April 21, 1951

A WELL-known figure in local Masonic circles, Mr Fred Blakey, of Abbey Road, Redditch, died at his home on Friday after several weeks' illness.

Mr Blakey had been a Freemason for about 25 years and was a past master of the Seymour Lodge, Redditch.

He was a former chief metallurgist at BSA Tools Ltd, Birmingham, where he worked for 30 years until his retirement a few years ago.

Up to the time of his illness, he was employed by the Redditch branch of Pearson and Beck Ltd.

A native of Driffield (Yorkshire), Mr Blakey was apprentice to pharmacy but left to become a works chemist.

He was the son of the late Mr JG Blakey, a Redditch horticulturist, and kept rainfall and other records, an interest he derived from his father.

He leaves a widow. Many representatives of local Masonic lodges gathered for the funeral service at Redditch Parish Church on Tuesday afternoon.