HistoryChapter 10                        579St Bryde 

During the Centenary Year preliminary discussions took place in the Lodge with a view to installing central heating in the premises. Quotes were obtained from the Gas Board and the Electricity Board, but it was eventually decided that the heating should take second priority to the renewal of the building's roof. The estimate of £3,000 to replace the roof and repair the valley gutter was accepted and glass fibre insulation was also purchased for the loft. In fact this was just the beginning of a whole series of schemes, designed to improve the premises over the next few years. Wood panelling in the main hall was replaced at a cost of nearly £700, the lounge seating was renewed after an arrangement was reached with the brewers, and to complete the lounge, plaster work on the ceiling was replaced costing £500.

On 31st March 1978 a large deputation of Lodge Brethren visited Lodge St. Kilda No. 881 Skye, and conferred the M.M. Degree. The deputation headed by the R.W.M. Bro. A. McAlpine were treated to true highland hospitality by the Brethren of Lodge St.Kilda and to conclude the weekend long visit, the deputation attended the Lodge Divine Service before returning home.

Later that year the wife of our late Bro. Peter Smith, P.M., presented the Lodge with an apron to be used at installation meetings by the R.W.M. Elect. Bro. Smith PM and Provincial Senior Warden had been well respected both in our Lodge and throughout the Province. The apron was suitably embroidered by his daughter to his memory.

Early in 1979 Bros. J.L. Jack and J.F. Scott P.M. were appointed to look into all aspects of providing a suitable Masonic Library for the Lodge. The Library has since grown to include oven 100 Masonic books and has been an excellent source of reference for members of the Lodge.

In February of that year, our oldest member Bro. John Juror was present at the regular meeting and was invited by the R.W.M. to sign and date the Lodge Roll Book. The time difference from the original signing was an amazing 70 years.

The last duty of R.W.M. Bro. A. Nisbet, before vacating the chair on 29th November 1980 brought spontaneous applause from the Brethren present. In his report of the Grand Lodge Installation the R.W.M. intimated the appointment of Bro. J.F. Scott P.M. as Honorary Grand Bible Bearer. The honour which was only the second conferred by the Grand Master Mason on a member of Lodge St. Bryde was indeed well deserved and was received by the Brethren of the Lodge in an excellent manner.

In 1981 the Lodge discussed the recommendation by the Management Committee that the premises be completely rewired at a cost of £4,455 and that Gas central heating, costing £6,927 be installed throughout the building. A Bank Loan of £10,000 was negotiated with the Bank of Scotland and the remainder made up from Lodge Funds. An account was opened for Brethren who wished to donate to this cause and an agreement with the R.A. Chapter No. 170 and O.E.S. No. 54 was completed, the result of which was that the two organisations would pay In advance for a block lease of five years. The central heating, which was installed during the recess of 1981 has been most beneficial especially during the winter months and along with the new wiring will serve the Lodge for many years to come.

An indication of the changing world of values is clearly seen in a recent reassessment of the property for insurance purposes. The property is now valued at £250,000, a far cry from the £4,455 paid for the ground and the building in 1924.

On 23rd September 1981, Bro. Alex Hannah a M.M. of Lodge Bothwell Brig. No. 1229 had Honorary Membership conferred on him by the Brethren of the Lodge. Bro. Hannah, who had been willing to give his services to the Lodge over many years, was in fact only the 92nd honorary member in the history of the Lodge, and since the Second World War there have been only six

25.10.50:- Bro. D. Wallace, P.M. 1229

25.11.59:- Bro. J. Downie, P.M. 557

24.11.65:- Bro. J. Muncie, M.M. 187

8.11.72:- Bro. W. Jamieson, R.W.M. 1229

26.12.73:- Bro. D. Murie, M.M. 203

23.9.81:- Bro. A. Hannah, M.M. 1229

Their names are placed on the Lodge Roll with other notable Honorary Members, such as, Lord Belhaven and Stenton, Robert King Stewart and Capt. J. Cristie Stewart, all Past Grand Master Masons.

One of the highlights of 1982 was the visitation to Lodge Heaton Moor No. 4530 Stockport, England. This large deputation which was headed by the R.W.M. Bro. G. Mason was the first by the Lodge to a sister constitution. The visit was a huge success and Lodge Heaton Moor's hospitality was of the finest order.

During the recess of 1983 the Lodge work party (headed by R.W.M. Bro. A. Mason) completed the kitchen renovations, started the previous year.

The Brethren also painted the Main Hail in preparation for the celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the building of the Masonic Halls in 1924.

THE END. . .or merely the beginning of another Great Chapter . . . time will tell.