Goodbye to 2013 - Well Almost!!

Click to enlarge

Well, 2012 is almost over and, looking back to the past few months, one of the biggest events in the 482 calendar was the Consecration of our premises in Kirkliston carried out by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian.

The Provincial Office Bearers who carried out the ceremony were headed by our Provincial Grand Master Bro. Brian Kerley  and the very dignified ceremony was enjoyed and appreciated by all the brethren, most of whom had never previously seen this kind of event before.

In his address that followed, this particular point was emphasised by Bro. Kerley who said the ceremony of consecration was one that some masons would perhaps see only once in a lifetime.

He made special mention of the three main participants, Brother Colin Thomson, PG Chaplain, Brother Drew Laven PG DOC for the tremendous amount of preparation they put in to ensuring everything went smoothly and also Brother Bobby Hooker, PG Organist, whose musical ability had enhanced the occasion.

He added that it was also pleasing to have one of the Provincial representatives of this Lodge, Brother William Reddington P.M., take on the duties of Worshipful Provincial Grand Senior Warden and thanked him for his assistance during the Ceremony.

Bro. Kerley congratulated the brethren of 482 for their ingenuity in creating a Temple that was not a ‘one size fits all’ solution, with ‘walls’ that could be expanded or contracted as the need arose.

He also mentioned the dedication of the Brethren who set up and put back the Lodge every second Wednesday and why it was more important than ever that fresh members are attracted to the Lodge in order to share this heavy load in the future.

---

Bro. George Arbuckle

Click to enlarge

But there was another highlight to come. Bro. Les Duff R.W.M., in the company of our R.W.P.G.M. then presented Bro. George Arbuckle M.M. with his jubilee diploma, marking 50 years as a member of the craft. The R.W.M. and the R.W.P.G.M. congratulated Bro. George on reaching such an important milestone in his Masonic Career.

---