On Monday, 9th December 2024, Hen Bont Lodge No. 4691 marked a remarkable milestone in its history, celebrating not one, but three Brethren achieving 50 years of Freemasonry. This extraordinary occasion drew Brethren from across the Province and beyond, eager to honour this rare and significant achievement.
The Lodge was privileged to welcome W.Bro Philip Bevan and a delegation of Provincial officers representing the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro D. Gerald Rowbottom. Their presence added to the grandeur of the evening as they joined members and special guests to celebrate this unique event.
The evening began with Hen Bont Lodge officers conducting an exemplary ceremony, passing the Lodge’s newest member, Bro Royston O’Reilly, to the Second Degree. A standout feature of the ceremony was that all progressing officers were Master Masons, reflecting the strength and promise of the Lodge’s future.
The celebrations reached their peak as W.Bro Roger Evans, Bro. Mick Meredith, and Bro. Leighton James were welcomed back into Lodge to receive their special 50-year certificates. All three have been unable to attend regularly in recent years due to ill health or caring responsibilities, making their return all the more meaningful.
W. Bro Philip Bevan presented each of the distinguished Brethren with a Certificate and a commemorative Lapel Pin, recognising their decades of dedication and service to Freemasonry. During the festive board, the Worshipful Master, W.Bro Gareth Davies, expressed the Lodge’s admiration and appreciation by presenting each Brother with a bottle of whiskey as a personal token of the Lodge’s respect and esteem.
The evening was a true reflection of the enduring bonds of Freemasonry, celebrating not just longevity, but the shared friendship that unite Brethren through the years. Hen Bont Lodge looks forward to building on its rich history as it continues to grow and thrive.
Pictured L to R: W.Bro. Phil Bevan, Bro Mick Meredith, W.broRoger Price Evans and Bro. Leighton James
Bro Mick Meredith was initiated into the Hen Bont Lodge on 11th May 1970 by Worshipful Brother Owen Morris. Gwilym Thomas Edward Meredith (known by all as Mick) was born on 6th January 1940. Mick is a well-known local man, who was born and grew up in Ynysybwl, where he still lives.
One of a large family, he went to Pontypridd Boys Grammar school and later studied at The School of Mines and The University of Glamorgan, Treforest. He became a Mechanical Engineer with The National Coal Board, until his retirement at a senior level. Mick is married to Beryl and they have three grown-up children.
Horses are a particular hobby of Mick and has owned a number of them over the years. He is still looking after the two he still has. He also likes dogs and cats, and it is fair to say that “any animal that is looked after by Mick, is always kept in beautiful condition and will have a nice friendly disposition.” He enjoys watching rugby, listening to choirs, and dining out with friends. It is therefore easy to understand his long-term liking for freemasonry.
W. Bro Roger Price Evans was initiated into the Hen Bont Lodge on the 9th December 1974 by Worshipful Brother Graham Boyce. His father was W. Bro. Tom Evans who was Master of the Lodge in 1962 and Roger himself became Master in 1982.
Roger was an easy going child and spent his childhood with his older brother Alun and older sister Adrienne. He was educated at Mill Street School, Pontypridd and after completing his studies, he went to work at South Wales Switchgear. He then moved to work for GEC at Nantgarw where he remained until retirement.
He married to Jen in 1971 who sadly passed away last year. He has had a lot of illness in the past few years but is getting stronger now and taken the opportunity to enjoy has love of golf.
Bro Leighton James was initiated into Hen Bont Lodge on the 13th May 1974 by Worshipful Brother Graham Boyce. Leighton was a Masonic Lewis – his father, Bro David Handel James being a member of Hen Bont Lodge and his grandfather, W. Bro David Luke James, being the Worshipful Master of Hen Bont in 1934.
Unfortunately, on St David’s Day 1946, Leighton’s father died when Leighton was 8 years of age. Leighton then entered the Royal Masonic Junior School for boys at Bushey in September of that same year. At 13 Leighton entered the senior school and during his time there he was a tenor drummer in the school Military Band affiliated to the (London) Rifle Brigade – he also performed at the London Earl’s Court military tattoo.
After leaving school, he entered the work place as an apprentice Draughtsman and volunteered for the RAF. He also started working temporarily at his grandparent’s grocery store founded in August 1900. He retired from the store 45 and half years later! Leighton has two children, Karen a finance officer with a housing association and Huw an Army Colonel, just retired. He is now a Project manager with an international engineering firm.
In June 2001, Leighton’s name appeared in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for service to Business and the community of Ynysybwl Rhondda Cynon Taff.
During Leighton’s lifetime, he has had interests in the community of Ynysybwl having been an early member of the Ynysybwl Regeneration Committee. He was the secretary of the ‘Steering Group’ in securing HRH Prince Charles to unveil the refurbished Ynysybwl War Memorial. Leighton was also a member of the Ynysybwl Community Project. He is a past President of the Rotary Club of Pontypridd and Past Chairman of the Probus Club of Pontypridd. He was also invited to be the President of the Ynysybwl Male Voice Choir and thePresident of the Ynysybwl Ladies Choir. Leighton’s principal enjoyment is touring the continent in his caravan, initially towing a caravan in July 1963.
Hen Bont Lodge will be celebrating its Centenary in 2025 and it is such a honour for the lodge that members new and old will be able to take part in the celebrations. Please look out for events the lodge will be holding over the next year to celebrate.