W. Bro Richard Curtis hits his half-century in Freemasonry

During the Lodge Meeting of Wednesday 16 October, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Very Worshipful Ben Batley had the pleasure of presenting W. Bro Richard with his Fifty Years Certificate.

Richard was born during the Second World War and was one of ten children having three brothers and six sisters. His masonic career started in October 1974 when he and his brother Jack were initiated together into St Nicholas Lodge in the Province of Bristol. His brother Lionel, who is a Past Master of Connaught, was initiated into the same Lodge a month later. Richard’s other brother was also a member of St Nicholas along with their brother in-law Jim Crammond. A family friend had suggested that the brothers might enjoy Freemasonry, and the rest is history.

Richard became Worshipful Master of St Nicolas Lodge in 1999. Subsequently all four brothers joined Connaught Lodge along with brother in law Jim. Sadly, Richard’s brothers Lionel and Jack have passed away, but Reg who was Worshipful Master of St Nicolas in 1985, is still a member of Connaught.

Their father had an engineering and fabrication business known as Curtson’s (Curtis & Sons) in Radstock, and all four sons and Jim joined the business and ran it together after their father died. They had a large contract to supply BP that would float out the oil rigs on their side and Curtson’s manufactured the hinge mechanism that tipped the oil rigs upright into position.

W. Bro Richard lives in Hallatrow with his wife Heather to whom he has been married for over sixty years and who has supported him throughout his Masonic life. They have two daughters, one son, eight blood grandchildren, three adopted grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. Having been born into a large to family, W. Bro Richard is clearly upholding the Curtis family tradition.