Eminent Knight Alan Pitkeathley
30 June 1936 – 9 March 2022
It is with regret that the Provincial Priory of Northumberland reports the death of one of its longest serving members.
Brother Alan Pitkeathley was initiated into Beaconsfield Lodge No 6784 on 23rd March 1959 and was its Master in 1972. Subsequently appointed in Provincial Grand Lodge to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 1983, he was promoted in 2002 to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. In 2011, he was elected to Honorary membership of the Lodge, remaining a member until his death eleven years later.
He was exalted in the Royal Arch in Blagdon Chapter No 659 on 9th October 1968 and was, for a time, also a member of Hastings Royal Arch Chapter.
One of his great services to the Province came from his musical talents as an Organist, and he was the Grand Organist in Provincial Grand Chapter between 1981 and 1994.
For this service he was first appointed to Past Provincial Grand Registrar n 1983 before promotion in 1990 to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. He also acted as Organist both for his Lodge and Chapter, but in 2005 he was elected to Honorary membership of the Chapter.
He became a member of our Templar Order when he was installed a Knight in Chibburn Preceptory No 232 on 8th August 1980, giving him over forty years of service to our Order by the time of his death.
He took the Chair of Eminent Preceptor in 1991. In recognition of his services, the Provincial Priory promoted him to the rank of Past Provincial Second Constable. In 2006, he was elected to Honorary membership of his Preceptory.
In other Orders under Mark Mason’s Hall, he was advanced to Mark Master Mason in Blagdon Mark Lodge No 547 in November 1961, before acting as Worshipful Master in 2001. Four years later he was elected to Honorary membership.
He was elevated into the Royal Ark Mariner Degree in Blagdon Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No 547 in 1962, acting as Commander in 1985, and being appointed to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 2003.
In the Ancient and Accepted Rite, he held the 30th Degree as a Past Most Wise Sovereign of the St Oswald Chapter Rose Croix No 300 in 1983.
The Provincial Priory offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Eminent Knight Alan, as well as to all the Knights of the Province who knew him.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior
CRAFT
initiated into Beaconsfield Lodge No 6784 on 23rd March 1959
WM in 1972; Organist 2010 – 2011
PProvGReg 1983; PProvJGW 2002;
28/11/2011 elected to Honorary
CHAPTER
Exalted Blagdon Chapter 659 on 09/10/1968
12/10/2005 elected to Honorary
Joined Hastings Chapter 05/03/1974 – Reg 71 31/12/2008
“Guest Organist” Blagdon RAC 2010 – 2019
Prov Grand Organist 1981 – 94; PProvGReg 1983; PProvGSN 1990
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Installed Chibburn Preceptory No 232 on 08/08/1980 (42 years service)
1st Const 1990; E.P. 1991
03/03/2006 became Honorary member
MARK
Blagdon Mark Lodge No 547 – advanced in 01/11/1961
05/10/2005 became Honorary member
WM in 2001
RAM
Blagdon 547 in 22/11/1962.
Commander in 1985
R.A.M.G.R. in 2003
RED CROSS
ALLIED