On a remarkable Tuesday evening at Royal Portus Felix Lodge, No. 643 in Filey, the Brethren gathered not just for a regular meeting, but to witness a milestone that few achieve: the 60th Anniversary in Freemasonry of W.Bro Paul Greenwood.
The evening was conducted in a "This Is Your Life" style presentation, led by W.Bro David Burnett. With a blend of humour, nostalgia, and genuine warmth, W.Bro Burnett guided the room through Paul's eighty-nine years of life, a journey spanning from the machine shops of Wolverhampton to the air traffic control towers of the RAF, and eventually to the ornate lodge rooms of London.
From Apprenticeship to Air Traffic Control
Born in Halifax, Paul's early life took him to Wolverhampton, where he undertook a six-year indentured apprenticeship in machine tool building. It was a different era; Paul recalled earning just 35 shillings a week at the age of 21. "I lived off my parents," he joked, "like a lot of people have to do now!"
His professional journey was briefly interrupted in 1959 by two years of National Service in the RAF. Stationed at RAF Bridgnorth and later RAF Bicester, Paul served in air traffic control. While the RAF invited him to stay on permanently, the lure of the engineering world, and the desire to "get back and earn some money," brought him back to civilian life, where he eventually ran his own successful machine tool company for over 35 years, travelling to nearly 100 countries.
A Masonic Journey Across the Country
Paul's Masonic career began six decades ago at St. Peter's Lodge on Manningham Lane in Bradford. He shared fond memories of his early days as Wine Steward, where the "bar" consisted of trestle tables and beer he personally collected from a brewery in Halifax.
His journey later took him to Harrogate, where he went through the Chair in Spa Lodge during the 1980s. It was there that Paul experienced one of the most profound aspects of the Craft: its role as the "Great Leveller." Paul recounted the unique experience of initiating an Air Commodore, a Brigadier General equivalent, while he himself had been a junior rank during his service. "It was a wonderful exercise," Paul remarked. "To see someone of that ilk allow us to interview him... we were very pleased to be able to level an Air Commodore!"
His Masonic travels did not stop in Yorkshire; Paul also joined Tranquility Lodge in London, enjoying the vibrant social life and "ladies' weekends" at the Sandbanks Hotel in Bournemouth.
The Ultimate Revelation
Perhaps the most touching moment of the presentation came when Paul spoke about his personal life. After losing his first wife in 1987, Paul found companionship again with Carol, his partner of 34 years.
However, life had one more major surprise in store. At the age of 86, Paul discovered he had a daughter and grandson in Germany who had been searching for him for years. After a DNA test proved a match, the families met in York. His new-found grandson, it turns out, is a rocket scientist, a fact that Paul noted with a mixture of pride and bewilderment. "At 86, I became a dad," he told the lodge. "It is amazing, frightening, but I have no secrets."
A Legacy of Engineering and Integrity
Beyond the Lodge, Paul's professional standing was evidenced by his six-year tenure on the main board of the Engineering Industries Association, representing 2,500 companies with turnovers in the billions. Even in his later working years, he remained active, valuing plant and machinery for American auctioneers well into his "retirement."
Looking Forward to 70
The presentation concluded with W.Bro David Burnett presenting the 60-year certificate on behalf of the Province. In a moment of lighthearted optimism, W.Bro Burnett promised to return in ten years to present the 70th certificate.
"If that is a promise, I will keep you to it," Paul replied to a thunderous round of applause.
As the brethren moved downstairs to celebrate socially, the sentiment in the room was clear: Paul Greenwood's sixty years in the Craft have been defined by the very principles we hold dear, namely integrity, hard work, and an unwavering sense of brotherhood.
