March Meeting 

At the Meeting on 31st. March 2004 a Deputation from Ayrshire Bluebell No. 7 headed by Bro. Robert Laird, W.M. was received into the Lodge. Bro. James Jack, W.M. reported on a Free Gardeners lecture given to Masonic Lodge Darvel No. 971 in Ayrshire. 

The lecture was well received and at the conclusion of a question and answer session, the Lodge presented No.4 with a Free Gardeners banner from Lily of the Valley Lodge No. 121, British Order of Free Gardeners. No.45.

Bro. Archie Chalmers, Secretary of No 7 reported that a former Free Gardeners meeting place had been discovered in the attic of a cottage in Joppa, Ayrshire. The contents of a large box were lost to a skip, but 3 aprons and a Lodge banner from Joppa Thistle Lodge No. 45, Western Grand Lodge were saved. 

Joppa is a small village near Coylton and not the village of the same name on the East coast of Scotland. 

New Members. Six new members were admitted at the meeting on 31st. March.

(see photo above) Charles Richmond, Douglas Welsh, Arthur Burns, William Craig, Alex Hamilton, and James Vasey all received the three Degrees and their Diplomas were presented by Bro. Bill Perry, Secretary. 

Brethren, I am delighted to report that our Lodge continues to grow from strength to strength. We have 40 members and are financially secure. Interest in the Order continues and we  have 26 completed Application Forms pending. 

Our Sister Lodge, Ayrshire Bluebell No. 7 has held a very successful first meeting and we in ABL No.4 will give them our full support. Cheshire Bluebell Lodge is scheduled to have its first meeting in October and it would be great if we could take a Deputation to England