One of the great joys of Freemasonry is marking milestones.  Be it the lodge’s birthday on Installation night and seeing a new Master start a year full of excitement and potential.  It could also be marking a significant landmark such as a 500^th meeting or even a Centenary.  We are also blessed with an ever-increasing number of brethren who reach 50, 60 or even 70 years membership of our Order.  The temple at Yenton was full and the brethren were anticipating one such special evening.  The lucky assemblage was in for a treat as they had come from near and far to support a dedicated and diligent servant of Warwickshire – John Hayward – as it was exactly 50 years since his initiation into the Lodge of Faith and Hope No 4772.

The Provincial Grand Master, Philip Hall was delighted to be there to present John with his certificate, adding that 50 years dedication to anything is remarkable, especially as he had recently celebrated his 59^th birthday!  He also noted that John would have presented quite a few certificates himself and, the tables being well and truly turned, he now knew how they had felt.  He began with, as all good stories do, where it all started – Solihull in 1947.  John’s father was wages superintendent at BSA and his mother initially worked at a heating firm and later also at BSA.  John grew up in Shirley with an younger sister, Rosemary, in the family home in which his parents lived for around 60 years.

His education began in Russell Green School in Shirley, a private school run by three spinsters – the Miss Greens.  He moved to Shirley Heath School but didn’t like it much and returned to the care of the Miss Greens.  He generally enjoyed his schooling, with English his favourite, played sport but never ‘shone’.  He attended Solihull College but left after the first year as he wanted to earn some money.  This saw him enter the world of banking in a local branch that was eventually subsumed into the giant that became NatWest.  It was here where he met his wife-to-be, Linda, and their first date was a cricket match in which John was playing!  The result of the game has been lost in the annuls of time but it is safe to say that he did manage to bowl his maiden over as, after three years of courting, they were married and they went on to have two delightful daughters.  Ever mindful of keeping life simple, it was on the 1^st August when he met Linda, the 1^st August when he proposed to her and yes, you’ve guessed it, the 1^st August when they were married – an early sign of John’s organisational skills perhaps?

Bro John’s work moved into programming, initially at BSA and then British Gas, at a time when computers were in their infancy.  His passion for computing grew and he moved to a new job managing a team of 240 looking after gas accounts.  Eventually he became the regional quality manager, another cutting-edge position.  Centralisation sadly came knocking and John took voluntary redundancy in 1994.  This happened to coincide with Linda being made redundant but, ever looking to grasp the positives, as they’d always harboured a desire to run their own business, they headed north and bought a guest house near Windermere in the Lake District.  Thankfully Linda assumed the role of chef with John front of house.  Any comparison with Fawlty Towers would be most unfair!  They ran it for 10 years and generally thoroughly enjoyed it but, wanting to get their own lives back, sold up and returned to the Midlands.

The conversation naturally turned to Freemasonry.  We all know when it started but the Provincial Grand Master asked why.  John’s father had joined Faith and Hope in 1963 and was Master in 1976.  Recognise that year?  Having finally starting asking some questions about joining, it was indeed Hayward Snr who initiated Hayward Jnr.  Indeed, it was his father who was invited by the then Master to install John into the Chair of Faith and Hope – undoubtedly an unforgettable moment.  Such was John’s commitment that, despite living far away up the dreaded M6, he rarely missed a lodge meeting, either staying overnight with his parents or driving straight back (and getting back in time for breakfast?!?).  This dedication was clearly noted with John’s appointment as Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary before six enjoyable years as Provincial Grand Charity Steward.  Even higher office beckoned and Bro John became a highly respected member of the Provincial Executive as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

As always, Philip Hall then asked John what advice he would give to an initiate.  “Enjoy it” was his immediate response, adding that this is a hobby and one should take it steady remembering that it may take some understanding.  Philip Hall was delighted to formally present John with his certificate and, of course, his lapel badge adding that his has been an amazing contribution to Freemasonry in general and Warwickshire in particular.  The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro Will Farrell, delivered a fulsome and superb proclamation after which John rose to thank the Provincial Grand Master for the manner in which he had presented his certificate.  He also thanked all, especially Will, who made the effort to come and support him adding that he’d thoroughly enjoyed his 50 years of Freemasonry thus far.