50 Years of Freemasonry – Bro. Peter Turner, Saturnian Lodge No. 7563

Saturday 11th October 2008 saw Saturnian Lodge No. 7563, in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Terry Hudson, celebrate 50 years of Freemasonry for Bro Peter Turner. The Lodge was also delighted to have as a guest Frank Wilkinson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Terry Hudson outlined Peter's history. He was the 5th initiate into Saturnian Lodge by joining at the age of 26 on 21 June 1958 at The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool.  He was born in South Manchester but made his first trip to Blackpool in 1939 when he was evacuated to Marton Moss for a short while. Later he was called into National Service and served with the Intelligence Corps for 2 years mostly in Malaya.

Afterwards whilst working for Burroughs he met his proposer into Freemasonry, Norman Brimelow, who was a Founder of Saturnian Lodge. His Seconder was Frank Platt, also a Founder and the first Director of Ceremonies. Peter naturally took to the floor and got as far as Senior Deacon but unfortunately because of a relocation to Surrey he was unable to progress further. He did however maintain his Lodge membership, because it meant so much to him, up until 2007 when he was made an Honorary Member.

Peter has lived for many years in Yorkshire where he expanded his Freemasonry into Knaresborough Lodge No. 4171, Royal Arch Masonry with Constitution Chapter, as well as a Rose Croix in Wakefield and the St Helena Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine. He now plans to spend more time in Kent near to his children and grandchildren.

Photo left to right   Frank Wilkinson   Terry Hudson    Christopher Lee – WM    Peter Turner