted to assist in the duties thereof.”So, at a regular meeting held on 30 April 1964 FitzwilliamLodge had received a special dispensation from the ProvincialGrand Master to “initiate Mr Kenneth Banks as a ServingBrother of the Lodge, free of fees and charges.”Mr Banks was balloted for and elected and then admittedinto the Lodge and Initiated by the Acting Master, W Bro CecilMarkham, in the year that W Bro Arthur (Nipper) Gould, hisproposer, was actually Master of the Lodge. Bro Ken wassubsequently Passed and Raised.From January 1965 Bro Ken acted as Assistant Tyler to BroLes Hunt, until he was elected by the members and investedas Tyler in November 1965. Says W Bro John Beaven,Secretary of Fitzwilliam Lodge: “Bro Hunt was Tyler of ourMother Lodge, Phoenix No 904 and he and Ken worked sideby side for many years. Eventually, Bro Ken became Tyler to allfour Rotherham Craft Lodges, something he is immenselyBro Banks is pictured with Assistant PGM W Bro Brailsfordproud of and something for which all today’s RotherhamFreemasons are eternally grateful.”In the 100-year history of Fitzwilliam Lodge there have beenonly six Tylers – W Bro T W Broome, Bro T Chester, Bro W JEvans, Bro B N Ridings, Bro G L Hunt and Bro Banks.In 2000 the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V W Bro StanleyHodgkiss, had conferred Past Provincial Rank in recognitionof his services to Freemasonry.Since his retirement from work in the building trade someyears ago Bro Ken has spent countless hours at Wellgate. Hehas been a friendly, calming influence in the backgroundduring meetings and at other occasions, always making surethat everything runs smoothly and efficiently, never beingflustered or rushed in any way.“He is a great credit to Freemasonry in general andRotherham Masonry in particular,” says W Bro Beaven. “Heis universally liked and respected by all who are fortunateenough to have known him. There are few, if any, RotherhamMasons who have not been prepared by Bro Ken for theirceremonies.”TEN MINUTE TEASER, CENTRE SQUARE CLUE “HOW MANY MAKE A LODGE PERFECT ?”THIS PAGE IS SUPPORTED BY VICTORIA LODGE No. 2669. Meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month except August.The Midland Hotel, Cheapside, Bradford, West Yorks. BD1 4HU.32