Tommy Rowland received his 60th at showmen’s Guild

At our September meeting we were very honoured to be able to present one of our members with his 60 Year Certificate of continuous membership within our Lodge and The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall

Normally, these Certificates are presented by one of the Provincial Executive, with an entourage of Provincial Officers in support. However, back when I was contacted by the Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary regarding arrangements for this, our member was not in too good health, so after consulting the family, it was determined that the presentation would be at his home, with very little fuss.

Tommy Rowland being the man that he is, was most put out that this was not being carried out in the lodge, so just a couple of days before our meeting, plans rapidly changed and the presentation took place at our meeting. Unfortunately, due to the lateness of the event, our Provincial Executive we attending meeting in London.

Step forward, Ray Rowe, another staunch lodge member but more importantly, a very close family friend. Ray gathered some masonic details and some personal details and put together a presentation which was not only very personal but very emotional. I am sure there were some watery eyes at numerous points of the presentation. Taking nothing from a full on Provincial Presentation, I don’t think it would have been such a moving evening.

The photo’s show Ray Rowe presenting Thomas Rowland with his 60 Year Certificate and our Worshipful Master.

Ben Jenkins and Alan Jenkins (both Tommy’s Grandsons), Rowland and Alan Jenkins P.P.S.G.W Somerset (Tommy’s son in law, and fellow member of the Showmen’s Guild Lodge. Alan is seen holding a certificate of congratulations from the Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Somerset.

Nathan Henderson