Page 4 - Keystone Summer 2020 Issue 5

Welcome to your new Provincial Grand Charity Steward

W Bro Valentine Cooke or, as he is known to most Val, became
our new Provincial Grand Charity Steward on the 2nd May 2020
taking over from W Bro John Nicholson after many outstanding
years of service.

Through the Keystone magazine we asked Val to give us a little
insight into his background and his Masonic career.
Val was born in Feb 1957 and attended his first school in
Frampton Cotterell, both primary and junior before gaining his 11
plus and then attended Filton High Grammar. With a fair number
of O levels under his belt he joined Rolls-Royce in 1974 as a
technical apprentice. By 1978 he was already moving through
the ranks, taking on many new rolls and finally in 2011 he was appointed Product Definition
Manager and Global Capability Owner – GTSC (Global Chief Draughtsman for the Gas Turbine
Supply Chain) covering RR Indianapolis, RR Germany, RR Derby and RR Bristol. V
al took early retirement in 2015.

His Masonic journey started in February 1995 when he was Initiated into the Royal Sussex Lodge
No 53. He attained the Master’s Chair in 2003. In 2008 he was appointed as PrAGDC, followed
by PrDGDC in 2009. In 2014 /15 he was furthered honoured by becoming the PrJGW and then in
2017 PPrSGW.

Val is a member of Lodge Uno Corde and is currently their Worshipful Master, where he will stay
until 2022.

His Mark journey began in January 1998 when he was Advanced into Somerdale Lodge,
becoming Master in 2008. His first Provincial appointment was in 2010 as PrGStdB, followed by
PrGMO in 2013 and then PPrGSW in 2019.
He was Elevated in Irwin Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in November 2000 where he became
Worshipful Commander in 2007. He received his first appointment in R.A.M as PrGR in 2014.

I asked Val what other things he enjoys?
I enjoy walking, dancing when I am permitted to lead and I very much enjoy DIY as long as it’s
projects that I have chosen and can time manage.
Regarding food, I like basic foods like faggots, mash and peas. Not keen on fancy food where I
get a small portion of something I don’t really recognise. Fish and seafood is off the menu much
to my wife’s disgust.
We have a rescue dog, old boy of 15, who joins me on my morning walks. I also keep goldfish in
my newly built pond (one of my projects), losing none of them when moving them from the old
pond.

Holidays are a big part of life. When working, I would go on holiday every 3 months, Far East in
the winter months, once being snowed-in in Thailand due to Heathrow being closed. I enjoy
beach holidays in the main where I can do plenty of sea swimming then back to a good book
while baking under the sun.
Not keen on walking around museums while on holiday.

Summer Issue 2020 Page4