Born 23rd December 1940; initiated into Freemasonry May 1962;
Installed as Provincial Grand Master 4th September 2008
Eric was born and bred in Consett, a Steelmaking Town in North West Durham. One of the first significant moves in his life was at the age of seven when he joined the Choir of St. Cuthbert’s Church, Benfieldside. Here he learned much about music and choral singing, which has played a major part in Eric’s life for many years.
Educated at Consett Grammar School, on leaving he did, like most young men in the town, took employment at Consett Iron Works. Initially working in the Chemical Laboratory, he moved onto the Production line in the Rolling Mills. Having been appointed as Shift Foreman in his early twenties and later a Shift Manager, he changed course in 1967 to broaden his experience and qualifications, by joining the Work Study Department. After studying to become a Work’s Engineer he was appointed in 1970 as Assistant Manager in the Rolling Mills and in 1973 he became Plant Manager of the Primary Mills at Consett. He remained in that position until the closure of BSC Consett in 1980 when he was transferred to a similar position at the Lackenby Rolling Mills on Teesside. Thereafter he held various Management positions in and around the Teesside Steel Industry until retirement in 1997.
Whilst living in Consett, up until 1980, he was a staunch member of the Consett Citizens Choir, various church Choirs and for over 15 years a member of Consett Lions Club, being President in 1973.
Brother Eric Heaviside’s Masonic Career began in May 1962 when he became the first initiate of Benfeldsyde Lodge, No 7807, one month after its Consecration. Proposed by his father, the late W Bro Norman Heaviside PPrJGW, a founder of this new Lodge, he progressed through the various Lodge offices becoming Worshipful Master in 1973. From thereon he became a very active Freemason.
Provincial rank followed in 1983 when he was appointed Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden and in 1988 he became a Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, a role he performed for 4 years until he was promoted to Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1993. One significant event which Eric organised as ProvGDofC was to arrange a Special Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham at the home of the then Provincial Grand Master, Rt W Bro The Rt Hon Lord Barnard. This event was to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Lord Barnard’s Rule as Provincial Grand Master.
In 1997 Lord Barnard invited W Bro Eric to take over as Chairman of the 1999 RMBI Festival, which at that time was unlikely to achieve its Target. It was then that he was also appointed as an Assistant PGM and for the next 2 years he motivated and encouraged the Charity Stewards and Brethren of the Province to achieve the outstanding Festival figure of £2.95m, £200k over the target of £2.75m.
Following the completion of the 1999 Festival, and the appointment of Rt W Bro Dr Alan Martin Davison as PGM, Eric was asked to be Chairman of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Millennium Project - to build a Replica Masonic Hall at Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum. Durham Freemasons agreed to provide £500k towards the total project cost of £1.2m. Within 4 years the £500k had been raised by the Members of the Province, a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony was duly performed in Full Regalia and in April 2006 the Millennium Project was concluded when a public procession of 1000 Masons led by The MW Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, officially opened the new Masonic Hall, which is open to the public 300 days per year.
W Bro Eric continued his role as an Assistant PGM and in May 2006 he was appointed as Deputy PGM by the new PGM Rt W Bro Derek Richmond, a role he continued to perform until the sad loss of Derek Richmond in February 2008. At that point V W Bro Heaviside became Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge. He was appointed to be the Provincial Grand Master on 6th June 2008 and was installed into that position at Hartlepool on 4th September 2008 by the Pro Grand Master, M W Bro the Marquis of Northampton.
Our PGM is a Member of Durham Lodge of Installed Masters, No 4441, where he was WM in 2007, and is a Founder Member of Nevill Lodge of Installed Masters, No 9441 in which he was WM in 2001. Eric is also an Honorary Member of 16 Lodges within the Province mainly in appreciation of duties performed at consecration ceremonies.
In the United Grand Lodge W Bro Eric was appointed as PAGDC in 1991, promoted to PSGD in 1998 and appointed as Grand Sword Bearer in 2007.
In the Royal Arch, Eric was exalted into St Aidan Chapter No 4080 in 1976, in which he became First Principal in 1991 and in 1996 he was appointed as Provincial Second Grand Principal. In Supreme Grand Chapter he was appointed as PGStdBr in 2001. Ex Comp Heaviside is a Founder Member of Indaba Chapter No 9454 and also of Nevill Chapter of Installed First Principals, where he was First Principal in 1998. He was appointed to be Grand Superintendent in and over the Province of Durham on 6th June 2008 and was installed into that position at Hartlepool on 4th September 2008 by the Pro First Grand Principal, ME Companion the Marquess of Northampton.
He was perfected into Wycliffe Rose Croix Chapter, No 325 in 1999 and was advanced in Mark Masonry in Chief of the Builders Lodge, No 1806 in 2000 becoming WM in 2005 and has recently been appointed PPrSGW in the Durham Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Eric is married to Sue, his wife of 40 years, they have no children. Sue has been extremely supportive of Eric’s Masonic activities, despite the many nights she has to spend enjoying her own company. As a reward for 40 years of happy marriage they are, shortly after his Installation, taking a 2 week Cruise to Alaska, without Eric’s Masonic Regalia.
