TheRightAngle               579St Bryde      

The Right Angle is a monthly publication printed for the benefit of the Freemasonry in general and the Lodge in particular.

It comprises news, views, articles of interest to the masonic fraternity, an updated diary of events for the forthcoming months and last but not least - The Back Page. . . . . This is a more lighthearted look at topics from "not quite" the Right Angle!

It is available for uplift at the Lodge approximately 1 week before the beginning of the published month.

This publication is written, compiled, edited, printed and published by: James L. Jack, Provincial Grand Master, PM 579 

The Web Page version is designed, compiled & edited by: David R. Dawson PM 579

The Right Angle Review (March 2006).

The Right Angle has been with us since the 1970`s, in those days the magazine was years ahead of its time in terms of  communications. Lodge magazines were virtually unheard of but our Brethren had the foresight to explore this method of informing the members and communicating with other  interested Brethren. The magazine in this form was printed at the ex-servicemen's  workshops at Erskine Hospital and ran until logistics finally brought this excellent publication to an end.  The need to communicate with our members was carried on by Andrew McAlpine in the form of an A4 news sheet. 

Then in April 1995 the decision was taken in light of the Grand Lodge Ad Hoc Committee Report to try a pilot publication and gauge the response. The Publication was to available to the Members free of charge and at little or no cost to the Lodge. 40 copies of the first issue were printed and were devoured by our members,  including the now  famous Back Page, which was a deliberate attempt to loosen off the stays of the past and bring our members closer together by having a laugh at ourselves. By the end of the year, such was the demand, that 120 copies were now being printed. A new dimension was added - the internet. 

Again our Lodge was at the forefront and must have been one of the first in Scotland to have a Homepage. Bros. David Dawson and Jim Jack  had a vision of how this facility could benefit our Lodge. David Dawson spent many hours working on the format (these were the days before Homepage templates were readily available) and in September 1998 it was launched. 

The Right Angle was now available world wide. Such was its success that since that date we have had 23,000 visitors to our Homepage. This month marks the 100th. issue of the magazine in its present form. I have selected a few notes from back issues of The Right Angle, which I hope will bring back memories. I have also selected a few Back Page  stories, which I know will make you chuckle.   

Archie Barton was R.W.M. when the new Right Angle was published in  April 1995.  The 8 page first issue contained an article on Prince Hall Freemasonry, The Lodge Display Cabinet and a tribute to Bro. Capt. Robert Wolridge Gordon of Esslemont , Past Grand Master who died on 13th. January 1995. “he would always be remembered by the Brethren of our Lodge for the excellent manner in which he presided over the Lodge Rededication and Centenary celebrations in 1976”. The R.W.M. welcomed new Lodge members Robert Blackstock ,Gordon Reidford and Barry Hochfield. 

September 1995 The Right Angle reported that Bro. Jack Dorricott would not stand for a third term as P.G.M. Four Candidates, Alex Clezy, George Kelly, Jack Mathie and Donald Mathieson had intimated that they wished to stand for the Office.  An article on Lodge Bothwell Brig No. 1229,  1920 - 95 a history was the main feature. 

December 1995 was the first colour issue. The outer cover was printed in glossy paper and at the time we thought that changing the colour of script was wonderful. Some colour clip art and it looked quite nice. Bro. James L. Jack was unsuccessful in the Election to Grand Committee. 

1996 saw the start of a long run of “colour” issues. The outer cover was printed in a different colour of paper and this seemed to make them more attractive. These “colour” editions would run through to 2004, when the present full colour issues were presented. With these colour issues came a whole new chapter, The Back Page had a field day - Alasdair Dunlop, R.W.M. and Life President of The Open Country Touring Club ! (To his eternal credit Alasdair took all this with a smile) January 1996 Reported that Bro. George Kelly had been Elected as P.G.M. 

February 1996 reported that Jim Jack had missed being Elect to Grand Committee by one vote, however he had been co-opted on to Grand Committee due to a place becoming vacant. 

May 1996  George Kelly was Installed as P.G.M. by Lord Burton, Grand Master Mason. 

The Right Angle finished the year on a high with a record 180 copies issued Nov. 1996     

Dec. 1996. Grand Lodge recognised The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This historic decision paved the way for the recognition of other Grand Lodges of Prince Hall Masons. This Grand Lodge can trace its roots back to the African Lodge No. 459 under the Grand Lodge of England 9Moderns) which was Chartered in 1784. Their Master was Prince Hall, who along with 14 other coloured Free citizens were initiated in a Lodge attached to one of the British Regiments.  

Jan. 1997. Carried a feature on Lodge St. Enoch No. 1288 50th. Anniversary. This issue also for the first time had a full colour picture of Bro. Bruce Reidford, R.W.M. and the Office-bearers at the Installation.  

April 97. R.W.M. Bro. Bruce Reidford headed a Deputation to Lodge Seaforth No. 854, Fortrose. Bro. Maxwell McGhee our oldest member, who was Initiated into 579 in 1934! And now lives in Fortrose headed the Deputation into his adopted Lodge, Seaforth. Sadly, the Right Angle also reported that Bro. James Paterson, P.M. and Secretary of Lodge Robert Burns for 40 years had died. We also had a Summer Special 1997 issue which included quiz, crosswords and other items to keep our members busy during the recess. 

Sept. 1997. Announced the launch of the P.G.L. Millennium project - to replace the holiday caravan. Bro. George Kelly, P.G.M. hoped to raise £15,000 by the year 2000. 

Dec. 1997. Carried a feature on the Grand Lodge of Ireland and the discovery of a square in the foundations of Ball`s Bridge in Limerick which is inscribed “I will strive to live with Love & Care Upon ye Level By ye Square 1507”.   

Feb. 98. The Lodge was again Honoured as Bro. Ronnie McCarney was Elected as P.G. Tyler. 

April 98. The Lodge mourned the loss of Bro. Ian Pew, P.M., Distinguished  Service Member.  Bro. Ian had been a tower of strength for many years . “Only last December he became the first Member of the Lodge to feature in The Right Angle - Past Master Profile, an article which gave him great joy. I can still hear his words, “How did you find out that I was born in Edinburgh! “   

In May The Lodge visited Lodge St. Kilda No. 881 in Portree , Skye, retracing our footsteps of 20 years previous, which a young R.W.M. Bro. Andrew  McAlpine  led the first Deputation to the island. 

September 1998 saw the biggest development in The Right Angle - the arrival of The Lodge Homepage. I can remember speaking to Norman Carnegy No. 31 about the development of Homepages, and this is how the event was reported in The Right Angle, I phoned Davy Dawson and discussed the  possibility of a Homepage, “Davy, we need a Home page for the Lodge, this will be a global Right Angle, an information page that millions can visit. 

“Well, I've never done this before and I'll need information on how to go about it”. Some time later I can  remember getting a phone call to go round to his house and have a first look at the prototype. Up came the page - Welcome to the Lodge St. Bryde No. 579, Homepage. And a photo of a pair of purple trainers ! Sunday 14th. June 1998, 579 on line! “ - The  Eagle had Landed ! 

Feb.1999 The Right Angle reported the death of our oldest member, Bro. Maxwell McGhee who was Initiated in 1931. Also a Lodge 579 Petition Book was returned to the  Lodge . Covering the period 13th. Dec 1905 to 13th. Dec. 1916 and includes 270 Petitions !. 

In March Bro. Scott Moore, R.W.M. led a Deputation to Lodge Old Inverness St. John No. 6. With Bro. Lord Burton, Grand Master Mason in attendance the Lodge worked an excellent Degree. Who can forget the harmony and the G.M. singing The Star O Rabbie Burns. In the summer the new Provincial Grand Lodge Caravan was opened by Bro. George Kelly and his wife Anne. The Lodge celebrated it`s 75th. Anniversary with an open doors day. 

Dec. 1999 Bro.Andrew Martin, R.W.M. reported that Bro. William E. Orr had been awarded the Hon. Grand Rank of Junior Deacon. 

New Millennium. A Special last meeting of the Millennium was held and all those in attendance signed a special sheet which was placed in a time capsule and hidden in the Lodge.   

Oct. 2000 Marked the 50th. Issue and a special Article was written by Bro. Archie Orr Ewing, Grand Master Mason. Also reported that Stuart Jack (age 15) had run 10K round Strathclyde Park in 44 Min. 56 Sec. and raised £125 for the St. Andrew`s  Hospice Appeal. The Grand Master announced that £230,000 was the total that Grand Lodge raised for C.H.A.S. 

2001 Bro. Gordon Reidford, R.W.M. led the Lodge in it`s 125th. Anniversary Celebrations. April  issue carried an article on Free Gardeners  and from this grew an interest that grew into Adelphi Bluebell Lodge No.4. 

May 2002 saw the first modern style issue with colour digital photos. Oct. A.G.M. presented a bleak future for the Lodge. The financial situation was grim and a decision had to be made on whether the Lodge could continue to      function. 

Oct. 2003 Bro. Alasdair Dunlop, R.W.M. welcomed Bro. Wayne Price a Brother from Virginia into our Lodge. 

Feb. 2004 Bro. Robert Edgar , R.W.M. reported that Bro. James L. Jack, P.M. had been awarded the Honorary Grand Rank of Senior Deacon, he also highlighted the fact that our Lodge now had three holders of Grand Rank, Bros., Jack, Orr & McAlpine. This issue also marked a Centenary of membership of our Lodge by the Tunnock family. 

Oct. The Lodge celebrated the eightieth Anniversary of the building of our Temple. Bob Edgar, R.W.M. welcomed The Grand Master Mason to our Temple, 579 hosted The Grand Lodge Dinner.  

Nov. 2004 Bro. Alex Hamilton was Installed as R.W.M., sixteen years after his first Installation. 

Feb. 2005 saw the Right Angle printed in full colour throughout. This style is maintained to the present. 

Feb. 2006 R.W.M. Bobby Abercrombie reports to the Lodge that Bro. James L. Jack, P.M. has been confirmed by Grand Lodge as the new Provincial Grand Master of Lanarkshire (Middle Ward), his Installation will take place on Saturday 10th. June 2006.