50-Year Certificate Presentation for W Bro Keith Simmonds
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On Tuesday 14th April 2026, three representatives from the Green Room Lodge No 2957 travelled down to Lewes in Sussex, to the care home of W Bro Keith Simmonds, a Past Master of the Lodge, and one of its three longest serving members.
W Bro Graham Cottington SLGR, MetAGInsp (Secretary), W Bro James Baker SLGR, (Treasurer) and W Bro Peter Thrush, LGR, MetGD (Almoner), who had arranged the visit, travelled to see Keith.
Keith has been a fully paid-up member of Green Room Lodge since his initiation in April 1975, although in recent years he has been unable to attend due to health reasons.
En route, they called into his home in Mayfield, where they collected his wife, Cynthia, who also made the journey.
W Bro Keith was entirely unaware of the visit, only being told he had some important visitors arriving that day.
The team were very well received by the caring staff, who laid on tea and cakes.
The staff were also very excited to see the expression on Keith's face when he realised it was his old Masonic friends from the Lodge. The staff kindly led the visitors to a private dining room, where they changed into regalia; and Keith was invited to come to the room, assisted by a care nurse. His face was a true picture.
W Bro Graham introduced everyone and talked about the Lodge and its members. Keith was still very interested in the Lodge's current affairs. The Brethren chatted about old members who had passed to the Grand Lodge above and Keith's career as a Lighthouse keeper – also some of the lighthouses he had worked on, which included Beachy Head and the Needles on the Isle of Wight amongst others. Keith mentioned how solitary his job had been, but how good it was for learning ritual, often walking up and down the lighthouse reciting his words.
W Bro Graham then read the citation on the certificate from the Metropolitan Grand Master, RW Bro Warren Duke, and also a letter from the Metropolitan Grand Inspector W Bro Andrew Imber, PSGD.
On leaving the home Keith's visitors treated Cynthia to a lunch in a local pub, which she said she had not enjoyed for many years, due to caring for Keith. She then took the visitors for a tour of her home and the improvements Keith had done to the house in years gone by when he was able.
It certainly was a wonderful day for Keith and Cynthia and indeed the Lodge to be able share in this special celebration and very important milestone.
This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 61 – Summer 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in Arena Issue 61 here.
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