Eminent Knight James Potts, PProv 2ndConst
11th October 1935 – 13th May 2024
Jim was initiated into Freemasonry in Morpeth Lodge No 4176 on 4th November 1980. After the Lodge was erased from the Roll, he joined Lodge De Ogle No 636 in 2017, remaining a subscribing member until his death.
He was installed as the Master of Morpeth Lodge in 1992; later serving as Charity Steward for a decade from 2000, and then as Assistant Director of Ceremonies.
After joining Lodge De Ogle, he acted as their Tyler, as well as Tyler for two other Lodges in the Morpeth building, until his death.
In the Royal Arch, he was exalted into Newminster Chapter No 5328 in December 1983, but moved to join De Percy Royal Arch Chapter No 636 in 2015. He served as First Principal of Newminster in 1995, thereafter acting as Janitor from 2011 until his death, as well as Janitor of other Morpeth Chapters. In recognition of his service to the Craft and Chapter, he was appointed in 2000 to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Registrar before promotion in 2008 to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland; and appointment as Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 2000, followed by promotion to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2008 in the Provincial Grand Chapter of Northumberland.
In our own Templar Order, he was installed a Knight in Brinkburn Preceptory No 284 in April 1997, serving as Preceptor in 2009.
In consequence of his service, he was appointed in 2010 to the Acting rank of Provincial Aide-de-Camp, before promotion in 2014 to Acting Provincial Herald and finally, in 2018, promotion to Past Provincial Second Constable.
He joined the Preceptory of Tutelage No 633 in 2018, intent on serving as the Preceptory Guard but, sadly, age and infirmity prevented him from taking up the role.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior