News and Events archive
The Haughfoot Lodge
A Special Meeting is being held on Friday 29th April 2022. It’s a 5 Friday month as such this does not clash with any other local meetings.
The Haughfoot Lodge No.1824 (The Scottish Borders) will be working a demonstration of an ancient First Degree. AS always visitors will be most welcome.
Gallon Bottle of Whisky
Having no regular financial income during the lockdown period, an anonymous member very kindly donated a GALLON BOTTLE OF 12 Yr OLD MALT WHISKY for the Lodge to use in order to raise some funds to assist with our Centenary celebrations. We decided to issue forms to members asking them to obtain support by getting entries for ‘Guess the time that the Master’s old wind up watch stopped at’
The support received was tremendous and a total of £1,510 was raised. The winning entry was sold by Hon. Member Brian O’Connor PM of Lodge Camelon, No. 1456, and the winner was Donald Easton – Brian’s son-in -law.
A photograph of Bro. Ray Newton PM presenting the BIG BOTTLE to Donald is contained in the Photographs section under the heading Centenary.
Charity Sponsored Walk (CRY)
At the time of updating the website consideration was being given to resuming our Annual Charity Sponsored Walk. Further details can be obtained from Bro. Martin L Nelson IPM and Bro James F Smith PM.
Bro. George T. Ryce
On Tuesday 6th December 2016, Bro. George T. Ryce was presented with a 50 Year Jubilee Certificate and Medal in recognition of his services to Freemasonry. The presentation was made by Bro. David L. Lacey I.P.M., assisted by Geordie’s two grandsons, Bro. Scott G. Ryce W.J.W. and Bro. Darren Inglis M.M.
Whilst Bro. Lacey covered key dates in Geordie’s masonic career his grandson Scott gave a very enlightening insight into Geordie’s life covering his home life, his working career including his time serving in Her Majesty’s Forces and of course his devotion to music particularly the bagpipes and also to his beloved canaries.
A well deserved honour for a lovely guy.
Lodge St. James, No. 171, Doune
On the 7th March 2019, Bro Bill Ewen, Past Master/Treasurer of 1232 delivered a lecture on the ‘Horseman’s Word’ at a Regular Meeting of No. 171. This was based on hand written papers that Bill inherited after the death of his father. In the early part of the last century Bill’s father was a highly respected Horseman in the north east of Scotland and Bill’s talk was founded on notes made by his father. The ‘Horseman’s Word’, was it an alternative to modern day Freemasonry ?
On the same evening Bro. Ray Newton, Past Master was made an Honorary Member of Lodge St. James, No. 171, Doune.
Membership Medals
In November 2018 Bro. John A. Sandilands, Tyler, was presented with a 40 Year Membership Medal. On the same evening Bro. T. William Paterson, Past Master, was presented with a 50 Year Membership Medal.
The presentations were made by Bro. Martin L Nelson, RWM assisted by the Depute Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Ronnie Gemmill.
Bro. Chris Blyth,
On our visitation to Lodge Ancient Brazen, No. 17, on 23rd January 2019, our I.G.,Bro. Chris Blyth was somewhat surprised when R.W.M. Bro. David L. Paterson summoned him to the floor and informed him that in recognition of the work that he had carried out to assist No. 17, it was his delight this evening to ask if he would accept Honorary Membership of No. 17. Bro. Blyth was delighted to accept and was thereafter congratulated by all present.
Bro. T. William Paterson, P.M.
On Friday 30th November 2018, at our Honorary Members Degree, Bro. T. William (Bill) Paterson, P.M., was presented with a 50 Year Medal in recognition of his services. The medal was presented by Bro. Martin L. Nelson, R.W.M. assisted by Bro. Ronnie Gemmill, Right Worshipful Depute provincial Grand Master.
Bro. Paterson expressed his delight in receiving the award and commented on the many happy memories that he treasures.
New Members Degree
Details of the next New Members Degree will be posted as soon as soon as they become available.
A ‘new member’ covers members who have joined the craft within the last 5 years.
The Great War 1914-1918
At the Provincial Grand Masters meeting held in Perth in August 2017, the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Poppyscotland entered into a joint venture to commemorate the end of the Great War in 1918.
Arrangements have now been made for every Province in Scotland to be visited during August and September 2018, this being facilitated by the ‘Widows Sons Scotland’ (WSS)
The WSS is a motorbike riders association in Scotland open to Master Masons in good-standing who enjoy motorbikes and at the same time give a great deal of time to raising funds for local charities.
With regards to the Province of Linlithgowshire, the WSS will be in attendance at the Scottish Korea War Memorial, which is located one mile east of Torphichen, on Sunday 5th August 2018 at 3.00pm. For further information regarding the Scottish Korea War memorial please google Witchcraig Woodland & Korea War Memorial – West Lothian Council. The postcode for the Memorial is EH48 4NW
All lodges in the province have been invited to lay a wreath and specially commissioned pin badges will be available.
In concluding Brethren, I trust you will consider giving this project your support as a fitting tribute to the many Brethren who served and the many who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War.