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December 2003
Social Night R.W.M. Bro. Bob Edgar and his wife are organising a social night in the Lounge on Saturday 20th. December at 8pm. A buffet has been arranged - the Lodge Christmas Draw will also take place on this evening and there might even be a visit from Santa! Don`t miss it !
Great Effort. A Ladies Night organised by May Diamond, Anna Pew and Margaret Cochran was held in the Hall on Friday 24th. October to raise funds for CHAS. The ladies put in a lot of effort to make the evening a success and their efforts were rewarded by the event raising the fantastic total of £641. The organisers would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed especially those who donated prizes for the Bingo. The Ladies hope to hold another Fund Raising Night next year.
Weekly Draw Bro. Norrie Telfer reports that the Weekly Prize Draw has now been running for one year. The Fund Raiser has exceeded all expectations - the total raised so far is £6356 £3164 given as prize money and £3192 going towards Lodge Funds. A fantastic effort! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Visitation to Arran Arrangements are being made for the Deputation to Lodge St. Molios No. 774, Lamlash, Isle of Arran on Saturday 27th. March 2004. The price, which includes hotel accommodation on Saturday night, Saturday lunch and return bus and ferry fare is approx. £55. If you are interested in supporting this Deputation, contact Ronnie McCarney, P.M.
Did you know? What? I can almost hear you say! That next year, 2004 is the 80th. Anniversary of the building of our Temple in Uddingston. Bro. Bob Edgar, R.W.M. has indicated that as this will be an important year in the history of the Lodge we should mark the occasion by carrying out a major project in the Temple. Bro. Bill Hall, P.M. has carried out a survey of the building and with the exception of a few minor repairs is generally happy with the condition. The R.W.M. has suggested that we carry out a major refurbishment of the Lounge, foyer and corridor areas of the Temple. This would be a project that we could undertake during the summer months. The wallpaper on the walls would be required to be stripped back to the plaster and it may be that we could undertake works in the Bar before new paint and wallpaper were applied. The only thing that could stop this project is a lack of enthusiasm by us. There is no point in starting if only a small number of people get involved and the others look on. We will be talking about this project in the months to come and we must have a commitment from a number of Brethren before we start. Do you remember the last time we carried out this work? Who was involved and the great way that the Lodge seemed to come together with a common aim - get it finished by September!
Freemasonry in Inverclyde An important exhibition in McLean Museum 15 Kelly St., Greenock Mon. 8th. Dec. 2003 to Sat.14th. Feb. 2004 10am to 5pm. Interested in going? contact Jim Jack, P.M.
November 2003 The Editor will be on holiday during the later half of October and this would make it very difficult to print the usual Right Angle. However during his holiday Bro. Jim Jack, P.M. is presenting a Paper in Unity Lodge No. 146 in Virginia and as many Brethren have asked for a copy, we thought that it would be a good idea to print the Paper in full. Hope you enjoy the read.
Office Bearers 2003 - 4 At the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 8th. October 2003 the following
R.W.M. Robert Edgar W.S.W. Alex Hamilton, P.M. W.J.W. Robert Abercrombie Sec. Andrew McAlpine, P.M. Treas. James L. Jack, P.M. Alm. Pat Clarke, P.M. D.of C. James Vasey, P.M. S.D. Duncan Mulholland J.D. Charles Sharman I.G. David Shaw Chap. B.B. Bal Sharma Arch. John Robertson Jellr. Nirmal Bhopal Marsh.John G. Brown D.of M. Andrew Jack Org. Stuart Jack S.Stw. Ronald McCarney, P.M. J. Stw. Tyler Bruce Reidford, P.M. The Offices of Chaplain and Junior Steward remain vacant at this
A.G.M. Bro. Bruce Reidford, P.M. gave what can only be described as an excellent financial report considering the financial position of the Lodge last year. The turn round in the finances of the Lodge have been tremendous and everyone who has contributed in any way must take pride in what has been achieved. However we must not be complacent, but continue to work together to maintain this success. Well done.
Twenty's Plenty: Last year the total collected in 20p`s was £2065. So far this year Well done,Keep the good work going !
Smartie tubes are available from behind the Bar or from the Secretary`s desk at Regular Meetings.
October 2003
Regular Meeting The
Regular Meeting of the Lodge held on Wednesday 10th. September was
indeed a special occasion. Two Candidates Bros. Andrew & Stuart Jack
received their F.C. Degrees at the hands of their late Grandfathers Lodge St.
Enoch No. 1288. The
Degree had a distinct Boys Brigade theme throughout the ceremonial as all Degree
workers were ex Officers of 1st. Viewpark Company B.B. (with the
exception of Bro. David Greenshields – 1st. Thorniewood Scouts). The meeting was attended by three visitors from Canada; Bros. Bob Young, P.D.D.G.M., Don Martin & George Brownhill who had visited our Lodge about three years ago.
Honorary Member.
Distinguished
Service Membership.
Degree. An
excellent M.M. degree was conducted by the R.W.M. and Office Bearers of Lodge
St. Kentigern No. 429. The highlight of the evening was when Bro. James L. Jack,
P.M. was given the opportunity to present two Lodge St. Bryde aprons which had
belonged to his father and grandfather to his twin sons. The newly made M.M.`s were now proud wearers of their grandfather and great grandfather’s aprons.
Annual
General Meeting 2003. The
Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 8th. October. Members
will remember last years A.G.M. and the stark decisions that our Lodge was faced
with if we were to survive. Indications are that the turn round in the Lodge
finances have been satisfactory and that the year end 31st. May 2003 report by
Bro. Bruce Reidford will highlight areas of Fund Raising which have been a
tremendous effort by all those dedicated members who have helped to maintain
their Lodge in its present form. However,
another problem exists that could mean a quicker end to our Lodge that anyone
ever imagined. Lack of Office Bearers. Last
year we had only eleven nominations (seven of which were Past Masters) for
the Elected Offices. At the A.G.M. the point was raised that these eleven
members could not be expected to maintain a Lodge of our standing. Their
number was added to at the A.G.M. by Brethren who had a genuine concern
for the future of our Lodge. The Elected Office Bearers have supported the R.W.M.
at Regular Meetings and Deputations throughout the year. We need to maintain and
build on this commitment this year. It
would be tragic, if having turned round the near financial disaster that our
Lodge faced last year, we failed because of lack of interest in Brethren taking
Office. The more Brethren who are willing to take Office the easier it is for
all our Members who truly have the interest of Lodge St. Bryde at heart. To wear
Regalia with the number 579 embroidered in gold is a clear message to all other
Masons that you are proud of your Mother Lodge and not afraid to be identified
with it. Will
you step forward at the Installation on 27th November 2003 and proudly wear
the numbers 579 close to your heart, or will you sit and watch while your
friends and Brothers struggle ? Let
Others Do It.
Some members keep their Lodges
strong,
While others join and just belong;
Some dig right in, some serve with
pride,
Some go along, just for the ride
Some volunteer to do their share,
While some lay back and just don`t
care;
While there are those who never go,
Some always pay their dues ahead,
Some get behind for months, instead,
Some do their best, some build, some
make,
Some never give, but always take,
Some drag, some pull, some don`t,
some do
CONSIDER, which one of these are you?
Bob Edgar, W.S.W. Deaths Daniel
D. Wardrop Bro.
Danny Wardrop joined the Lodge on 9th. October 1963 at the age of 46. He worked
for many years as a Foreman Sheet Metal Worker and lived in the village of
Carmyle. Danny was well respected by the Members of Lodge St. Bryde and will be
sadly missed by all who knew him. Mrs. Fay Hamilton. Mrs. Hamilton died in August after a short illness. She was the wife of our late Bro. Alex Hamilton (Senior), Past Master and the mother of Alex Hamilton, Past Master, Chaplain. She supported the Lodge faithfully for many years and loved to attend the annual Burns Supper. She had great faith and attended Park Church where she was one of the longest serving members on the Roll. Congratulations.
Friday
19th. of September 2003 was indeed a date to remember. Two members of Lodge St.
Bryde No. 579, Bro. Pat Clarke, P.M. and Bro. William E. Orr, P.M. were admitted
into Lanarkshire Sovereign Chapter of Princes Rose Croix No. 172 in Hamilton.
Both Brethren are hard working Freemasons and are well worthy of their
"promotion" to the 18th. Degree. Lodge
Robert Burns No. 440 Lodge
Robert Burns No. 440 will hold their Annual Divine Service on Sunday 12th.
October 2003 at 6 for 6.30 pm. in The Masonic Temple Baillieston. The Service
will be conducted by Bro. Rev. Peter O. Price, Provincial Senior Grand Chaplain.
The Right Worshipful Master and Brethren of Lodge Robert Burns extend to all our members a warm welcome to attend.
Sept 2003
New Members Andrew James Jack Stuart John Jack The Right Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Lodge are delighted to welcome Andrew Jack and his twin Brother Stuart Jack as new Members of the Lodge. Andrew and Stuart are both eighteen and work as Apprentice Electricians with local companies. They were Initiated on 28th. May 2003 by Bro. William E. Orr and a Team of Past Masters. Andrew was proposed by Andrew Nisbet, P.M. and Seconded by William Orr, P.M.. Stuart was proposed by David Dawson, P.M. and Seconded by Alex Hamilton, P.M. Both continue a great family tradition in Lodge St. Bryde No. 579 and they are thefourth generation of their Family to be Members.
May Past Masters Degree. The Regular Meeting of the Lodge on Wednesday 28th. May was indeed a night to remember. Bro. William E. Orr, P.M. headed a Degree Team of Lodge Past Masters into the Lodge to confer the E.A. Degree on two Candidates. Other members were Past Masters, Ronnie McCarney (receiving), James L. Jack, (Obligation), Pat Clarke, (Signs & Secrets), Jim Vasey, (tools), Alex Hamilton, (Charge) ,Andrew McAlpine(Mode & manner) Senior Deacon, Scott Moore, Junior Deacon, Andrew Nisbet, Senior Warden, David Dawson, Junior Warden. The Degree was carried out in the tradition of Lodge St. Bryde without the prompter being required. The attendance at the meeting was 97 and many Brethren had travelled long journeys to support the Past Masters. Bro. Andrew Nisbet, P.M. passed the honour of investing the aprons to the Candidates father Bro. James L. Jack, P.M. who in turn invited Bro. Andrew Jack (head of the Jack family) and Bro. John Todd (the candidates Grandfather) to carry out the pleasant duty. At the conclusion Bro. Alasdair Dunlop, R.W.M. asked Bro. George R. Kelly, Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master to comment on the Degree work and Bro. William E. Orr, P.M. made suitable reply. Bro. Josh Gaffin of Shakespeare Lodge No. 750, New York attended the Lodge for the first time, he was a distant relative of our well remembered Bro. Ben Clarkson (Tyler) and was delighted that the Brethren took time to point Ben out in the various photos which adorn the Committee Room. At the conclusion of the meeting an excellent meal was served up by Bros. Bruce Reidford, David Greenshields and David Curtis.
Congratulations. At the last Regular Meeting before the recess the Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Alasdair Dunlop called on Bro. Jim Vasey, P.M. acting Director of Ceremonies to present Bro. William Moore for the presentation of his 50 year service Diploma. Bro. Andrew McAlpine, P.M. Secretary gave a resume of Bro. Moore`s association with the Lodge, stating that he was Initiated at the age of 36 on 30th. January 1952. His Proposer was Bro. Hugh Atkinson, P.M. and Seconder Bro. Jim Pollock, P.M.
Sportsmans Dinner. The Sportsmans Dinner held on Friday 16th. May was a great success. The event which was organised by Bro. Pat Clarke, P.M. raised the fantastic sum of £2,147 for Lodge Funds. Bro. Pat had organised the Dinner and both speakers for the evening, Willie Henderson (ex Rangers player) and Bill McMurdo (Football agent) the whole evening went extremely well and the top items at the auction were two hospitality tickets for a home match at Ibrox and a signed 2002 Cup Winners football strip. Our thanks to Bro. Pat and all those who helped make this evening such a success. HOMEPAGE MILESTONE. The Lodge St. Bryde Homepage which was launched in June 1998 has just past the milestone figure of 5,000 visitors since the launch. That is an incredible average of 1,000 visits per year. Our thanks are extended to Bro. David R. Dawson, P.M. who along with Bro. Jim Jack, P.M. set up the original Homepage. David has worked long hours developing in expanding the site which is regarded by many as one of the finest in the country. The prompt updating the Homepage gives a valuable window into our Lodge activities and many of our members overseas are both thankful and supportive of the work of Bro. David Dawson. (As at 8th August it stood at 5,330) Webmaster Mother Kilwinning No. 0 Visit. Seventeen Brethren from various Lodges attended a meeting of Lodge Mother Kilwinning No. 0 on Tues. 10th. June. The visit was organised by Bro. Andrew McAlpine, P.M, Sec. as part of the Lodge Education Committee Programme. It was a home game for Bro. Hugh Sanders our 579 member who lives in Kilwinning. He attends MK0 regularly and he was delighted to be with the Brethren from his Mother Lodge at this meeting. The Brethren pictured are with the Right Worshipful Master of Mother Kilwinning, Bro. Iain Garrett. The Mother Lodge worked an excellent Fellow Craft Degree and at the conclusion of the meeting our Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Alasdair Dunlop exchanged the fraternal greetings of Lodge St. Bryde No. 579. The next outing of the Education Committee will be to Rosslyn Chapel later in the year. We hope to arrange for our good friend Bro. Jim Munro, P.M. No. 606 to present his lecture. Rev. Peter O. Price The article by Rev. Peter O. Price in the May issue of The Right Angle has received great acclaim by Brethren of the Craft and non members alike. The article was reproduced on the 579 Homepage and Lodges from around the country have reprinted it in their own magazines. The article has also come to the attention of the Grand Lodge Publications Committee and may be included in the Grand Lodge Year Book.
Praise Indeed . . . this what it's all about . . Extract from Letter from Bro Josh Gaffin to David Dawson PM 579 "Thank you. Dear Bro. David, A very long overdue thank you for a wonderful time I had at St. Bryde`s on 28th. May. It was one of the nicest experiences I`ve ever had. It was brilliant to meet so many wonderful new people and to witness a terrific E.A. Degree. I must have been awake until 4am that night telling my mum in law about the people I met. She pretty much knew every single person I told her about! An example is when I told her that I was sitting next to someone called Norrie, she said "Och, Norrie I know him for years.." She knows the Jack family quite well and told me lots about Charlie Mulholland. My wife and he sister were really touched when I told them all the nice things the brethren said about their grandad, Ben. I especially liked seeing all the photographs of him that the Lodge has. Can you believe that I got lost getting back to my mum in laws house after the meeting? This despite the fact that she only lives a hundred feet away. I rang my mum in law on my mobile and told where I was and she shrieked "How did you manage that". Every Clarkson is STILL teasing me about this. Would it be possible for me to Affiliate to Lodge St. Bryde? I may be able to attend one meeting a year, but it would mean a lot to me because of my family connection to the Lodge. Please pass on my regards to the Master and officers of Lodge St. Bryde and thank everyone for making me so welcome. Bro. Josh Gaffin, Shakespeare Lodge, New York."
Work Party News. The Lodge work party was extremely busy during the summer recess. The Lodge gardens and grounds were tidied up, electrical light fittings were replaced as well as light switches in various parts of the Temple. The Committee Room floor was refurbished by Bro. Andrew Reidford (senior) and the carpet in the Ladies toilet was replaced and new carpet tiles put down. Congratulations. The R.W.M. and Members of the Lodge would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ronnie and Betty McCarney who celebrated their Ruby wedding on Saturday, 9th. August. The couple have been tremendous supporters of the Lodge over many years and we all wish them well in the future. STANDING ORDER SCHEME In March the Lodge launched our Members Standing Order Scheme as a result some members have decided to contribute to Lodge Funds by this method. The scheme works as any other standing order, firstly by filling in the special form which is available from the Lodge Secretary or which can be found in previous copies of The Right Angle. Then returning the Form to your Bank and the Lodge will receive a regular transaction paid directly into the Lodge account. If you would like more information speak in confidence to the Lodge Secretary or Treasurer.
May 2003
Visit
to Lodge Fingal No. 318. The
Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Alasdair Dunlop headed a large Deputation from our
own Lodge accompanied by Brethren from our Sister Lodges to Dingwall on Saturday
5th. April. The party numbered around 56 and arrangements had been made to stop
over at the Masonic Club in Inverness for lunch. The arrangements were excellent
and our thanks to Bro. Ronnie McCarney, P.M. who organised the trip. The
visit was the first by our Lodge to Lodge Fingal No. 318 and the Degree Team
under the direction of Bro. Jim Vasey, R.W.M.M. worked an excellent Mark Degree
which was of the highest standard and was indeed
a credit to our Lodge. Lodge
Work Party The
Lodge work party will be active as ever during the summer months. R.W.M.
Alasdair Dunlop has asked for support to ensure that the fabric of our Temple is
kept to a high standard. The programme for this year will include the usual
garden and surrounding area clear up, repairs to tables and chairs, a ruthless
clear out of the attic and dunny. New lights will also be fitted in the kitchen.
All Brethren are welcome to help with the work - please come on a Wednesday at
7.30 p.m.
Grand
Lodge Year Book 2003. Bro.
Alex Hamilton is co-ordinating the sale of the Grand Lodge 2003 Year Book. The
Year Book is a wealth of information on all Lodges under the Scottish
Constitution and gives dates and places where Lodges meet. It also carries a
who`s who of Grand Lodge Office Bearers and Committee Members. At
£10 per copy it is well worth the cost as there are also many interesting
articles on Masonic Topics. If you would like to order a copy - contact Alex Hamilton, P.M. for details.
Free
Gardeners Lecture. At
the Regular Meeting of Lodge St. Bryde No. 579 on 23rd. April, Bro. Jim Jack,
P.M. presented an interesting Powerpoint lecture on the Order of Free Gardeners.
Bro. Jack covered the origins of the Order from Haddington in 1676 to its
decline in the 1950`s to the present revival. A display of items which had been
donated to the local Lodge, Adelphi Bluebell No.4 was on display including a
magnificent banner from the Vale of Carstairs Lodge No. 79. The subject
obviously caught the imagination of the Brethren present for at the conclusion
of the meeting an interesting question and answer session lasted well over half
an hour. Information on Adelphi Bluebell Lodge No. 4 can be found on the Lodge
St. Bryde Homepage. The
next meeting of No. 4 will be held on Thursday 29th. May at 7.30pm. in the
Masonic Temple, Baillieston. Other
Lodge St. Bryde News. Standing
Order Scheme. Following on from the successful direct appeal, Many Members have
been asking if there is a way that they can directly contribute to Lodge Funds
from their own accounts. In March we launched our Members Standing Order Scheme.
The scheme works as a normal standing order, the Form in the centre of this
issue is completed (see example page 12) by filling in all the spaces where
xxxxxx appears and printing your name in the reference space. The Form is then
sent to your Bank and the Lodge will receive a regular transaction directly into
its Funds. Printing your name in the reference space means that your transaction
with your name against it will appear on the monthly bank statement. This
will be completely confidential and every transaction for whatever the monthly
amount is very important to the future of our Lodge. A regular update will be
printed in The Right Angle giving the total monthly transaction and the running
total since the Members Standing Order Scheme started. Please
consider this scheme - see the example opposite and fill in the Form in
the centre of this issue. Fantastic
Effort. So far the Fund Raising has been truly fantastic, in the last year
everyone in the Lodge has worked extremely hard to turn round the very difficult
financial position that the Lodge had found itself in. Bro. Bruce Reidford, P.M.
gave an updated financial report at the Regular Meeting on 23rd. April. We have
since the end of the last financial year recovered from the £4,000 overdraft to
a favourable position of £6,000 - an astonishing turnaround of £10,000. Our
thanks go out to all those who made donations which were increased by £4,100
over last year. Collections were up £1,300 mainly due to the Twenty`s Plenty
Fund Raiser, but the 50/50 Club organised by Norrie Telfer has really been a
welcome new source of income. Norrie has worked extremely hard to make this
venture a success and our thanks to him for his efforts. Bruce`s
message was that we must still work together to maintain our fund raising as the
underlying problem of regular new income has not been resolved. We can solve
this problem by using the Standing Order Scheme (see above).
Past
Master Profile. Jim Vasey,
P.M. At the 23rd. April meeting Bro. Jim Vasey, P.M. was presented with Honorary Life Membership by Bro. Alasdair Dunlop, R.W.M. This award for paying twenty one consecutive years Test Fees was well deserved Bro.
James Vasey was Initiated on 10th. February 1982 by Bro. Ronnie McCarney, J.D.
He took a part in Degree work for the first time on 12th. May 1982 and was
Installed into his first Office in November of that year as 4th. Steward. He
continued his Masonic education through ritual work and by giving his first
Masonic Lecture in March 1984. He
served the Lodge well in eight different Offices prior to being Installed as
R.W.M. on the 1st. December 1990 by his Installing Masters Bro. James L. Jack,
P.M. and Alex Hamilton, P.M. After completing his year as I.P.M. he proved to be
an excellent Director of Ceremonies for nine of the next ten years, the
exception being the year 1995 when he was Depute Master - the Office he
currently holds. Further
to that, for the past ten years he has also been our R.W.M.M. and I feel sure he
remembers the Centenary Mark Degree on the 26th. March 1993 as he does the
recent Mark Degree in Dingwall. Behind the scenes he is willing worker - by
regularly staffing the Bar, running the 579 Draw and by being Bar Auditor over a
number of years - and by his good contributions within the various committees he
has served on. Through his
tremendous ability and knowledge as a Degree worker he has been called upon to
be an Installing Master at six of the last ten Installations, and as a fairly
frequent Masonic Lecturer, who better is there to be the first Chairman of the
Lodge Masonic Education Committee.
Deaths
April 2003
April 2003 Congratulations 1. 50 Years Membership Certificate. Hendrick Adriaan van Dalen. Henk, as he liked to be called, was Initiated into the Lodge on the 21st. January 1953, the first native of Holland to do so we believe. At the time of his Initiation he lived and worked in Motherwell as a Steelworker with Colvilles. He met and married the sister of the late Bro. Tom Heggison P.M. of Lodge Hamilton No. 233 and later on they moved to England where Henk continued his interest in Freemasonry. So much so that he Affiliated to the St. John`s Lodge No. 2825 in Blackpool and became not only Master of that Lodge in 1982 but a respected Past Master and holder of Honorary Provincial Grand Rank within the Province of West Lancashire. He also became well known to Freemasons in our Province through the inter visitations between Lodge Hamilton and St. John`s Lodge and took the opportunity of visiting his Mother Lodge of which he is extremely proud, on the occasions of his visits to Hamilton. Henk is a retired Hotel proprietor now living in Cleveleys.
Congratulations 2. 50 Years Membership Certificate. William Wilkinson Closs B.E.M. Bill was Initiated into the Lodge on the 22nd. of October 1952 when he was a 24 year old Joiner living in Crofthead St., Uddingston where there had been family connections for many years. His grandfather William also lived in that street when he joined the Lodge in 1916 and he also was a great supporter of the Lodge, serving as a watchman on the building site of the present Masonic Hall in 1924. The one regret that Bill has is that his father, who had applied to join, died before he could be Initiated. Bill is a well known and much respected character within the community through his many diverse interests such as the Boys Brigade, playing and then refereeing at football, swimming and life saving, and other important community interests. Indeed he has received one of the highest awards within the West of Scotland Life Saving Society and was highly honoured with the award of the British Empire Medal. Twenty`s Plenty (the first year) FANTASTIC ! is the only way to describe the response to the Twenty`s Plenty fund raiser which was launched in February 2002. The original target of £1,000 in a calendar year - seemed a bridge too far in some peoples eyes, but with the proper publicity and encouragement the response of the Brethren (and Ladies) who took part has surpassed all expectations. The figure at the end of February 2003 was £2,065.01p which was just over double the original target figure. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC ! The Lodge Committee decided that the Twenty`s Plenty campaign should continue, so look out for those 20p`s don`t let them go, capture them and put them in a Smartie tube. Oh, in case your wondering how we managed to get a one pence in the total. Well, George Kelly, Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master`s Grandson was helping her Gran looking for 20p`s and just made a wee mistake. Members Standing Order Scheme. This scheme was launched in the last issue of The Right Angle at the request of some Members who thought that it would be a good way for them to contribute to Lodge Funds. As decided at a Regular meeting of the Lodge, the scheme will be publicised in this issue and also the May issue of The Right Angle this will give Members the opportunity to fill in the Standing Order Form and return it to the Bank before the new Financial year starts on 1st. June. We hope that this will be a success and that regular income will be paid directly into the Lodge account. The Form appears in the middle of this month’s issue of the Right Angle and an explanation of how to fill it in is also printed in that issue.
Other Income. After a reshuffle of our present Hall Lets, we can now announce the following changes, which were agreed at the February 19th. meeting of the Lodge. The Gateway Club will move from Thursday nights to first & Third Wednesdays which frees up Thursdays for possible Hall Lets. Slimming World started their Tuesday sessions on 4th. March. The Royal Arch Chapter will move their meeting from a Monday to the third Friday (provisional). This means that Monday nights are available for Hall Lets and we are actively pursuing this. Tuesdays, Wednesday & Thursdays are all taken and Friday & Saturdays are available for Lets. New Till. The new till is now available and we should see the benefit from this soon. Ronnie McCarney, Bar Convenor will administer its use and Bruce Reidford has calculated that we may increase our Bar income by 10%. The Ad Hoc Committee has been working hard behind the scenes trying to realign the Hall Lets so as to maximise the use of the Hall. The feeling of the Committee is that there is a genuine will to turn round the Lodge finances and set us on a more secure footing, but to do this we need your help! Distinguished Service Membership
March 2003 Lodge St. Bryde News.
Fund
Raising news. The Fund Raising
effort since the A.G.M. announcement that the Lodge was in serious financial
difficulties has been absolutely tremendous. The appeal for direct donations
from Lodge members has been very well supported and combined with the 50/50
Weekly Draw organised by Norrie Telfer has taken Lodge Funds into the black for
the first time in many months and we are now in a position to repay the loan. But at the Regular meeting of the Lodge on 12th. February a letter was read which offered the sum on loan to be secured in a Trust for the benefit of the fabric of the Temple. This is indeed a very generous The
Twenty`s Plenty campaign which was started in February 2002 has exceeded all
expectations and the figure after exactly one year is
well over the £1,000 target. A
fantastic effort by everyone. But the troubles are not over, we need a regular
source of income as the Bar can now no longer support the whole expenditure of
the Lodge. The small Committee of Bruce Reidford, Jim Vasey & Jim Jack elected by the Lodge to look at the various options have been
hard at work and the seeds of their labours are beginning bear fruit. We are
presently speaking to the
organisations which use our premises with a view to rescheduling the meeting
nights thus making available other nights for Hall Lets. A full update on this will be given at the Regular meeting of the Lodge on 23rd. April. Meanwhile we launch a Standing Order scheme for our Members .
Standing Order Scheme. Following
on from the successful direct appeal, Many Members have been asking if there is
a way that they can directly contribute to Lodge Funds from their own accounts.
This month we launch our Members Standing Order Scheme. The scheme works as a
normal standing This
will be completely confidential and every transaction for whatever the monthly
amount is very important to the future of our Lodge. A
regular update will be printed in The Right Angle giving the total monthly
transaction and the running total since the Members Standing Order Scheme
started. Please consider this scheme and fill in the Form in the centre of the
March issue of the RIGHT ANGLE. We
must work together to ensure the future of our Lodge and Temple. Education
Committee. Following
on from the successful first Committee Meeting we have now arranged another
evening of Masonic Education in the Masonic Temple at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19th.
March. The evening will close at 9pm. Lodge
Office Bearers who wish to go over their opening/closing or wish an opportunity
to discuss their mode and manner take this chance and attend. Degree workers who wish to have run through their part are
especially welcome. 50/50
Draw. The Weekly Draw organised by Norrie Telfer has been a tremendous success. So far (22/2/03) the total collected is £2176, which means that the Lodge has received £1095 and £1081 has been given Bro.
Alan Donohoe, W.J.W. of Lodge Hamilton No. 233 and a M.M. of Lodge St. Bryde
raffled a bottle of whisky recently at a 233 meeting and raised £70. He
attended the Regular Meeting of his Mother Lodge on
26th. February with a number of 233 Brethren and presented the proceeds to the
Lodge - well done Alan!
February 2003 Good News ! At the Regular Meeting of the Lodge held on 8th. January Bro. Bruce Reidford gave a report on the financial position of the Lodge to date. The report was GOOD NEWS, a tremendous effort by the Brethren of the Lodge in supporting the direct donation appeal, the 50/50 club set up by Norrie Telfer and the Twenty`s Plenty appeal means that the overdraft has been cleared and we are in a position to repay the £6K loan. However, although this is big step in the right direction and it has involved a great deal of effort by the Brethren of the Lodge we are not yet out of the woods ! Bro. Bruce explained that the monthly income over expenditure has still a shortfall by around £200 per month. This figure has to be found from new sources as the income from the Bar will not support this shortfall. A great effort is being made to attract regular Hall Lets and at the Regular meeting on 22nd. January a let was approved from Slimming World to use our Hall every Tuesday evening, we hope that this venture will be a success and that other organisations can be found to increase the use of our premises which at present are 70% under utilised every month. The £6K loan which was greatfully received at a time when the Lodge was in serious financial difficulty has been set aside by the Brother who granted it. The Ad Hoc Committee are in discussions with the Brother`s representatives and he will write to the Lodge soon regarding this matter. It is vital for the future of our Lodge that we support the various Fund Raising activities which are doing so well at present. Keep up the good work, remember we are a Lodge, not a group of individuals - together we can turn our financial position around.
Reports. At the 8th. January meeting Bro. Jim Jack, P.M. gave a Powerpoint lecture on a visit to the Masonic Exhibition which was held in Tours, France. The lecture was well received by the Brethren and contained slides of various aspects of the exhibition including, Darkness to Light, The Apron Room, Swedish Rite, Grand Lodge of Scotland, Famous Freemasons and Higher Orders Bro. George R. Kelly, Immediate Provincial Grand Master and member of the Grand Lodge Education Committee gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the Brethren. He gave a short presentation on the work of the Education Committee and a proposed Training programme which would benefit future Lodge Office Bearers. This was of great interest to the Brethren as there appeared to be a need to identify areas which some Brethren lacked experience. Bro. George hoped that copies of the programme could be made available to those who were interested after Grand Committee approved his work.
Lodge Roll. Just before the recess last year the Lodge Secretary and Treasurer were discussing the Lodge Roll book. The Roll which is the original and is signed by everyone who has joined our Lodge since 1876 was rebound in 1980 and is still in a good state of repair. However the fear was that if the Roll was lost or damaged then the history of Membership would be lost. Bro. Jim Jack, P.M. undertook the task of transferring the information about each member on to a computer database. The data base contains, the name, occupation, age, address (on joining), date of Initiation, Passing & Raising for all 2,536 members covering from 1876 to 2002. The beauty of the database is that the Roll can be configured in alphabetical order making finding details of a member an easy task it can also be updated as new members are Initiated. The task was completed on 12th. January 2003, seven long months after the idea was first discussed. A copy of the Alphabetical Roll was presented at the 22nd. January meeting and was well received by the Brethren. The interest was such that it was decided that bound copies (47 pages) would be sold in aid of Lodge Funds at £10 per copy. These will be in very limited supply and are available from Bro. Andrew McAlpine, Secretary from 12th. February.
Reporter. Bro. Jim Vasey, P.M. has taken up the position of Lodge Reporter. It is the intention of the Lodge to report on our Meetings and Social events in the Hamilton Advertiser, under the Uddingston local news to raise the profile of not only the Lodge but also our Temple. Give him your support and lookout for our bit !
January 2003 Fund Raising. The Fund Raising efforts of the Brethren continue to gain strength. The Christmas Draw which took place on Fri. 20th. Dec. raised the sum of £566 for Lodge Funds. Our hanks go to all who helped in making this a success. 50/50 Club. The weekly draw organised by Norrie Telfer has been a tremendous success and so far has raised £611 for the Lodge with a similar amount being paid out in prize money in eight weeks! The draw needs your support to maintain its initial success, so make it easy for Norrie by contacting him for tickets. Twenty`s Plenty. This Fund Raiser has exceeded all expectations. With a target set at £1,000 for the calendar year the total passed £1,700 at the first meeting in December - with still two months to go ! The decision will be made at the end of February whether to continue with the campaign or to stop at the end of February as planned. Saturday Night. Traditionally, the Lodge meet Socially on the Saturday before Christmas and in past years a Christmas Dance has been held. Members and Ladies continued this tradition on Sat. 21st. December when a social was held in the Lounge. There was a visit from Santa and two old guys from Chewing the Fat, who upset the whole company by their antics. A raffle was held and £71 was donated to the Lodge. Our thanks to all who helped make this a great night.
New Lodge Token. Lodge St. Bryde No. 579 has issued another new Mark token. The token features the Lodge crest on the Obverse and a simple mallet & chisel on the Reverse. This Reverse style has never been issued by the Lodge before and only 100 have been struck. The finish is in old silver and really compliments the Lodge crest. The price is £3 each but can be purchased with a reissue of the previous token (triangle reverse) at £5 for both. Congratulations. Bro. Alasdair Dunlop, R.W.M. has been accepted as a member of The Civil War Lodge of Research No. 1865 Virginia, U.S.A. Brother Alasdair joins Bro. James L. Jack as two of the few C.W.R. Lodge members from Scotland. Bro. Jack has been invited to visit the Lodge in Virginia in October 2003 and present a Lecture. The Lodge researches Masonic connections and influences during the Civil War and produces a quarterly newssheet. "The merciful role of Freemasonry was to play during the bitter years of reconstruction started on the day Confederate General Robert E. Lee was forced to evacuate the trenches in front of Petersburg, Virginia. Union General Godfrey Weitzel, a Freemason, marched his troops into Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital and immediately eased the minds of the inhabitants. Major A.H. Stevens, Gen. Weitzel`s provost marshal, a member of Putnam`s Lodge in Massachusetts, placed Union soldiers about Mason`s Hall, the home of the Grand Lodge of Virginia (the oldest Masonic building in the country) to save it from looting and destruction by unruly mods. He even went further and used his men to protect the home of many Richmond Freemasons. "
Death. Andrew Bain Bro. Andrew died in December 2002 age 81. He was a Marine Engineer and lived in the Main Street before moving to Plymouth. Although he had not attended the Lodge for some time he is well remembered by those who knew him.
Installation Report. The Installation was held in the Temple on Saturday, 30th. November 2002. The Right Worshipful Master Elect. Bro. Alasdair Dunlop chose Bros. Andrew McAlpine P.M. ,Secretary and Bro. Alex Hamilton P.M., Chaplain as his Installing Masters. The assembled Brethren were treated to an excellent ceremonial with Andrew McAlpine carrying out the duties of installing the Master and Alex Hamilton installing the Office Bearers. The newly installed Wardens carried out their new Offices for the first time as if they had occupied the chairs for years. Bro. Alex Dick, Substitute Provincial Grand Master led a large Deputation which included our own members, Bros. James L. Jack, P.G. Secretary, William E. Orr, P.P.G. Jun. Chaplain and Ronnie McCarney, P.G. Tyler. The Harmony was one of the best in recent years and the quality of the artists was excellent. The highlight (without taking anything away from the others) was the Toast to the Visiting Brethren, proposed by Bro. Gerry Sharman, Junior Deacon. Gerry on his first visit to the Top Table in 27 years of Lodge Membership looked a bit nervous, but with the company hanging on to every word took it all in his stride and delivered a Toast straight from the heart. The following Office Bearers have been Installed into Office, R.W.M. Alasdair Dunlop, I.P.M. Andrew Reidford, D.M. James Vasey, S.M. Bal Sharma, W.S.W. Bob Edgar, W.J.W. Bob Abercrombie, Sec. Andrew McAlpine, Treas. James L. Jack, Alm. Pat Clarke, DoC. Gordon Reidford, S.D. Duncan Mulholland, J.D. Gerry Sharman, I.G. John Robertson, Chap. Alex Hamilton, B.B. Alan Plenderleith, Arch. Graham Brown, Jllr. Nirmal Bhopal, DoM John Robertson Org. David Shaw, Tyler Bruce Reidford.
Our R.W.M. Bro. Alasdair Dunlop on being Installed as the new Right Worshipful Master joins a select few Past Masters of the Lodge who have been Installed for a second term. The last Past Master to be Installed was Bro. David Paterson in 1942 (sixty years ago). He had first been Installed in 1925. The only other was Bro. James Muir, P.M. 1897 having been first Installed in 1890. Others served more than one year as Master but their service would be regarded as continuous, ie. George Stronach R.W.M.1900, 01 & 02.
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Copyright: Lodge St Bryde No 579 Revised: February 01, 2004 .
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The Regular Meeting
of Lodge St. Enoch No. 1288 held on Wednesday 5th. March will be marked in the
history of the Lodge as a special day. Bro. David Greenshields, Past Master was
presented with Distinguished Service Membership by the Members of the Lodge.
This was indeed a popular and well deserved honour. Davy was Installed as Right
Worshipful Master in 1968 and has served the Lodge faithfully for twenty five
years as Secretary. Bro. J. Stewart Wood, Depute Provincial Grand Master,
assisted by Bro. Hugh Simpson, Right Worshipful Master presented the
certificate. In reply Bro. Davy thanked all those who helped him over the years
and especially thanked his many friends from other Lodges who were in attendance
to wish him well.