Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire

[ 2007] [1] [2] [3] [4]

At the last meeting before their recess on 27 June, the RWPGM along with DM Bro. Robert Little and SPGM Bro. Neville Clark, attended the meeting of Lodge Thistle and Rose Stivenstoune No.169. On this occasion Lodge Irvine St Andrew No.149 carried out a FC degree. Also in attendance was RWM of Lodge St John Royal Arch No.320 Bro. Colin Boyd and RWM of Lodge St Andrew No.126 Bro. Craig Hamilton. The PGM had the pleasure of welcoming W. Bro. James Arthur a PM of Connaught Lodge No.3573 in the Province of Somerset along with his brother-in-law Bro. James Hainey a PM of Lodge St. James Newton-upon-Ayr No.125.

The Quarterly Communication of the Provincial Grand lodge of Ayrshire was held within the premises of Lodge Thistle and Rose Stivenstoune No.169 on 25 June 2008. The RWPGM Brother Archie Chalmers chaired the meeting. The RWPGM was pleased to welcome into the Communication the Grand Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ayrshire, Brother James Hodge. Brother Hodge acknowledged the warm welcome and trusted that his presence would help cement to the Orders of Freemasonry in Ayrshire. The RWPGM then welcomed a very large deputation of brethren from Sister PGL's. They included the PGMs of Kilwinning Bro. David Bloomfield, Galloway Bro. James Smithers, Lanarkshire Upper Ward Bro. William Landsborough, Fife and Kinross Bro. Tom Bradley and Stirlingshire Bro. John McKenzie. Brother McKenzie appreciated the welcome into Ayrshire as this was his first visit to the PGL. The business of the Communication was gone through expeditiously and afterwards all spent some time enjoying the hospitality of the Host Lodge, Thistle and Rose No.169.

At the Summer Communication the RWPGM presented The Adam Pettigrew Cup for most donated towards the Sponsored Walk to Lodge Beith St John's No. 157. Lodge St John Royal Arch No.320 won the 549 Quaich for most donated via the Penny a Day scheme.

The RWPGM attended the Joint Divine Service of Lodges Thistle and Rose No.169, St John Royal Arch No.320 and Lodge Neptune Kilwinning No.442 on Sunday 15 June 2008 at 6:30pm within Ardeer Parish Church. The Service which was most inspiring indeed, was conducted by Brother Reverend John Lafferty, MM Lodge Commercial No.360 and an Honorary Member of Lodge No.169. The RWMs of the three Lodges were present namely, Brother Richard Templeton of No.169, Brother Colin Boyd of No.320 and Brother Kevin McGinn of No.442. The Deputation from Provincial Grand Lodge consisted Brother Robert Little Depute PGM, Bro. Neville Clark, Bro. William Raeside and Bro. Drew Rankine Substitute PGM, Bro. Robert Stewart PG Secretary, Bro. William Haggarty WPJGW and Bro David McClurkin. As usual the hospitality was most generous.

As a result of the Sponsored Walk from Kilmarnock to Loudoun Hill, the Brethren of Lodge St Clement Riccarton (Kilwinning) Kilmarnock No.202 were able to donate the magnificent amount of £1500 to the Children's Ward of Crosshouse Hospital. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was pleased to accompany them on Wednesday 11 June 2008 when the presentation was made.

A special meeting of Lodge Neptune Saltcoats No. 442 was held on 6 June 2008. RWM Kevin McGinn welcomed Bro. Darin Gill PM Secy and Bro. Colin MaCarter from Lodge No.685 in the Province of County Down, Northern Ireland into the Lodge before receiving a large deputation from The Ashley Lodge of Poole No. 6525 EC. The deputation was headed by Worshipful Brother Alan Hickson.The Brethren from Poole demonstrated their rendering of the 3rd Degree in an excellent manner. At the close of the meeting a dinner was held to celebrate the occasion. Also at the meeting were RWM Colin Boyd of Lodge St John Royal Arch No.320 and RWM Bro Brian Quinn The Royal Stewart No 1414.

On Friday 6 June 2008 the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, assisted by several others members of Provincial Grand Lodge, attended the Regular Meeting of Lodge St John Kilwinning Kilmarnock No.22. RWM Brother John Brown presiding. The main business of the Meeting was the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master giving a talk on "The Principal Founder Members of The Burns Federation", Lodge St John having a particular interest since our National Bard was made an Honorary Member of the Lodge in 1786. Kilmarnock also features strongly in the history of the Burns Federation so the connection with Lodge St John is quite apt. Pictured are the Office Bearers and Past master of Lodge St John along with Provincial Grand Secretary Brother Robert Stewart, Substitute Provincial Grand Master Brother Neville Clark and Past Provincial Grand Secretary Brother Samuel Peden. Honorary Member of Provincial Grand Lodge Brother John Chalmers is also pictured with the Deputation.

On Friday 29 May 2008 Bro. Iain Hull RWM of Lodge Prestwick 1060 accompanied by his WSW Bro. Robert McLauchlan and Depute Master Bro. John Trousdale visited the Extended Support for Learning Department now based at Queen Margaret Academy. After a guided tour of the department by the principal teacher Jane Happs he presented a cheque for £160.00. Every year the students raise money themselves which is used to pay for a day out at a local garden centre. Unfortunately the money that they had raised went missing and their special day was going to be cancelled. Their plight was brought to the attention of the Lodge Treasurer by Liz Robertson who works at the school. Iain said: “It has been a real pleasure to be here today and we are grateful to Liz for giving us this opportunity to help. We are all impressed by the amount of work that these teachers achieve and I hope that the Lodge will be able to provide further funding in the future”. Iain is pictured presenting the cheque to Jane surrounded by the students and teaching staff.

The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master visited Lodge St John No.334, New Cumnock on 29 May 2008. The meeting was chaired by RWM Bro. William Tomlin who was delighted to welcome the Provincial deputation. Also present on this occasion was RWM Bro. Roy Brown of Lodge St Thomas Muirkirk No.201 and RWM Bro. Alex Haddow of Lodge Sanquhar Kilwinning No. 194.

On Monday 26 May 2008 the RWPGM attended the Regular Meeting of Lodge St James Newton-upon-Ayr No.125, RWM Brother James McCallum presiding. He was accompanied by Substitute PGM Brother Neville Clark. The Ceremony of Mark Master Mason was conferred upon one candidate in an an exemplary manner by the IPM and Brethren of Lodge Troon Navigation No.86. RWM of Lodge Girvan St John's No.237, Brother William Smallwood spoke on behalf of the Visitors.
On Tuesday 27 May 2008 the RWPGM went along to Lodge Stivenstoune Thistle and Rose No.169 where RWM Brother Richard Templeton presided over a Master Mason Degree conferred by the Office-Bearers of the Lodge. The brethren were delighted to receive an unofficial visit from Provincial Grand Lodge especially from their PGM.

Fri 2 May 2008 was a fine night at Lodge St James Tarbolton (Kilwinning) No.135. The RWPGM visited the Lodge with a Deputation from the PGL. On this occasion Lodge Prestwick No.1060 conferred a MMM degree to the very high standard that we have come to expect of them. At the start of the meeting the RWPGM with the assistance of Bro. Colin McCormick PM presented Bro. Hugh Wilson with a Diploma to mark 50 years of faithful and dedicated service to Lodge St James. Also in attendance was Right Worshipful Bro. John Chalmers who is the Provincial Assistant Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Africa Northern (Irish Constitution). What a coincidence that he should be related to our own RWPGM! His Paternal Grandfather and RWPGM Archie's Paternal Grand Father were the same person. Unfortunately their GrandFather's first wife died in childbirth. Brother John's family was from the first marriage, Bro. Archie's from the second. Also present was Brother Arthur Campbell MM of Lodge Thistle No.127 who proposed the RWPGM in to the Craft.

[ 2007] [1] [2] [3] [4]