AERON Lewis has just been celebrating fifty years as being a Freemason with a special presentation at the Vitruvian Masonic Lodge in Ross on Wye.

Mr Lewis was honoured at a recent meeting of the Freemasons in Ross by being presented with a 50-year certificate by the deputy head of freemasonry in Herefordshire, Stuart Jones.

Aeron was born in Dolau near Llandrindod Wells, attending Bangor University to study teacher training.

His first post was at Bridgnorth in Shropshire where he taught design technology. He moved to Ross during the early 1970s to take up a post as head of technology at John Kyrle High School until he retired in 1997.

The son of a mason, his Masonic career started in 1975 when he was initiated into Ithon Lodge in Llandrindod Wells.

And when he moved to Ross, he joined Vitruvian Lodge and was Lodge Almoner, a person who looks after sick masons and their families.

Mr Lewis qualified for 50 years of unbroken Masonic Service in May 2025. He has been Master of Vitruvian Lodge on two occasions and Master of Ariconium lodge which also meets in Ross.

Vitruvian meets on the first Monday evening each month between October and May and Ariconium on the third Tuesday.

The presentation was witnessed by members of both Lodges and visitors from other Lodges in Herefordshire and the neighbouring provinces.

Both Lodges have been very active in the local community, assisting the Ross Community Food larder with regular donations, helping the Churchyard Angels to maintain the graveyard at St Mary’s church and assisting the Royal British Legion with the memorial garden at Howle Hill and with this year’s poppy appeal.

Freemasonry has existed in Herefordshire since 1727 when the first lodge was formed in Hereford. There are currently 15 Freemasons’ Lodges across Herefordshire.

Further details can be found on the website herefordshiremasons.org.uk .