Extract from the PGM's Address

I am delighted to be in Aeron Lodge this evening to present a 60-year certificate and badge to one of the living legends of West Wales Freemasonry, W Bro the Rev’d John Keith Davies.

W Bro Keith, you were Initiated on 23rd January 1964, passed on 28th January 1965, and Raised on 24th February 1966.

Sadly, the records are a little patchy in the 60’s and 70’s, but I can be certain that you served Aeron Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1978 and for multiple years as Chaplain. Your dedicated service to the Lodge was rewarded last year when the lodge elected you to honorary membership.

You joined Kensington Lodge of Installed Masters in 1979 and you served that lodge as Junior Warden in 2015.

You were also a Founder Member of Cyfrinfa y Tair Sir our new Welsh Language Lodge in 2022.

In the Craft Province of West Wales, you were appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Chaplain in 1983. You served the province for many years as Provincial Grand Chaplain and in 2003 you were appointed to the very high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

In the United Grand Lodge of England, you were appointed to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Chaplain in 2005 and promoted to the rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon in 2019.

You were Exalted into the Ystwyth Chapter on 9th January 1969 and served the Chapter as Most Excellent Zerubbabel in 1981. You joined Merlin Chapter in 1995 as it is much closer to where you live.

In 1999 you became a Founder Member of the Aeron and Peterwell Chapter, and you served that Chapter as Most Excellent Zerubbabel in 2001.

In the Royal Arch Province of West Wales, you were appointed to the rank of Past Principal Sojourner in 1983. You served the province as Third Provincial Grand Principal in 2003 and were promoted to Deputy Grand Superintendent in 2008. A position you held for seven years until 2015.

In the Supreme Grand Chapter, you were appointed to the very high rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer in 2009. In the real world, you were born on 22nd June 1933 in Aberaeron, but you lived in Swansea until you were 11 years old. Your Great Grandfather established a newsagent and booksellers in Aberaeron in 1858 and at the age of 16 you left school; to help your widowed mother in the family business.

You had to leave the business to do your National Service in the RAF, which you ended as a Corporal.

You married Enfys in 1956 and you moved to Neath where you secured a position as a Branch Manager for a radio and television company.

You returned to Aberaeron in 1960 to take over the family business which you expanded and ran very successfully until 1978.

You then went to Llandaff College to study Theology. You were Ordained in St David’s Cathedral in 1982. You finished your successful and rewarding Ministry as the Vicar of Abergwili and Rural Dean of Carmarthenshire.

You have three children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Not much wonder you have been a keen caravanner for 35 years and a stalwart of the Masonic Caravan Club since it was founded!

W Bro Keith, you have an impressive masonic and personal CV, and you are to be commended for a continuous 60 years and 2 days of loyal and dedicated service to the Craft.

I am delighted to present you with your certificate and badge to mark this wonderful milestone in your masonic career and I wish you good health and the strength to continue to enjoy your freemasonry for many years to come.

Many congratulations.