St Aidan Lodge No. 4080, Blackhill, celebrated a remarkable 60 years of Freemasonry when John Watts, Head of Durham Freemasons, presented WBro Stan Fitches MBE with his 60 Year Certificate.
For John, the evening was particularly special, marking his return to his Mother Lodge. Two other Past Provincial Grand Masters of Durham, Eric Heaviside and John Thompson, also joined him.
Stan, who lives in Consett, was born on 9 March 1941 and was initiated into St Aidan Lodge on 14 June 1966. He joined the Royal Arch on 12 December 1968, became Master of St Aidan Lodge in May 1977, and later served as Master of Lambton Lodge in November 1986.
His first Provincial honour came in May 1986 when he was appointed Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon, and in September 2022 he was promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
Stan’s Royal Arch service has also been recognised at the highest level. He was appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2011 and promoted to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2024.
During the presentation, John reflected on many of the stories shared when Stan received his first 50 Year Certificate. However, he reminded those present that the ten years since had added another important chapter to Stan’s remarkable record of service.
Rather than stepping back, Stan has continued to make a significant contribution to St Aidan Lodge, Durham Freemasons Charity and Freemasonry across the Province.
That commitment to service has been a constant throughout Stan’s life.
Stan worked in finance at Shotley Bridge Hospital, where he worked alongside John Watts’ mother. His volunteering as a first aider eventually grew into a career with the British Red Cross, where he rose to national director. His contribution and service were recognised with an MBE.
Even retirement did not end that commitment.
While on holiday in Thailand with his lifetime partner Kenneth Kent, Stan was caught up in the devastating tsunami that struck Phuket. After escaping the flooding, Stan immediately put his experience to use and went on duty, helping coordinate the international Red Cross response.
His professional life meant that living and working in London, Bicester and Leeds prevented him from attending meetings in Durham as regularly as he might otherwise have done for many years.
However, over the last two decades, Stan and Kenneth have become significant contributors to Freemasonry's development across Durham.
Together they took on dining arrangements for Provincial meetings and helped the fledgling Durham Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge develop its experience in table planning and organisation. Their knowledge and attention to detail have also helped significantly improve the dining experience at both Lambton Lodge and St Aidan Lodge.
Stan has also been a keen member of the Durham Cathedral Steward team for many years and has continued to support the work of Durham Freemasons Charity.
Reflecting on reaching his latest milestone, Stan said:
“Freemasonry has given me a lifetime of friendship and the opportunity to serve alongside some wonderful people. Reaching 60 years is very special, but what matters most is still being able to contribute. I have always believed that if you can help, you should, and I hope I have been able to do that both inside Freemasonry and in the wider community.”
The evening was not only about looking back.
The Master of St Aidan Lodge, WBro Julian Ward, also had the honour of passing his son, Sebastian, to the degree of Fellow Craft.
Sebastian’s brother Dominic, who serves as Inner Guard of the Lodge, watched on, creating a memorable family moment alongside the celebration of Stan’s six decades of membership.
Julian said:
“To celebrate Stan’s remarkable 60 years of service and also have the privilege of passing my son Sebastian, with his brother Dominic there too, made it an evening our family will never forget.
“Stan represents everything we hope younger Freemasons will see in the Craft: friendship, commitment and a lifetime of service to others.”
For St Aidan Lodge, the evening brought together two important parts of Freemasonry. It celebrated a man whose contribution has continued for six decades while also marking another step in a younger member's Masonic journey.
Stan’s story is about far more than length of membership. It is a story of friendship, professional service, humanitarian response, charity and a continuing willingness to help others.
Congratulations to Stan on 60 remarkable years of Freemasonry, and to Sebastian on taking the next step in his own journey.
Dominic, Julian and Sebastian Ward
