Freemason commended for half century of service

A MAN from Henley has been commended for achieving 50 years of service with the Freemasons.

John Grout, 90, of Upton Close, was presented with a certificate by the Very Worshipful Brother Graham Ellis, deputy provincial grand master in Craft, during a meeting of Thames Mark Lodge in Henley.

The Oxfordshire provincial grand masters of craft and mark said they were delighted the presentation could be made at the meeting of Thames Lodge of mark master masons.

Mr Ellis spoke of Mr Grout’s “quiet but purposeful” efforts in charity fundraising, including work on behalf of the Oxfordshire Craft Festival and the Mark Benevolent Fund Annual Festival, which will take place in Oxfordshire in 2025. Mr Grout, a former professional cricketer, said: “Several people do achieve 50 years but there hasn’t been one locally for ages.”

He joined the Freemasons at the age of 43 as a way of contributing to charitable causes.

Mr Grout said: “Two of my older brothers were masons. It was a good thing to join. It’s the largest charity organisation in the world. We help people and donate most of our money to the public.”

Mr Grout has also been a member of Henley Rotary Club for 23 years.

He said: “It is a similar sort of thing — we have a lunch together and chat and do good things.

“We just donated to the Rivertime Boat Trust. We donate most of our money to local charities like Headway and Wyfold Riding for the Disabled.”