Jubilee Certificates for Members of St John's Lodge No 3972

The meeting in Northampton of St John’s Lodge No 3972 on Monday 18 January 2010 was a very special special occasion.

Brothers at very different stages in their masonic careers took centre stage. For Bro Johan-Christ Moukoko, who was born in Cameroon, West Africa, and is a 41 years old secondary school teacher of French, it was his first day as a Freemason as he was initiated into the Lodge.

For two other Bros it was a celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Wayne Williams, presented them with their Jubilee Certificates.

WBro Wayne Williams said WBro George Short, 84 years, a retired teacher of mathematics, had been initiated into St John’s Lodge 50 years ago to the day. He had been its organist for 18 years and its Worshipful Master in 1974. He became a ProvGStwd in 1976, PPGReg in 1980, PPJGW in 1989 and PPSGW in 1990.

(l to R) WBro Wayne Williams, Bro John Bogan, WM WBro Mark Douglast & WBro George Short

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master (who is also the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of the Holy Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire) particularly thanked Bro George for his support of the Holy Royal Arch in the Province over many years. Bro George was promoted to Grand Rank (PAGDC) in the Holy Royal Arch in 1996. Clearly moved by the emotion of the occasion Bro George sincerely thanked WBro Williams.

(l to r) The most senior Lodge member, WBro George Short, welcomes the most junior, Bro Johan-Christ Moukoko

In April 1959 Bro John Bogan was initiated into St Munn Ardnadam Lodge No 496 (meeting in Argyll under the Grand Lodge of Scotland). A Marine Engineer, his work took him to many parts of the world. In 2008 he moved to Northampton and became a joining member of St John’s Lodge where he is now the Inner Guard.

In presenting Bro John with his Jubilee Certificate, WBro Williams said that although Bro John had only been a member of this Province for two years the Certificate celebrated the contribution he had made in the whole of his 50 years as a Freemason.

Bro John said, “The current Worshipful Master, WBro Mark Douglas, is the youngest WM the Lodge has ever had. If I progress through the offices, as I intend to do, I shall probably be the oldest!”