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.

We've just published photographs taken at our bi-annual 'Ostrea Lodge' visit when, one again, everyone concerned had a really great night!!

It's always good to meet up with our friends from South of the Border and this year was no exception, with 22 brethren making the trip this year.

And we're already taking about a date for trip to Colchester in 2014!!

You can see the photographs by clicking here.

Our candidate on the night was Mr. Andrew Hogg, son-in-law of our R.W.M. Bro. Les Duff. And at our meeting the Wednesday before, we initiated Mr. Peter Cox, the first of our three new candidates.

This coming Wednesday, 3rd April,we'll be working another Entered Apprentice Degree when our third candidate will be initiated.

This will be our second-last meeting of the first part of the season and we'll finish off with a Mark Degree worked by Bro. Alastair Smith P.M.

Between these two meeting is The PGLM Quarterly Communication, being held this time in West Calder at The Thistle Lodge 270.

Later in the month, on April 22nd, we'll be taking a deputation to Lodge Royal Thistle 1338 The Royal Scots and of course there are three installations in the diary: Lodge Liberton 1201 on Saturday 27th April, Lodge St. John Corstorphine 788 on Saturday 11th May and Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 on Friday 17th May.