The meeting of Abington Lodge No. 8041 held at Sheaf Close, Northampton on Saturday the 19th of January 2019 was a very special one for WBro John 'Bomber' Harris PPSGW, who received his 50-year Golden Jubilee certificate from the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes.

WBro John Harris (left) receiving his certificate from the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes, with the Master of Abington Lodge, WBro Peter Metcalf, seated in the Master's Chair.

WBro John was initiated into Abington Lodge No. 8041 on the 18th of January 1969. He joined Old Wellingburian Lodge No. 5570 on the 3rd of May 1985, and became a founder member of Grand Junction Lodge No. 9775 on the 20th of April 2004.

John became Master of Abington Lodge in 1979, Old Wellinburian Lodge in 1998, and Abington Lodge again in 2016. He has served the office of Director of Ceremonies or Assistant Director of Ceremonies no less than 9-times.

John received his first Provincial appointment in 1985, when he was made Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, He received subsequent promotions in 1991, 1993, 1997, and 2005. He now holds the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden.

WBro John was exalted into the Abington Chapter of Holy Royal Arch in 1976. He became MEZ in 1983 and received his latest Provincial appointment in 2003, when he was made Past Provincial Grand Scribe N.

During the meeting, the Provincial Grand Master told the brethren that on hearing of WBro John's 50-years in Freemasonry, he decided to pay an extra official visit to the Lodge to honour John's incredible contribution to Freemasonry, not only in Craft, but also in many other Masonic orders.

The PGM paid homage to John's willingness to step into any roll at the last moment, and based on John's continued performance, said he fully expected to present John with a 60-year certificate in 10-years time.

The PGM did however make reference to John's unofficial title of 'the late WBro John Harris' on account of his uncanny knack of turning-up to each meeting no earlier than 5-minutes before it was due to start, a skill that many of the brethren present could attest to!

We congratulate WBro John on his incredible achievement and very much hope we will be able to report on the presentation of his Diamond Jubilee certificate in 2029.