Congratulations to Eric Johns – 60 years as a Royal Arch Mason

It was the 23rd June 1965 when Eric was exalted into Fowey Chapter, No 977 in the Province of Cornwall (they patently had very good taste). Fowey chapter still meets in Cornwall, at Tywardreath, Par and will celebrate its 80th birthday in January next year.

Andy Wade (3rd Provincial Grand Principal), along with Matt Westley and Peter Harris of Chapter Marine, visited Eric at his house on the 25th June 2025, to present him with a certificate containing greetings and good wishes from the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, to mark the 60th Anniversary of his exaltation into the Royal Arch. Congratulations Eric.

Eric still has wonderful Cornish accent, but he and his family moved away from Cornwall in the 1980’s, and upon arriving in Portishead, he joined Lodge Marine No 232 in October 1987. When Chapter Marine was attached to Lodge Marine, Eric became a founder member in January 1990, and has been a member ever since (the founders of Chapter Marine also patently had good taste). Eric was Most Excellent Zerubbabel in 2010, and before being honoured as an honorary member in October 2022, spent many years making meetings much more enjoyable with his musical accompaniment as Organist.

Eric is a bit of an old hand when it comes to receiving certificate as is evinced below, which in order show
• 50th Anniversary in Freemasonry from Right Worshipful Brother Stuart Hadler
• 60th Anniversary in Freemasonry from Right Worshipful Brother Ray Guthrie
• 50th Anniversary in the Royal Arch from Most Excellent Grand Superintendent D John Bennet
• 60th Anniversary in the Royal Arch from Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Ray Guthrie