The members of Peace and Unity Lodge No 3966 and their guests filled the lodge room at Blackpool Masonic Hall to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Peter Riddle celebrating 60 years in Freemasonry. Principal guest, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Duncan Smith, along with the usual entourage of grand and acting Provincial grand officers were ably escorted into the lodge room by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin.
Master of the lodge, Carl Spindler, offered the gavel of the lodge to Duncan who gladly accepted it on this special occasion. Duncan welcomed everyone to this significant event, informing the brethren that Peter is now in the select 60th club and that it was a privilege to lead this celebration.
Peter’s father was a highly skilled stone mason and a member of Peace and Unity Lodge. Because of this connection it was only time before he was invited to join the lodge. Paul Cummings, secretary of Peace and Unity Lodge, read an extract from the minutes of the initiation meeting. It showed that Peter was initiated into Peace and Unity Lodge on 25 September 1964, working through the list of officers to become WM of the lodge on 27 March 1992. He afterwards served as lodge treasurer and mentor, eventually being given honorary membership in recognition of the service and dedication to Peace and Unity Lodge. Peter’s first appointment to Provincial rank was to Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 2001 with a promotion to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 2007.
Peter was born in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, famous for the television comedy series ‘Last of the Summer Wine.’ He then moved to Blackpool where he attended Claremont School and played cricket for the local church. After starting work as a painter and decorator, he changed jobs and moved to the finance department at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. He went on to marry Sheila at the Holy Trinity Church in Blackpool eventually being blessed with two daughters.
Peter has had a busy and successful life, in addition to Freemasonry he has been a member of Rotary and the Round Table, also finding time to play golf and serve as a magistrate for over 30 years. Duncan concluded by wishing Peter and Sheila all the best for the future.
The Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly read the 60th scroll from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, which thanked Peter for his 60 years of loyal service to Freemasonry. Stephen then presented Peter with a 60th lapel badge, complete with an inset diamond on behalf of the Blackpool Group. An emotional Peter thanked Duncan for all his work in compiling the presentation and to the members and guests of Peace and Unity Lodge for this special 60th celebration event. Duncan then invited the WM, Carl Spindler, to reoccupy the chair of King Solomon.
At the festive board, Duncan presented Peter with a copy of the presentation given in the lodge room. After a fine meal supplied by Shaun and his team at Masonic Catering, Ken Sykes proposed a toast to Peter. Ken informed the brethren that he joined Peace and Unity Lodge 59 years ago, soon after Peter had joined when the lodge met at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. Peter has always been an active Freemason especially in Peace and Unity Lodge and in recognition of this dedication, Carl Spindler presented Peter with a diamond cut decanter on behalf of the lodge. A wonderful evening for a wonderful man, Freemason and diamond geezer.