On Wednesday 6 March, 2024, 83 years old WBro John Hodgkinson celebrated 50 years as a Freemason.
He was initiated in Latimer Lodge No 4705 at Radlett in Hertfordshire in April 1974, serving in all the progressive offices. In 1982/3 and 2003/4 he was Worshipful Master and, later, Director of Ceremonies, Charity Steward and Chaplain. He became a joining member of Grey Friars in 2006 and an Honorary member in 2017, serving as Junior Warden and Mentoring Coordinator and was also a Past Zerubbabel of St John’s Chapter No 3972. Many will also remember him as a long-time Preceptor in the Northampton United Lodge of Instruction.
(l to r) Mark Aitkin, John Hodgkinson, Gerry Crawford, & Mark Capel
He started his working life in a joinery shop but an unfortunate accident in which he lost most of the fingers of his left hand led to a role away from the shop floor as an estimator. John took a leading part when his company installed some of the ornate woodwork you now see in the House of Commons.
John has a favourite story he used to tell inquisitive children about loosing his fingers involving him being a not very successful lion tamer !
Subsequently, John and his wife, Jill, ran a restaurant in Cornwall and then a public house in Dereham, Norfolk before retiring to Flore, near Northampton.
Unfortunately, he has been living with dementia for eight years and this has now reached an advanced stage.
In presenting John with his Jubilee Certificate, Gerry Crawford, praised John’s contribution to Freemasonry over 50 years, thanked Jill for all her support and presented her with flowers. On behalf of Latimer Lodge, WBro Mark Aitkin presented Jill with flowers.
John & Jill Hodgkinson
Staff at Ashurst Mews Care Home, Moulton, where John is resident, baked a wonderfully decorated cake especially for the occasion and provided suitable decorations and made sure everyone was well catered for.
It is sad to report that, on 7 April, a month after this celebration, John Hodgkinson, passed to the Grand Lodge Above.