Gardeners News

September 2006

The next Meeting of Adelphi Bluebell Lodge will be on Friday 13th. October 2006 at 7.30pm . in The Masonic Temple, Gardenside St., Uddingston. 

 

A warm welcome is extended by The Worthy Master and Brethren to Free Gardeners from other Lodges who wish to attend.

 

New Members. Six new members were admitted to the Order at the last meeting on 6th. June 2006. Thomas McGibbney, Hugh Glen, George Martin, Edward McKirdy, David Bell, and William Cullen were warmly received. The attendance at the last meeting was 36, which was tremendous. Visitors included members from Ayrshire    Bluebell No. 7 and Virginia Bluebell No. 8. Bro. Bill Boe, W.M. No. 7 gave a report on the progress of the Ayrshire Lodge and a meeting was planned on the Isle of Arran (see report over). Bro. Wayne Price , W.M. No. 8, Strasburg , Virginia reported that there was a genuine interest in the  Order in Virginia and that a meeting of  No. 8 was planned in the Autumn. Eleven Applications were read and approved by the Brethren present.  The collection at the meeting was £61 and at the conclusion of the meeting the Brethren enjoyed a fine meal prepared by Bro. Bruce Reidford.  

Arran Report. Bro. Archie Chalmers the Worthy Secretary of  Ayrshire Bluebell Lodge No. 7.

Saturday 1st. July 2006 was a historical day in the history of the Ayrshire Lodge. 17 members travelled to Lamlash on the Isle of Arran and held a meeting there. The Brethren had a tremendous day on the island and such was the enthusiasm for the Order that they Initiated 10 Candidates from the island into Ayrshire Bluebell No. 7.

Unfortunately, Worthy Master Bro. Bill Boe was unable to attend due to ill health, however Bro. Bobby Laird, Past Worthy Master took the chair and conducted the business in a very  competent manner. Two visitors were present at themeeting, Bro. Archie Hoey (No. 4) and Bro. Max Gasking from Lodge No. 5 in Cheshire . Bro. Gasking was able to tell the members of No. 7 that the Cheshire Lodge was progressing well.  Could it be that the 10 new Lodge Members on the Island will consider opening their own Lodge on Arran .

 

AGM. At the next meeting on Friday 13th. October the Lodge Secretary will present the financial statement to the Lodge. He will also report on the progress that the Lodge has made in the last year.

 

 

Ebay. Last month a Free Gardeners Apron appeared for sale on Ebay. Amazingly the apron sold for £290. It was described as a silk hand painted apron dated 1828. The apron was from Adam`s Union Lodge but no number or Order was given. Also on Ebay was an important booklet titled Rules of the Eden Parent Lodge of England. The Rules were printed in 1841, but more importantly the Lodge was Instuted in 1811 by Charter from the Caledonian Thistle Lodge, Dundee . This booklet was purchased by our Lodge for £40.

 

Ayrshire Bluebell No.7.

Bro. Ronnie McCarney, Worthy Master headed a Deputation of twelve Brethren from our Lodge to the Regular  Meeting of Ayrshire Bluebell Lodge No. 7 in  Girvan. Forty six Brethren in total attended the meeting and seven Candidates were admitted into the Order. Bro. Archie Chalmers, Worthy Secretary gave an excellent report on the workings of the Lodge over the last year. 

The Lodge membership stands at 56 and the bank balance is very healthy.

Interestingly, the ten members of Ayrshire Bluebell Lodge who live on Isle of Arran are interested in forming their own Lodge as travel to the mainland for meetings is difficult during the week. This may become a reality next year.

Archie Chalmers produced copies of a Ritual that Archie Hoey an original member of Heatherbell Lodge No. 18 in Greenock had used 50 years ago. The Ritual is most  interesting as it describes Free Gardeners Degrees which we know from reading the minute books of Cambuslang Philanthropic Lodge are of a ”Higher Order”.

 

Installation. Bro. William Boe, Worthy Master No. 7 reviewed his year as Master and thanked the Brethren of both Lodges for their support. He then proposed that Bro. Hugh Sanders, Depute   Master be elected as the new Worthy Master. This was agreed and Bro. Boe installed Bro. Sanders into the chair of the Lodge. He also installed a full complement of Office-bearers.

 

Summer 2006

Office Bearers of The Lodge 

  

Worthy Master Ronald McCarney

Depute Master Douglas Welsh

Secretary James L. Jack

Conductor Patrick Clarke

Assistant Conductor Walter Dunn

Guarder Scott Moore