Happy 100th birthday, Walter! Pilgrim Fathers Lodge makes it a special day for centenarian

Walter Beard celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday 24th June when Pilgrim Fathers Master Elect Keith Munn and his wife, along with other Pilgrim Fathers members, took the party to Walter’s home.

As well as family and friends, a large number of Masons from both Boston and elsewhere in the Province were in attendance, including the PGM (seen with Walter in the picture above). The lovely weather, fantastic buffet prepared by WBro Munn and his wife, and the warm heartfelt wishes of all those present made for a fantastic and memorable afternoon to mark such an amazing landmark.

• Meanwhile, at their last meeting before the summer break members of Pilgrim Fathers Lodge Boston welcomed Walter to the meeting, writes Lodge Secretary Rick West.

Pilgrim Fathers members wanted to mark his birthday at their closest meeting to it. His health has prevented him from attending recent meetings, but it was an absolute honour and a pleasure that he could attend on this special occasion.

WBro Beard has been a member of Pilgrim Fathers Lodge for 44 years, having been initiated in April 1979. He was installed as Master in 1988. As a Past Master he has held the offices of Almoner, Treasurer, Mentor and Secretary.

I speak for many of the brethren of Pilgrim Fathers in saying what fantastic support and encouragement I received from Walter during my early years in Freemasonry, he has always had so much time for newer members and nothing is ever to much trouble, he really has inspired a generation in our lodge. Always a fantastic ritualist himself, he was certainly very instrumental in encouraging me, and many others to take part in ritual for the first time.

Such has been Walter’s contribution to both Pilgrim Fathers Lodge and to Freemasonry in general that he was awarded the PGM`s Certificate of Merit in 2008, as only the fourth recipient of the award, and in 2017 he was made an Honorary member of Pilgrim Fathers.

At the meeting Pilgrim Fathers DC read out a letter from the PGM to Walter, in which he described him as a “role model”. Walter responded by mentioning the wonderful times he had enjoyed during his time in Pilgrim Fathers before enjoying stuffed chine and a pint of beer at the Festive Board.

It was brilliant to see Walter again, and a real highlight on which to head into the summer break.

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