Bro. Geoff Davis writes:-

I was born in Gloucester in 1944. My grandfather was a cement works engineer, who founded the Helipebs Co. in Gloucester, makers of steel balls for the cement, mining and the power industries and also hydraulic control equipment. He was a member of the London based Lodge of Precision No: 3842 and once a month I used to see him off to London by train and meet him on his return the next day, I never knew where he went or what he did! My father was a member of Royal Union Lodge for 50 years, although he had great difficulty at Festive Boards, having lost most of his hearing as a result of seven wartime years in the Royal Artillery.

 

I was educated at Dean Close School as a boarder, and was a house prefect and captain of gymnastics through which, and the CCF, I received training at the Army School of Physical Training in Aldershot.

Not having gained a university place, I elected to join Helipebs as an engineering apprentice in 1963. This saw me serving 5 years in 5 different companies: Heenan & Froude, Fielding & Platt, Walker Crossweller, Dowty, Rugby Cement, and a period in Russia learning how to produce ball-bearings by the scew roll forging process, a little Russian. and how to drink vodka!

 

After 45 years with Helipebs. I am now Group Managing Director, which involves overseas visits as far a field as Australia, Africa, America and Europe, selling products. securing supplies and meeting strategic partners. An accident in the 2ud year of my apprentiship left me with seven broken vertebrae and several broken ribs. My consultant suggested gardening to strengthen my back. Returning to gymnastics. I achieved a Silver Medal on my 50” birthday in the National Veterans’ competition. Now I garden and keep bees which can yield up to 150lbs of honey a year.

 

I married Diane in 1976. We have a daughter who works at the Sue Ryder Hospice, and a son who trained as a national elite gymnast. We both represented Great Britain in display gymnastics in Berlin in 1995. and in Gothenburg in 1999. My son is a local fitness consultant.

I was approached to join Freemasonry quite some time ago, but with a heavy work schedule it was 2002 before I joined. With hindsight I regret this. I have been heartened by the tremendous encouragement and support I have received since I joined this Lodge, support which I know will be forthcoming throughout my year as its Master.

Bro. Geoff Davis, Worshipful Master 2009