Long Service for E Comp Paul Hayes
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On 7th April 2026 Metropolitan Grand Inspector E Comp Tony Shepherd attended Hand of Good Fellowship Chapter No 5249 at Freemasons’ Hall to witness an excellent Exaltation ceremony for Bro Tiago Lucas and to present a 52 year Long Service Certificate to 88-year-old E Comp Paul Hayes.
E Comp Paul is, by any standards, an extraordinary man. As a retired Consultant Haematologist, he still travels to Pakistan where he volunteers at a Karachi hospital. In recent years, Railway Preservation has become a passion, and he has been very active with Spa Valley & Rother Valley Railway Preservation Societies, helping to restore engines and other railway items.
A student of archaeology, Paul has organized and taken part in numerous digs around the country over the decades. At 88 he still volunteers at Rochester Cathedral, acting as Crucifer at Choral Eucharist. In the Rose Croix, Paul was a member of the King Edward VII Demonstration Team and remains one of the preceptors of their COI.
In fact, due to an important Rose Croix demonstration rehearsal at 10 Duke Street which overran, Paul couldn't attend the Chapter meeting itself but faithfully attended the Festive Board at the Doubletree at Hilton Hotel, where he was presented with his Long Service Certificate. The respect, admiration and affection for him at that dinner was a joy to behold.
This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 61 – Summer 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in Arena Issue 61 here.
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