Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire

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On 26 th January, Lodge Thistle and Rose No. 169. held the annual Lodge Burns Supper in the social club. (Photo courtesy of Colin Apperley BB 169)
	On Sunday 24 th January, the Annual Burns Supper of Lodge Darvel No. 971 was held in the Lodge Lounge, Bro. Stuart Lyons (RWM of Lodge LKN 51) presiding. The RWPGM was in attendance. (picture courtesy of PGM)
As President, RWPGM Bro Archibald Chalmers, presided over the annual Burns Supper of the Kilmarnock No.0 Burns Club, on 23 rd January at the Broomhill Hotel. (picture courtesy of PGM)
	On Friday 22 nd January, RWPGM Bro Archibald Chalmers, (President of the Kilmarnock No. 0 Burns Club) attended the Dalry Burns Club, President (Brother) Robert Barr. (picture courtesy of PGM)
On Saturday 3 October 2009 the RWPGM Chaired the long awaited and much talked about Burns Dinner and Ceilidh. The event was organised as part of the Homecoming Year which celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Quite by chance there were 250 people at the event which was held within The Grand Hall, Kilmarnock and included among the guests were Mr Frank Donnelly, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran; Provost Stephanie Young of East Ayrshire Council, Provost Robert Rae of North Ayrshire Council and Provost Winifred Sloan of South Ayrshire Council.

Prior to the main event the RWPGM presented the three Provosts each with a Cheque for £250 which they would in turn donate to a local Charity of their choice. Each expressed their personal thanks for the kind gesture from the Freemasons. Brother Chalmers intimated to them that during the past 18 months, since he had become the PGM, the Daughter Lodges and the PGL of Ayrshire had donated the fantastic sum of £100,000 to Masonic and Non-Masonic Charities. The main event got under way with Brother Robert McCroskie PM 135, Addressing the Haggis in superb style, ably assisted with his Henchman Brother William Grant PM 314. Brother Jim Cook of Lodge 149 was the Piper for the evening. Brother Rev Ian U. Macdonald PG Chaplain, proposed the Immortal Memory in a manner that enthralled everyone present. We were indeed privileged to have such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Burnsian in our midst. Brothers William Steel and Stuart Lyon, PM and RWM of LKN 51 respectively delivered Tam O'Shanter in an entertaining manner.

The Band for the evening was The Liam Stewart and Andy Kain Band and they had everyone up dancing for the rest of the evening. The assembled company had a surprise for RWM William Black of Lodge 157 who celebrated his 80th birthday. He was presented with a Birthday cake, flowers for his wife Betty and a Bottle of Bubbly. The Raffle realised just over £1000 which the Brethren of Lodge Prestwick made up to £1060. Just before the end of the evening Brother Adam Cunningham proposed a Vote of Thanks to the Organising Committee and to those in attendance who had made it such a success. Auld Lang Syne concluded a most memorable evening in the annals of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire.

The RWPGM, in his capacity as President of the Kilmarncok No.0 Burns Club, laid a wreath at the Burns/Wilson Statue at Kilmarnock Cross on Sunday 26th July 2009. The ceremony is held to commemorate the printing by Wilson of the Kilmarnock Edition in July 1786. Also present were PM Gordon Middleton, President of West Kilbride Burns Club and PM Angus Middleton, Past President of The RBWF Ltd. (Photos' courtesy of Archie Chalmers)

	Right Worshipful Master Bro. Gary Mitchell of Lodge St Clement (Kilwinning) Riccarton Kilmarnock No.202 presented a rose bowl to Gerard Cairns, the Registration and Information Services Manager at the new Burns Monument Centre in Kilmarnock's Kay Park. Also in the picture is Immediate Past Master Bro. John Oliver. The presentation took place on Monday 29 June. The Lodge felt it only right and proper to cement their relationship with this magnificent new building which will undoubtedly be an asset to the town of Kilmarnock.

The RWPGM, accompanied by DPGM, PG Secretary and Bro. Stewart Cruickshank, attended a Garden Party at the National Burns Memorial Homes in Mauchline on Sunday afternoon of 14 June 2009. The event was to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of our National Bard. Mr Douglas Hemmings welcomed everyone present and invited the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Mr John Duncan, to formally Open the occasion. The Provost of East Ayrshire Council, Mrs Stephanie Young, was also present. Part of the afternoons entertainment was a tour of the Tower which we thoroughly enjoyed. As representatives of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire we were made most welcome.

		On Monday 27 April 2009, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Archibald Chalmers became the President of the Number 0 Burns Club in Kilmarnock.
On Sunday 25 January 2009, a large amount of Brethren, Cronies and townsfolk gathered at the National Burns Memorial in Mauchline to lay wreaths in honour of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. These included RWPGM Bro. Archie Chalmers, Grand Lodge of Scotland Grand Standard- Bearer Bro. James Bell, Superintendent of Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter Bro. James Hodge, District Grand Prior Bro. Peter Watson, First Principal of Ballochmyle Royal Arch Chapter No.722 MEC James Walker, RWM Bro. John Chalmers Lodge St David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No.133 RWM Bro. Duncan Fenwick Lodge Tarbolton (Kilwinning) St James No. 135. Des Brown MP, Cathy Jamieson MSP, the President of Mauchline Burns Club and Patron of Poosie Nansies.

The Wreath laying ceremony in Ayr was not blessed with good weather, but it did not dampen the spirits of the participants. People from all walks of life were there. Alex Salmond, The First Minister, two Scottish Parliament Ministers including John Scott, the local MSP, three Members of Parliament and of course The Substitute Provincial Grand Master, Bro. William Steel. He was accompanied by the Worshipful Provincial Grand Architect, Bro. Stuart McKenzie Muirhead of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire. A very moving wreath laying ceremony was followed by a Civic Reception in the Station Hotel hosted by South Ayrshire Council.

Images from Burns Statue Square by kind permission of Bro. Stuart Muirhead PM Lodge St James Newton-upon-Ayr No.125
The stone work of the Auld KIrk o' Alloway has been re pointed, the bell housing, doorways and windows have been restored and a new path laid around the perimeter. The cottage has a new thatch and the walls have all been given a fresh coat. Every thing is ready to welcome the many thousands, who are sure to come from far and near in 2009, to pay homage to Scotland's greatest son and celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth.

Our monarch's hindmost year but ane Was five and twenty days begun, "Twas then a blast o Janwar win" Blew hansel in on Robin.

Images of Alloway's Auld Kirk and Burns Cottage by Bro. Stuart Muirhead PM Lodge St James Newton-upon-Ayr No.125

On a beautiful bright sunny Sunday 27 of July 2008 representatives of The Howff Burns Club of Kilmarnock (President James Blades); Kilmarnock No.0 Burns Club (President William Steel); Ayrshire Federation of Burns Clubs (President Angus Middleton); The Robert Burns World Federation Limited (President John Haining) along with representatives of several other Burns Clubs and East Ayrshire Council, attended at the Cross of Kilmarnock to lay wreaths at the base of the Burns/Wilson Statue. This being the 222nd anniversary of the Printing of the Kilmarnock Edition. The two photographs show those in attendance. One of them is aptly named "Brithers a'" due to the fact that Angus Middleton is a PM of Lodge No.314; Archie Chalmers PGM is Vice-President of the Kilmarnock No.0 Burns Club, John Haining is a MM of Lodge Saint Columba No.729, William Steel is a PM of Lodge LKN 51 and PM of Lodge 971, and Jim Blades is a PM of Lodge No.127.