John Rook Receives his 50 Year Service Award

It was a wonderful evening for John Rook at a recent meeting of Benevolent 446. On arrival he was greeted by non-other than Past Provincial Grand Master Stuart Hadler. Stuart had made the journey to Wells to present John with a Certificate marking 50 years in Freemasonry. The Lodge meets at the Wells & Mendip Museum, and it was a full house for the presentation. Stuart took John down memory lane, recapping on his achievements.John was initiated into Charterhouse Lodge 5690 in Warwickshire in 1973 and became WM in 1993 and again in 2001. He was treasurer of that Lodge for 18 years and in all that time only missed – and that was due to bad weather! He was appointed PPrJGW in 2015. 

He joined Benevolent in 2012, having been a regular visitor and was appointed treasurer the following year. He joined Avalon Chapter and became First Principle in 2018, was  promoted to PPrGStdB in 2022, and is of course currently treasurer!  He is a member of both KT and Rose Croix. 

Stuart told the assembled Brethren that among his other qualifications, John is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a member of the Society of Automobile Engineers and holds a BSc Degree in Engineering. He was chief engineer of Daimler Bus and  Executive Engineer at Jaguar before becoming a director of Aston Martin Tickford. “So, Brethren – if you need any advice on Jaguar or Aston Martin – John is your man!” added Stuart. 

John thanked Stuart for making the presentation and also his long-time friend Mike Reeve who had travelled all the way down from Warwickshire to represent the WM and Brethren of the Charterhouse Lodge. Mike said “It is wonderful be here to see John receive his Certificate from the PastPGM. All of the Brethren of Charterhouse send their very warmest wishes.”

Barry Davies

LCO Benevolent Lodge