Brethren, I place below, the address given by APGM, Richard Gutteridge in presenting the certificate to W. Bro. Redfern

"Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Montgomery Redfern

Brethren, I really do believe that my appointment as Assistant Provincial Grand Master reflects great honour on the Bentinck Lodge and it is a particular privilege for me to be able to use my office to make this presentation of a sixty year certificate to one of our most treasured members W Bro Geoffrey Montgomery Redfern.

Bro Geoffrey was born on the 29th June 1920 which for the poor mathematicians among us makes him eighty nine years young. His family lived originally on Melton Road but later moved to Patrick Road. In either case his early life was spent in close proximity to this Masonic Hall.

His early education was at Cambridge House School, but he later went to the West Bridgford County Secondary School, now of course the West Bridgford School.

His working life was spent mainly in banking, joining the Westminster Bank as an eighteen year old until 1973 when he moved to a stock broking firm, until his retirement in 1988.

During the Second World War Geoffrey signed up for the RAF where he trained as a pilot and thus was begun a great love of flying. His initial training was at Brough on Tiger Moths, however he completed his training in Canada flying Fleet Finches and Harvards. His operational flying was in Mosquitos and later when seconded to the Fleet Air Arm, he flew Fairy Barracudas.

He married Sheila on 8th Sep1956 and she was with him and supporting him in all his various activities, until her death in February 1991.

Geoff was keen to share his enthusiasm for all things flying and became an Air Cadet Officer in 1971, firstly with a Leicester Squadron 1947 Birstal. He subsequently set up his own unit firstly as 1947DF (Detached Flight), and then as a squadron in its own right as 2070 Glenfield, which was close to his home. He continued as CO until his retirement in 1977 and then he remained as a Civilian Instructor.

In case this was not enough, he was a Parish Councillor from 1968 until 1986 and served on Blaby District Council from 1973 until 1999.

Geoff also served terms as a governor at two local primary schools latterly the Hall School where he was a governor from 1991 until 2003.

He is a member of Probus where he is a Past Treasurer and Past President.

He was actively involved with the Police in a Crime prevention Panel and has been a trustee for the Glenfield Millennium Green.

So brethren we see a man playing a full and active role in the community, but what of his involvement with Masonry. Geoffrey was initiated into the Bentinck Lodge on 15th November 1949: Brethren about six weeks before I was born. These years just after the war were very much a boom time for Freemasonry in Nottinghamshire and the Bentinck Lodge at that time was enjoying this popularity, with no shortage of candidates. Consequently, it took Geoff fourteen years to progress through the various offices and eventually became our Worshipful Master on the 15th October 1963.

I was hoping to have had some input as to his skills as a WM, but unfortunately he was IPM by the time our next most senior Past Master was initiated – W Bro John Smee, at the Christmas Lodge in 1964. I do know that Geoff and Sheila were keen supporters of the Ladies Evenings from the tales of the many happy times he has related recently.

Geoff was first recognised by Provincial Grand Lodge in 1971 when he was appointed as an Acting Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. This was during the time that W Bro C H V Elliott was our Provincial Grand Master and I can imagine that being an acting ADC of the Province in those days would have been challenging.

W Bro Geoff was last promoted in 2002 to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Registrar.

Not only has Geoff this evening completed sixty years in Freemasonry, he has also completed those sixty years in the Bentinck Lodge, which we all hold so dear. A wonderful achievement and one of which he should feel rightly proud.

On behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge, the members of the Bentinck Lodge and the other brethren present this evening, I congratulate you on sixty years in Freemasonry and the Bentinck Lodge and have much pleasure in presenting you with this certificate".

W Bro Richard Gutteridge Assistant Provincial Grand Master 17th November 2009