Well, come October, all Lodges will have begun the second half of the Masonic season and, good to say, I've already enjoyed several visits to Lodges in the Province.
As for 482, we've already had our AGM and last Wednesday had a 1st Degree that included an impromptu deputation from Lodge Hopetoun St. John 1232, headed by their Right Worshipful Master Bro. Hugh Paterson. Bro. Hugh is of course a Master Mason of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland. Thanks again Brethren for coming along in such numbers. It was greatly appreciated by everyone at 482, as was every visitor who came along. This coming Wednesday, 3rd October, sees our Annual Provincial visit so the Lodge will tyle at 7pm. In terms of the Lodge setup, there is still some work to be done in respect of displaying photographs and items like the Past Master boards. This matter was discussed at our recent committee meeting and we now have ideas in place on how to proceed with this. We plan is to make a start as soon as possible. There are two important upcoming dates. The first is on Wednesday October 24th when we'll be holding our first ever open night. This will of course be at Kirkliston Bowling Club and we hope to encourage visitors from the village to come along and see what Freemasonry is all about. We also hope to attract 482 members who haven't attended for some time and also members of the craft who have perhaps moved to the area, but who do not presently attend any Lodge. We have produced a leaflet to highlight the occasion and copies will be distributed around the village in the couple of weeks leading up to the event. A copy of the leaflet can also be downloaded from our 'HOME' page. The second important date in question is Wednesday 7th November when I'll have the pleasure of conferring Honorary Membership on Bro. Craig Gordon, R.W.M. of Lodge Dalhousie Bonnyrigg 720. Bro. Craig is in his 3rd year as Master and it's sure to be a great night. Please come along if you can.
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A good bit later than intended, it good to finally say a few words about the past weeks.
Our last meeting was a 3rd Degree and I was really pleased with how everything worked out on the night. This was the first time we had worked a 3rd at our new home in Kirkliston Bowling Club and we took advantage of the additional space to work the degree in the 'old' style that we hadn't been able to do since we left the village. Everyone did a great job on the night and my congratulations to all the Office Bearers - and indeed to everyone who took part. The night before, it was both an honour and a privilege to help present a 40 year jewel to Bro. Hugh Paterson, R.W.M. of Lodge Hopetoun St. John 1232. Bro. Hugh is also a Master Mason of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland. It's not the practise at 482 to mark 40 years service so being asked by 1232 to participate in the ceremony was a tremendous gesture indeed - and greatly appreciated. Bro. Hugh had ne idea the ceremony was going to take place and was completely taken aback when Bro. Norrie Austin set the ball rolling. Thanks again to all the 1232 brethren for allowing us to be involved. My masonic visits have been somewhat curtailed of the past few weeks as I've had a surprising number of evening jobs. However, I'm getting out as often as I can and tonight - Friday 13th (!!!) - it's the Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian Ball and I'll be attending with Janet. It will be good to catch up with brethren from across the province. Looking forward, next Wednesday sees 482's last meeting before the summer recess and this will be a 2nd Degree. There are a few more meetings in the pipeline of course, not to mention Installations at Lodge Royal Thistle, St. John Corstorphine and Dalkeith Kilwinning. There's also the last CCLASP event, the grand family barn dance on June 2nd and the Reigning Masters' Degree at 720 on June 13th. Finally, I'd like to have said a bit more about the Masonic Facebook sites that have appeared recently but I really haven't had the chance to far to take a more involved look. Not everyone is enthusiastic about this development of course - indeed some are totally indifferent to the entire concept!! However, this is the 21st century and if we want to reach out to our 'target audience', this is one of the ways we need to go. More next time methinks!! |
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