JOHN Gillo, the only Forester to become head of a masonic order in Gloucestershire, is to reveal the story of freemasonry in the Dean in a talk to the Forest of Dean Local History Society this Saturday (September 2).

He will be speaking at the Royal Forest of Dean Lodge headquarters in Newnham where members of the society are guests for the day.

Mr Gillo, who lives in Dursley, is the son of the late Mr and Mrs Albert Gillo, of Coleford.

He was born at the Dilke Memorial Hospital and educated at Coleford’s Bells Grammar School.

Family links include ties to forestry, the old Robin Hood iron ore mine and the once well-known Trotters store in the town.

His talk marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Forest Lodge and will include detail of other Forest lodges including the Vasser-Smith and Vale of Castiard, which both meet in Lydney, and the Edenwall Lodge based in Coleford.

Afterwards there will be an opportunity to see items of regalia.

Mr Gillo, Provincial Grand Master of the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Mark Master Masons, spent his career in banking, working in the Forest, Chepstow, Cheltenham and Dursley.

As a young man he was deeply involved in motor sport and played a leading role in the establishment of the Wyedean Stages Rally. He was also involved in many equestrian activities.

Since his initiation in 1970 he has enjoyed a long and distinguished masonic career serving in many provincial roles.

Saturday’s meeting is the first of two September events for History Society members.

On Wednesday, September 20 at Blakeney Village Hall, Dr Mark Lewis will give a talk on Romans in the Lower Severn Valley.

The Newnham meeting begins at 3pm and the Blakeney talk at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome at both events.