RWPGM Bro. Archibald Chalmers

 

THE INSTALLATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
BROTHER ARCHIBALD CHALMERS
AND
COMMISSIONED OFFICE-BEARERS
5 APRIL 2008

On a bright spring April afternoon, the Installation of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire, Brother Archibald Chalmers, was held in the Walker Halls, Troon. A large gathering of brethren from Sister Provinces and Lodges from all over Scotland were present. Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due and antient form and received a deputation of fifty brethren from the Sister Provinces. A deputation of twenty nine brethren were then admitted from the Grand Lodge of Scotland headed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Brother Sir Archibald Donald Orr Ewing Bart. They were piped in to Provincial Grand Lodge to the tune of Highland Cathedral by Brother Liam Rodger MM of Lodge Girvan St Johns No.237. After the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason had taken the chair, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was escorted in to the Lodge and installed into his Office by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason. The Commissioned Office-Bearers, Depute Provincial Grand Master Brother Robert Little, Substitute Provincial Grand Masters, Brother Neville Clark, Brother William Raeside, Brother Drew Rankine and Brother William Steele and Provincial Grand Secretary Brother Robert Stewart along with Provincial Grand Chaplains Brother Ian MacDonald, Brother William Milligan and Brother Ian Benzie were then installed and invested with their regalia by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason. The Roll of Lodges of the Province was then called and each representative stood to show their allegiance to the newly installed Provincial Grand Master. After addressing the Brethren the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason called on Provincial Grand Chaplain to lead the brethren in praise and prayer. A collection was then uplifted for the Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund.
RWPGM Archie Chalmers
RWPGM with all surviving Past Provincial Grand Masters
After receiving the mallet from the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren but before closing Provincial Grand Lodge he called on Right Worshipful Grand Director of Ceremonies Brother W Ramsay McGhee to present the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Kilwinning Brother David Wilson. Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Archibald Chalmers touched on the history of the two Provinces and intimated that due to his zeal for the Craft and for his friendship and assistance to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire over many years that he would now confer on Provincial Grand Master Brother David, honorary membership of the Province of Ayrshire. Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother David felt privileged and to receive this honour and intimated that since he was taken by surprise, he would gather his thoughts and reply more full and appropriately at the festive board. Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due and antient form.
RWPGM with Grand Lodge Office Bearers
RWPGM with Sister Province Office Bearers
Around 250 brethren then retired to the dining hall where the festive board was held. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Archibald Chalmers welcomed everyone to the dinner and grace was said by the Provincial Grand Chaplain Brother Ian MacDonald. During the meal the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master personally went round the hall and gave each attending brother a commemorative lapel badge displaying the crest of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire. This was a very thoughtful gesture and much appreciated by the brethren.
RWPGM wearing the dinner jewel Brethren from 22 & 331
During the Installation Ceremony the Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Thistle Stewarton No.127, presented the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master with a dining jewel which he is pictured wearing. This was a present from his Mother Lodge to mark the occasion. After having performed his duties impeccably during the Installation ceremony, Right Worshipful Grand Director of Ceremonies Brother Ramsay McGhee took charge of the after dinner proceedings, his jovial mood apparently attributed to the Ross County score from earlier in the afternoon. Brother Liam Stewart of Lodge St Peter Galston No.331 provided musical entertainment on the Grand Piano and Accordion accompanied by Brother Andrew Kain of Lodge Old St John No.21 playing the violin. An excellent rendition was also given on the flute by Brother William Young of Lodge Mother Kilwinning No.0.
Brethren from 125, 565 & MK0
Provincial & Sister Province Brethren
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master hails from the "Bonnet Town" of Stewarton. Therefore it seemed an appropriate gift to give the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason a souvenir of the "Bunnet Toun". Brother Sir Archie was delighted to receive this gift which is adorned with the crest of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire and promises to wear it on all ceremonial occasions!!
MWGMM wearing a Stewarton Bonnet
RW Grand Director of Ceremonies Ramsay McGhee
Collecting the Raffle Brethren from 1334
After the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master had toasted the Queen, Depute Provincial Grand Master Brother Robert Little paid tribute to the Grand Lodge of Scotland which the assembled brethren joined with him in a toast. Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Brother Sir Archibald Donald Orr Ewing Bart. suitably and humorously replied. Having gathered his thoughts Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Kilwinning Brother David Wilson toasted the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire and at the same time thanked the Provincial Grand Master for the honour bestowed on him earlier. He spoke at great length on his thoughts and feelings of how the friendship between the two Provinces has developed. the toast was roundly applauded by all attending. The Provincial Grand Master replied to this fine toast informing all assembled that this was one of the finest toasts given at any festive boards he had attended and well worthy of the Province of Kilwinning and a credit to their Provincial Grand Master. Thereafter Substitute Provincial Grand Master Brother Neville Clark toasted the Daughter Lodges which while seriously conceived and in parts humorously delivered was well received by the brethren. Indeed for one who professed not to be a raconteur or teller of jokes, Brother Neville had the company rolling with laughter. Right Worshipful Master Brother Stuart Lyon of Lodge Loudoun Kilwinning No.51 replied in equally as humorous a vein, and excellent finish to a splendid day for the brethren of Ayrshire. The company ended by the singing of mankind's national Anthem Auld Lang Syne and singing God Save the Queen.
 Honorary PGM RWPGM David Wilson
RWPGM & MWGMM
 RWPGM & RWPGM of Dunbartonshire Brother Tom Leckenby RWPGM & W. Bro. Granville Angell of UGLE
MWGMM and RWPGM with Bro. Lary R. Smith, Past GM of the Grand Lodge of Michigan
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