As part of the Unity Chapter 50th Anniversary Celebration, The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp James Ross made two Long Service presentations, the first being to E Comp Tony Lister.

Most Excellent, Your Excellencies, Companions,

This evening’s proceedings have a bit of a déjà vu feeling for me, having presented two long service awards at your last meeting. Recognising the long and distinguished service of companions is one of the real pleasures of being Grand Superintendent.

Behind every long service presentation is a lifetime of service to the Royal Arch, but it's important to remember that they also represent a huge amount of fun and enjoyment gained from being part of our wonderful order. We are all here this evening because we want to be. We may have different roles to play, but we are all companions enjoying each other’s company.

Excellent Companion Anthony Edward Lister, you were Initiated into the Trevor Kelway Lodge no 8466 on 4th January 1979. You served the Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1987. In 2004 you again served as Junior Warden and between 2016 and 2020, you served the lodge as Chaplain.

In the Craft Province, you were first appointed to Provincial rank in 1994. You were promoted to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2001 and you were further promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2010.

In the Royal Arch, you were Exalted into Unity Chapter no 6709 on 9th February 1982, and you served the Chapter as Most Excellent Zerubbabel in 1993.

In the Royal Arch Province, you served as Provincial Second Assistant Grand Sojourner in 1995. You were promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2008 and further promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2015.

E Comp Tony, you were born in Llanelli and have lived here ever since. You went to school at Llanelli Boys Grammar and when you left you served a five-year engineering apprenticeship at the Glanmor Foundry. You completed your apprenticeship in 1957 and you were immediately called up to do your National Service. You served in the army and spent part of your service dealing with the Cyprus Emergency, also known as the Cypriot War of Independence.

You returned to Llanelli and to engineering in 1959. In the 1970’s you decided it was time for a change and you bought The Duke of Wellington Inn, in Dillwyn Street, Llanelli.

You married your wife Barbara in 1962. You have three daughters, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

You have travelled widely, including trips to Australia, America and much of Europe. In addition to your passion for freemasonry, you also have a keen interest in local history.

E Comp Tony, you have been a dedicated and hardworking Royal Arch freemason for over 40 years. You have managed to combine your freemasonry with a successful career, a happy home life and many other interests. You are a fine example to us all.

I am delighted to present you with your certificate and badge to commemorate 40 wonderful years of service to Royal Arch freemasonry and I wish you the health and strength to continue to enjoy your freemasonry for many years to come.