One more deputation will bring the 1st half of the the 482 Masonic season 'officially' to a close.

Following our last regular meeting - a Mark Degree worked by Bro. Ray King P.M. - we took a deputation to The Thistle Lodge 270 in West Calder for a degree worked mainly by young masons from the Province.

It was an superb night and 270 was packed to capacity for what proved to be an excellent degree, with two Kirkliston Maitland brethren, Bro. Peter Cox I.G. and Bro. Andy Hogg M.M. taking part.

As was said after the degree, with this kind of effort and commitment, the Province of Midlothian would appear to be in good hands.

Our second deputation will be to Lodge St. John Fisherrow 112 on Wednesday 7th May and like 270 they meet the same night as us, so will be good to have this opportunity catch up with the brethren in Musselburgh.

The main event of the summer will of course be the Installation of Bro. Tom Smith as Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. This takes place at Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 on Saturday 7th June and is sure to be a full house!!

We can only hope that we do indeed get some 'proper' summer weather and although some Lodges do meet throughout the year, we wish everyone an enjoyable time over the coming months.

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.

Well 2014 is well and truly with us and our 1st meeting of 2014 is a 3rd Degree on Wednesday 15th January at which Bro. Greig Robinson will be raised to the High and Sublime Degree of Master Mason. That night, we will welcome a deputation from Lodge St. Margaret South Queensferry 548.

And, as January is a 'five Wednesday month', we are holding a special meeting on Wednesday 29th January when we look forward to welcoming deputations from Lodge St. John Fisherrow 112 and The Thistle Lodge 270.

As these Lodges meet the same night as us, special meetings are our only opportunity to welcome brethren from these Lodges. We also have deputations from Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No. 85, Lodge St. John Corstorphine 788 and Lodge Newbattle St. Mary 1063.

This will certainly be a bit different from the norm!! We are not working a degree but will be presenting the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Mark Degree Tracing Boards - a bit different indeed!!!

The presentations will be made by:
1st Degree - Bro. Bob Potter I.P.M. No. 85
2nd Degree - Bro. Murrie Thomson I.P.M. No. 482
3rd Degree - Bro. Ned Kelly I.P.M. No. 788
Mark Degree - Bro. Brian Clements S.M. No. 1063

And even after a somewhat busy night, there will be no chance of a break as a few days later - on Saturday 1st February - we have our Annual Installation and Festival of St. John.

On the day, Bro. Les Duff will be again installed into the chair of King Solomon and the Installing Masters are Bro. David Swan P.M. and Bro. Gordon Yeoman P.M.

Tickets, price £12, are available from the Bro. Secretary and more on this event in the next couple of weeks.