John
Raymond Collison also resides in the south of the Province, at Hatton, not
too far from the Provincial Grand Master. However, unlike the Provincial
Grand Master, John’s early years in Masonry were at Hatton, where he was
initiated into Tutbury Priory Lodge No. 4873 in 1971, becoming Worshipful
Master in 1980. He is also a Past Master of the Derbyshire Lodge of
Installed Masters, acting as Worshipful Master in 2003.
His
career in Craft Masonry within the Province began with an appointment as
Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1987, followed by that of Assistant
Provincial Grand Master in 1997. In 1998 he received the Grand rank of
Past Junior Grand Deacon and was appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master
in 2005.
He
became a Founder Member of Bretby Lodge in 1983 and has been First
Principal in both Tutbury Priory Chapter (in 1987) and
Royal Sussex
Chapter (in 1990). He was appointed to the past rank of Provincial Grand
Scribe Nehemiah in 1993 and received Supreme Grand Chapter honours as Past
Grand Standard Bearer in 2004.
Among
his numerous other Masonic appointments he is District Grand Master of the
North Midlands District of the Order of Royal and Select Masters and
Provincial Prior in the Knights Templar Order.
John
is a Chartered Engineer and was employed at his retirement by Severn Trent
Water. After retiring from playing hockey he became an umpire but now
spends his leisure time in less energetic pastimes which include walking
and bird watching.
