Eminent Knight John Peter Weightman
2 June 1944 – 5 April 2022
Brother Knights, it is with very deep regret that I have to inform you that one of our most beloved members, Peter Weightman, was called to Higher Service by the Great Captain of our Salvation just three days ago, on Tuesday 5th April. As we all know, he had been seriously ill with cancer and, despite undergoing many months of treatment, which he bore with great fortitude, he ultimately succumbed to his illness and passed away peacefully in hospital, where he had been for the past several days.
Peter was initiated into Freemasonry in Purcell Lodge No. 4236 on 15th April 1983, taking the Chair of King Solomon twice, in 1988 and again in 1996. He subsequently held the office of Treasurer of the Lodge for twelve years, from 2010 until his death.
For his service to Freemasonry, he was first appointed to Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1996, before being promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 2011; then to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2016. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master had directed that Peter should be promoted to the highest attainable rank, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in March this year.
Sadly, our plans to visit him at home in order to invest him were thwarted by his illness, causing his readmission to hospital just days before his passing. Peter knew that he had been accorded this signal honour and we hope he was able to take some comfort in knowing that he was held in such great affection and high esteem by his Brethren in Freemasonry.
Peter had been exalted into John Page Royal Arch Chapter No 3619 on 17th March 1988, and later became a Founder member of Per Diem Royal Arch Chapter No 9638 in February 2004. He acted as First Principal of John Page Chapter twice, in 1994 and in 1998 and, emulating his service to the Craft he subsequently acted as Treasurer of the Chapter for twelve years, from 2010.
In the Provincial Grand Chapter of Northumberland, he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 1999, before promotion to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2011.
In our own Templar Order, he was installed a Knight of the Temple and Holy Sepulchre in this, the Chibburn Preceptory No 232, on 9th December 2005, and became a Knight of Malta in Chibburn Priory in October the following year.
He acted as our Eminent Preceptor on three occasions, in 2010, 2013 and in 2017 and following his latest Preceptorship he became our Treasurer for four years.
His service to our United Orders was recognised in 2011 by appointment to the rank of Acting Provincial Banner Bearer. The following year, he took the office of Treasurer of the Provincial Priory of Northumberland, relinquishing it only a few months ago as a consequence of his illness.
In 2014 he was given a “field promotion”, to the rank of Past Provincial First Constable. Subsequently, in 2017, he was accorded the signal honour of appointment in Great Priory to the rank of Past Great Warden of Regalia.
His interest in other Knightly Orders was continued in the Order of the Knights Beneficent of the Holy City, when he joined the King Edwin Lodge of Scottish Masters of Saint Andrew, where he also acted as Treasurer for four years, and took the Degree of Squire Novice in the Brigantes Prefecture of the Order, though his illness prevented him from attaining the Sixth Grade as a Reverend Knight Beneficent of the Holy City.
Brother Knights, we have lost not only a faithful servant to this Preceptory, but also a senior officer of the Provincial Priory of Northumberland and of Great Priory. He was held in great affection and esteem by all the Knights who knew him and his loss will be keenly felt by us all.
I would ask you to stand for a moment of quiet reflection in respect to departed merit.
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