It was a masonic meeting - but not as you know it!! This might be an appropriate description of our Special Meeting on January 29th.

We took advantage of the 'five Wednesday month' to invite deputations from the two Lodges that meet the same night as 482; Lodge St. John Fisherrow 112 and the Thistle Lodge 270.

However, our R.W.M. Bro. Les Duff also invited deputations from Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No. 85, Lodge St. John Corstorphine 788 and Lodge Newbattle St. Mary 1063.

And what superb deputations they all were!!! All told, 103 brethren signed the attendance book, a fantastic result and an equally fantastic night!!!

And it certainly was a meeting with a difference. Instead of a degree, we had the presentation of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Mark Degree Tracing Boards and well done to the four presenters who were respectively: Bro. Bob Potter I.P.M. No. 85, Bro. Murrie Thomson I.P.M. 482, Bro. Ned Kelly I.P.M. 788 and Bro. Brian Clements S.M. 1063.

The meeting finished just after 9pm and afterwards we all enjoyed some harmony together. Think we'll need to order more pies and make more soup next time though!!!

Continuing what is a bit of a busy time, we have our Annual Installation on Saturday, a committee meeting on Monday and a regular meeting on Wednesday 5th. It's all go.

Last night's committee meeting effectively marked the end of our summer recess and, in Masonic terms, we're now getting 'back to normal'.

Our first meeting on Wednesday 4th September is our AGM when our Treasurer, Bro. William Reddington P.M. will present our annual accounts.

And with several events coming up, it looking really busy in the run up to the end of the year. 

Our first degree of this season will be on September 18th when Bro. Peter Cox will be made a Fellow of Craft. Our meeting on October 2nd is our annual Provincial visit and this will be another 2nd Degree.

Saturday 28th September will see Bro. Gordon Yeoman P.M. installed as the R.W.M. of the Celtic Lodge of Edinburgh & Leith No. 291.

Bro. Gordon's election comes as his dad, Bro. Sid Yeoman P.M. of The Celtic Lodge, celebrates his 60 years as a member of the craft and is a fitting tribute to Bro. Sid's achievement. Bro. Sid is also an Honorary Member of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

There will be a strong 482 presence in the installing team, with Bro. David Swan P.M. as Principal Installing Master, Bro. Murrie Thomson I.P.M. as Installing Senior Warden and Bro. Les Duff R.W.M. as Installing Inner Guard.

It's sure to be a full house and and event we can all look forward to.

On Saturday October 19th, Kirkliston Bowling Club is the venue for a 'Stars In Your Eyes' night. This is a charity event and we'll be raising cash for two worthy organisations, 'Richmonds Hope' and S.A.N.D.S.

The acts are already in place and, amongst others you will hear tributes to Elton John, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, The Blues Bros, Emeli Sande and Billy Joel.

The last event of the first couple of months will be a deputation to Lodge Newbattle St. Mary 1063 on Tuesday 22nd October and at this meeting, our I.P.M., Bro. Murrie Thomson, will receive Honorary Membership.

This is a great honour, not only for Bro. Murrie, but for Lodge Kirkliston Maitland and surely another night to enjoy.