Whilst working in the Port of Hull in 1972, a chance encounter with a Freemason and subsequent conversation resulted in Jeff developing an interest in, and love of, Freemasonry which has endured for almost half a century.

The Old Hymerian Lodge of Freemasons was consecrated by the Marquess of Zetland in 1949 and its first Worshipful Master was William Victor Cavill, Headmaster of the School from 1927 to 1951.  It enjoys a proud history of being the lodge of preference for many notable Old Hymerians - teachers, local benefactors, and men of distinction. Whilst membership is no longer restricted to Old Hymerians, the lodge retains close links with the school, but is now open to all suitable candidates. Members include businessmen, teachers, retired armed service personnel, consultants, accountants, lawyers, and farmers amongst many others. The Old Hymerian Lodge is affiliated with the Federation of School Lodges.

Jeff was proposed for membership by Old Hymerian Ronnie McAusland and seconded by R C (Chuff) Dennis, a Master from the school, and was then duly initiated in March 1973. It is fair to say that he immediately enjoyed his Freemasonry and was a very regular attendee at the lodge until leaving to take up employment as a Port Management Consultant in the Middle East and the Far East for a period of 10 years. Upon his return from abroad, he was welcomed back into the lodge as if he had never been away, which is perhaps something unique to Freemasonry, for once a brother always a brother.

Firm friendships were made with many Old Hymerians whose names will be well known to their peers. Eric Waddington and Geoffrey Norman Clarke became particularly close friends and indeed, mentors. Both Eric and Geoffrey went on to be appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Masters of the Province. Jeff, for his part, has been involved at a senior Provincial level for more than 25 years since being appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1997 by the then Provincial Grand Master, His Honour Judge Gerald Coles, who was the Principal Speaker at one of our Annual Dinners at the school some years ago. In 2003 Jeff followed in the footsteps of Eric Waddington and Geoffrey Norman Clarke by being appointed an Assistant Provincial Grand Master but was made Deputy Provincial Grand Master a year later. In 2013, the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, HRH The Duke of Kent, appointed Jeff Provincial Grand Master in and over the Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings with responsibility for its 100 lodges and 4,000 masons.

Since 1997, more than 25 years were spent traveling to visit lodges across the length and breadth of Yorkshire North and East Riding until the HRH The Duke of Kent consented to Jeff’s retirement on the 30th June 2022. Despite his recent retirement, Jeff remains very active in Freemasonry both locally and in London. 

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