Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE DIVINE SERVICE

The Annual Provincial Divine Service was held on 27 April 2008 in Skelmorlie. RWPGM Brother Archibald Chalmers opened Provincial Grand Lodge within Skelmorlie Community Centre for the purpose of attending Divine Worship. The Lessons were read by RWPGM and Substitute PGM Brother Drew CY Rankine. The organist Siona Leitch was credit to the service and the male voice singing was superb especially the Hymn sung to the tune “Highland Cathedral”.

A warm welcome was extended to all present, numbering around 90, including Brother James W. Miller RWPGM of Renfrewshire West and Brother George R. Kelly Past PGM of Lanarkshire Middle Ward. The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed and under the guidance of PG Director of Ceremonies Brother Ian McBreen, the brethren were marshalled for Parade to the Church. Led by Largs Pipe Band the brethren made their way down the hill to Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay Parish Church to be met by Rev William B. Armstrong BD and Provincial Grand Chaplain Brother Rev Ian U. Macdonald.

At the close of the Service all returned to the Community Centre where Lodge Montgomerie Kilwinning Skelmorlie No.624 had laid on a magnificent spread which was greatly appreciated by those present. Brother Stewart “Scoops” Cruickshank was present taking photographs of the parade.

At the end of the day all had had enjoyable day at Skelmorlie both at Church and Lodge. Everyone had enjoyed the travel along the Ayrshire coast, which was at its best on this sunny Sunday evening. Depute PGM Brother Robert Little gave thanks to the Lodge for all their arrangements and stated that they had every reason to be proud of their achievements today. The RWM of the Lodge, Brother John Little, expressed the honour and delight the Lodge had had in hosting the event, the first time that PGL had held their Church Service in Skelmorlie and he hoped that it wouldn't be the last.