Llantwit Major Lodge No. 9241 recently held a very special double celebration in honour of a truly dedicated Freemason, W.Bro. Ian Harding, marking his 50 years of service to the Craft and celebrating his 87th Birthday.
W.Bro. Ian’s Masonic journey began on 10th March 1976 when he was initiated into Carmel Lodge No. 4774. At that time, the Provincial Grand Master was the Rt Hon John Hussey Hamilton Vivian, 4th Baron Swansea (Lord Swansea), with V.W.Bro. Harry Stockwell as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The Province was also served by two Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, W.Bro. Harold Wilson and W.Bro. Llewellyn Bevan, and the Provincial Grand Secretary was W.Bro. Malcolm Thompson.
W.Bro. Ian worked diligently through the Lodge offices, ultimately being installed as Worshipful Master on 13th February 1985 in Carmel Lodge No. 4774.
His Masonic journey, however, was far from limited to a single Lodge. In 1987, with great foresight and commitment, W.Bro. Ian, alongside W.Bro. Mel Thomas of Porthkerry Lodge, realised the need to support Freemasons living in Llantwit Major. Their shared vision led to the founding of Llantwit Major Lodge No. 9241 on 16th October 1987, with W.Bro. Ian later serving as Master in 2002.
Never one to rest, W.Bro. Ian became a joining member of Loyal Sportsman Lodge No. 9197 in May 2018 and was installed as Worshipful Master later that year, in October.
His unwavering dedication to the Craft has been formally recognised through several Provincial honours: Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon (1998), Past Provincial Grand Registrar (2018), and most recently, the esteemed rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden (2022).
W.Bro. Ian is known throughout the Province as a compassionate, caring and principled Mason, a source of wisdom and support to Brethren across all his Lodges. Although his health has sadly declined in recent times, the Province remains deeply grateful for his decades of loyal service to both the Craft and Royal Arch.
To mark these two exceptional milestones, a Garden Party was held on Sunday, 3rd August, bringing together Brethren, family, and friends to celebrate. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Robert G. Payne, was delighted to attend on behalf of the Province, presenting W.Bro. Ian with his 50-year certificate and commemorative lapel pin, a fitting tribute to a lifetime of Masonic devotion.
Pictured Left to Right: Ian’s Wife Karla, Ian Harding, Robert Payne (AProvGM), Ian’s Daughter, Tina