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On Friday 31 July 2009 WBro Bernard Winkworth, holder of the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit, passed away to the Grand Lodge Above. A devoted family man and dedicated Freemason, he died at the age of 92 years and 105 days (being a stickler for detail he would have approved of the mention of 105 days). He was born in St James, Northampton, during the Great War and, as a Royal Engineer, fought in the Second World War. He leaves a devoted wife, Peggy, whom he married in 1971. |
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WBro Bernard Winkworth
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After his family, Bro Bernard’s great loves in life were gardening, golf, snooker and calligraphy. The garden of his house in Harpole was always immaculately laid out with beautifully tended flowers and vegetables - weedless - with not a blade of grass out of place.
In 1973 he joined the Lodge of St George, became Master in 1986 and served it as Secretary from 1988 to 2000. He was a brilliant ritualist and always willing to share his in-depth knowledge of Freemasonry in general - as a result many, many Freemason’s young and old have benefited from his wise counsel.
His calligraphy skills were always in demand. Evidence of them can be seen in this Parish Church in Harpole in the form of the Book of Remembrance and the list of succeeding Clergy. But it was in Freemasonry where his calligraphy skills were most in demand for such items as table plans for Provincial Grand Lodges and Ladies’ Festivals galore - each name lovingly crafted in ‘Old English’ with his trusty italic nib.
He will also be famously remembered for his hand drawn and illustrated calendars which he sold for charity. (The 2009 version cost only £3!)
In 1997 his Masonic career was ‘crowned’ by the award of the highest honour the Province has in its power to bestow - the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master’s Certificate of Merit.
Bro Bernard was a member of many other Orders in Freemasonry invariably achieving high Office in each.
As well as being a great loss to his family, his passing is an immeasurable loss to Freemasonry.