On Thursday 9th December 2021 Windermere Lodge No.2217 and W Bro Reginald Nicholson MBE celebrated the 50th anniversary of his initiation. Worshipful Brother Keith R Beaumont, PSGD Assistant Provincial Grand Master was in attendance and gave a detailed history of Reg’s personal and masonic achievements. During the meeting, W Bro Beaumont called the Lodge off and then invited the Ladies (13) and (2 Gentlemen) into the Lodge to witness the Presentation.
Reg was born on Friday 7th December 1928 in Windermere and attended the Local School at Bowness from 1940 to 1945 and then attended Windermere Grammar School achieving various School Certificates.
On leaving School, Reg went to work for T H Winder ‘Jewellers’ as a Horologist or a Watchmaker on Grandfather Clocks and worked there until the jewellers closed. He then took up employment as a Telephone Engineer retiring at the age of 62, not happy with retiring, he then took up employment with Windermere Lake Cruises for a further 10 years in the information and Ticket Office. Reg married Ada Mavis on the 4th June 1953, they were together for over 61 years until Ada sadly passed away 7 years ago, they have one son Michael Christopher.
Reg had a great affiliation with the RAF as Squadron Leader Volunteer/Reserve Training Branch and was also associated with the local branch of the Royal British Legion for over 70 years and is currently the President of the Windermere Branch, and as President, represents the British Legion at local events.
Reg received the very high honour of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services in the Military Division and training for youth on 11 June 1983 and was presented with his MBE by her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace on the 11th June 1983 with his wife Ada and Son Michael.
Reg became Worshipful Master of Windermere Lodge on the 12th November 1992 and held the offices of Lodge Almoner from 1995 to 2002 and was appointed Mentor in 2019. Reg achieved the very high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden on the 19th of October 2017. Reg was exalted into Windermere Chapter No 2217 on the 20th of September 1988 and received the following Provincial Ranks in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland. He received his First Appointment as Provincial 2nd Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2002, then was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2008 and then Past Provincial Grand Scribe N in 2012.
Reg has held the office of Chapter Almoner from January 2007 to January 2014. After 50 years, Reg continues to be very proactive in both his Lodge and Chapter.
Congratulations Reg from all the brethren of Cumberland and Westmorland, we wish you many happy years in freemasonry.
