Eminent Knight Colin Nattrass, P.Prov.Gt.1st Const.
19 March 1931 – 22 December 2016
In December 2016 the Provincial Priory of Northumberland lost one of its most respected Knights when E Kt Colin Nattrass was called to higher service just before Christmas.
Born in Acomb, Colin was just three years old when he moved to Fourstones, where his father worked as a quarryman. He attended school in Haydon Bridge, before leaving at the age of 15 to work at the Co-op store in Fourstones.
Colin was a member of Newbrough Youth Club when, at the age of 17, he met his future wife, Beryl, who was among a visiting party from Stocksfield Youth Club.
Two years with the RAF were to follow, and despite his National Service posting to Lincolnshire, Colin returned home most weekends to see Beryl. The pair were married in 1954 and in 62 years of marriage went on to have two sons, Barry and Ray, and four grandchildren.
After a second spell with Fourstones Co-op, Colin became an insurance agent with Prudential in 1964, serving Newbrough, Haydon Bridge, Hexham and the surrounding areas.
It was a job to which he was admirably suited – he liked to meet people and was renowned for offering sound advice – he was known as Tynedale’s ‘Man from the Pru’ for almost three decades.
Away from work, Colin enjoyed gardening and football, and was a keen Newcastle United supporter. Another great passion was walking, and he once climbed Ben Nevis. He and his wife enjoyed travelling abroad together and had visited Eastern Europe, America and Canada.
Colin was initiated into Freemasonry in Albert Edward Lodge No 1557 in May 1958 and he remained a subscribing member of his Lodge until his death in 2016 – an amazing 58 years of service to masonry.
He was Master of the Lodge in 1971 and as appointed Past Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar ten years later. In 1988 he was subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden – a rank very few ever attain.
In the Royal Arch, he was exalted in the Albert Edward Chapter No 1557 in 1965, becoming its First Principal in 1979.
He also became a joining member of the Northumbrian First Principals Chapter No 3477, remaining a member of both until his death. As a consequence of his devotion to the Order he was promoted up to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in Provincial Grand Chapter before Supreme Grand Chapter paid him the ultimate accolade of Grand Rank as Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1996.
In our Templar Order he was installed a Knight in the St Wilfred of Hexham Preceptory No 461 in 1990, attaining the Preceptor’s Chair in 1999. Appointment as Provincial Great Aide-de-Camp followed in 2000 and ultimately he was promoted to Past Provincial Great First Constable in 2009.
In the Ancient and Accepted Rite, Colin was a member of the St Wilfred Chapter Rose Croix No 646 and a holder of the 31st Degree.
Also a member of the Mark as a member of Hexham Mark Lodge No 1161 and the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine in Bishop Acca Conclave No 333. More than 400 people attended his funeral service at Hexham Abbey and he was highly thought of throughout the Province. Masonry is very much the poorer for his passing.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior