Another great day was had by all when Lodge Kirkliston Maitland met Kirkliston Bowling Club in the 2014 Bob Duff Trophy Competition. Rain did threaten at the very start of the match but the sun soon shone through.

It didn't shine for the 482 bowlers though as KBC again came out as worthy winners. However, fun and friendly competition were the orders of the day and the match was enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

The trophy is named in memory of our R.W.M. Bro. Les Duff's Dad, who passed to the Grand Lodge Above in March 2012 and Mrs Helen Duff, who threw the 1st jack, also presented the trophy to Bowling Club President Ross Kelt, in the company of our R.W.M.

Both Ross Kelt and Bro. Les thanked everyone who took part and for continuing the great relationship between Lodge Kirkliston Maitland and Kirkliston Bowling Club.

Bro. Les said: "Another great afternoon with our friends from Kirkliston Bowling Club and thanks again to everyone who made it possible especially the members, Honorary Members and friends of the Lodge who made up the 482 team. A big thanks also to the Club for their generous post-match hospitality."

Congratulations to Bro. Gary Sibbald P.M. on being in the Chair for a Military Degree held at Lodge Royal Thistle (The Royal Scots) 1338 and congratulations also to our President of Stewards, Bro. Alex 'Sugar' Clark for taking the post of Junior Deacon.

All the the Office Bearers taking part in the Degree were former serving members of The Royal Scots and a total of £870 was raised on the night. In addition, Lodge Royal Thistle made a donation of £50 to The Royal Scots Benevolent Fund.

The £870 was split between The Mark Wright Project and a fund set up to improve lighting at the Royal Scots Museum at Edinburgh Castle.

As stated on their web site: "The Mark Wright Project actively supports our ex-Service men, women and their families in addressing the invisible wounds of war, easing ex-Service men and women's transition into civilian life."

Their centre is located in Dalkeith and you can visit their web site by clicking HERE.

There will hopefully be a similar event in 2014 at another Lodge in the Provence.

Well, the first half of the 482 Masonic season may be over, but it certainly ended in just recognition for Bro. Gary Sibbald P.M. when he received Honorary Membership of Lodge Royal Thistle The Royal Scots 1338.

Lodge Royal Thistle have been trying for many years to have 'The Royal Scots' as part of their name and R.W.M. Bro. Martin McFarland thanked Bro. Gary for all the work he had done in helping to research and prepare their case for presentation to The Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Bro. Gary - who was a serving soldier in The 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) - also spoke passionately in Grand Lodge in support of 1338's case and Bro. Martin also acknowledged the part this had played in helping secure the vote needed in order to win the debate.

As well as being a great personal honour for Bro. Gary, this also reflects well on Lodge Kirkliston Maitland and we congratulate him once again.

It was also great to see so many brethren in the  482 deputation who supported Bro. Gary on the night.

In all 21 took part - made up of members, Honorary members and friends of the Lodge and thanks go again to all concerned.

This wasn't the only presentation to take place. To mark his 50 years as a member of the Craft, Bro. Tommy Doyle I.P.M. was presented with his diploma by R.W.P.G.M. Bro. Brian Kerley who congratulated Bro. Tommy on his achievement.

Previous to the presentations, the R.W.M. and his Office Bearers worked an Entered Apprentice Degree and candidate, Bro. William Darroch, wrote his own name in the Lodge history book by becoming their first initiate since "The Royal Scots' was added to 1338's name.

This was also Bro. Martin's 'greetin 'meetin and he finished by thanking everyone for the support he had received during his term of office.

With just one meeting to go, the first half of our Masonic season is drawing to a close.

Our meeting this Wednesday, April 17th, is a Mark Degree being worked by Bro. Alastair Smith P.M.

It's been a exciting couple of months for the Lodge and we now have three Entered Apprentices, all set to take their next regular step when we restart in September.

We'll be looking to confirm these dates at our committee meeting tomorrow.

We do have a very important date coming up though and that's our deputation on Monday April 22nd to Lodge Royal Thistle The Royal Scots 1338.

At this meeting, Bro. Gary Sibbald P.M. will receive Honorary Membership.

This is a great honour - not only for Bro. Gary but also for 482 - and we'd like to give him as much support as possible.

We do hope as many members and friends as possible will be able to attend.The Lodge tyles at 7.15pm.