Hello brethren. It’s hard to believe that the first half of the 482 Masonic season has come to an end and can I begin by thanking all the members, Honorary members and visitors who have supported Lodge Kirkliston Maitland so well since my Installation in February.
 
Whether you visited us for the first time, or were a more regular visitor, I sincerely hope you enjoyed the time you spent with us.
 
It’s been a very exciting - and a very busy three months - during which we’ve welcomed 10 deputations and four new Honorary members.
 
As we all know, visiting other Lodges is a very important part of Freemasonry and I want to thank everyone who accompanied me on my visits. It’s been fantastic - and a great help in getting 482 out there in the Province of Midlothian and beyond.
 
As with most organisations, much of the work that helps support the Lodge takes place behind the scenes; setting up for our meetings, organising food for the harmony and taking care of the raffle to name a few. My grateful thanks to all the brethren involved.
 
So, as we look forward to our summer recess, can I finish by wishing brethren and their families everywhere a happy and enjoyable break and I look forward to seeing you all again in September. Thank you brethren.

Wednesday 15th February 2017 really marked a landmark moment in the history of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

At the start of his first regular meeting as Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Gordon Yeoman was invested with his Honorary Grand Lodge Director of Ceremonies Jewel by his Dad, Bro. Sid Yeoman in the company of our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro. Thomas C. Smith.

Then, in a very dignified ceremony presented by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian, our new Lodge regalia was consecrated by Provincial Grand Chaplain Bro. Martin McFarland.

And last, but by no means least, Bro. Gordon Yeoman R.W.M. conferred Honorary Membership of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland on Bro. Thomas C. Smith R.W.P.G.M. and Bro. Rab Smith R.W.M. of The Thistle Lodge West Calder 270.

We were joined on the night by impressive deputations from The Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian, Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 and The Thistle Lodge West Calder 270 and afterwards, all the brethren sat down to enjoy some informal harmony.

And, during the evening a gallon bottle of whisky generously donated by our Junior Deacon Bro. Greig Robinson raised £340 in a special raffle in aid of the P.G.L.M. Charity Appeal. The lucky winner was Bro. Alan Henderson S.M. Lodge Rosslyn St. Clair 606.

Bro. Sid Yeoman is a Past Master of the Celtic Lodge of Edinburgh & Leith No. 291 and an Honorary Member of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

Well, it's almost a week since our Annual Installation when Bro. Gordon Yeoman was Installed as our new Right Worshipful Master and, once again, we wish him and his newly-installed Office Bearers all the very best during the coming year.

But, hard of the heels of a very busy Installation day, we have three important events taking place at our regular meeting on Wednesday 15th February. This means that the traditionally quiet meeting immediately after our Installation promises to be anything but!!

There will be no degree that night and the first item on the agenda is the presentation of an Honorary Grand Lodge jewel to our R.W.M. Bro. Gordon Yeoman. Bro. Gordon will be invested as Honorary Grand Director of Ceremonies by his Dad, Bro. Sid Yeoman P.M. of The Celtic Lodge of Edinburgh & Leith and an Honorary Member of 482, in the company of Bro. Thomas C. Smith R.W.P.G.M.

​And, as well as being a very proud moment for Bro. Gordon - and his Dad - it will be a special occasion for all the brethren of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

Following this, our R.W.M. will confer Honorary Membership of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland on R.W.P.G.M. Bro. Thomas C. Smith and Bro. Rab Smith Right Worshipful Master of The Thistle Lodge West Calder 270.

The Thistle Lodge have been granted dispensation to cancel their meeting on the night and we look forward to both brethren becoming Honorary Members of 482.

Finally, in a ceremony presided over by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian, the Provincial Grand Office Bearers will consecrate our new Lodge Regalia that was displayed for the first time during our Annual Installation.

On the night, we will be supported by deputations from Provincial Grand Lodge, from Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 and, of course, from the Thistle Lodge West Calder 270.

We look forward to welcoming all these brethren and of course all the members, Honorary Members and visitors who join us on the night. All will receive a very warm Kirkliston Maitland Welcome.

Congratulations to Bro. Gordon Yeoman P.M. on achieving the rank of Honorary Grand Director of Ceremonies. The announcement was made by the Grand Master Mason at the Installation of Grand Lodge Office Bearers.

Well done and well deserved Gordon and congratulations from all the brethren at 482. 

In response to the announcement, Bro. Gordon said: "Just want to say a big thank you to all who sent their congratulations for my Honorary Grand Rank last Thursday. 
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What an honour, not just for myself but for my Mother Lodge and to join Brother's John McCriner & Bill Blain who both received this same honour is just unbelievable!!!!"

Here are just a few of the many comments the news produced on social media:

"Well done Gordon Yeoman, an honour achieved after many years of diligent service over three provinces that I know about, there may be more, such is your style that you work away in the background not looking for recognition but doing it just for the joy of being part of this great Craft of ours. Congratulations to you and your lodge for this great honour."

"Well done Bro Yeoman...great honour well deserved."

"Well done Gordon.Congratulations from all at no 8."

"Nice one Gordon. Many congratulations."

"Congrats Gordon. Well deserved."

"Well done Gordon, Kirky's proud of you."

"Congratulations and well done. A great honour for you and 482."

"Belter. That and the photo."

"Well done that man! Well deserved."

Congratulations to Bro. Jimmy Stewart P.M. and Bro. Murrie Thomson P.M. who received Honorary Membership of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No. 85 at the hand of R.W.M. Bro. Alan Banks.

Bro. Alan, who is himself an Honorary Member of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland, paid tribute to both brethren and thanked them for the assistance they had given to No. 85 over the years.

He thanked Bro. Jimmy, not only for his regular attendance at No. 85, but for his help in setting up the hall for harmony and also his contribution to the harmony itself.

And as R.W.M. at 482, it was Bro. Jimmy who conferred Honorary Membership of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland on Bro. Alan back in 2008.

But while Bro. Jimmy was fully aware of the events of the evening, it was a complete surprise to Bro. Murrie!!

The R.W.M. thanked Bro. Murrie for the work he had done during the summer recess in redesigning the No. 85 website and making it much easier to update with all the latest news at Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho. Bro. Alan added that he was No. 85's "chief unofficial photographer" having photographed many of the Lodge's Installation programmes and also their 250th anniversary celebrations.

Bro. Jimmy and Bro. Murrie expressed their sincere thanks to Bro. Alan and to all the members of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho for this great honour, not only for themselves but to all at Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

Ties between the two Lodges stretch back over may years and this can only make these bonds even stronger.

And last but by no means least, a big thanks to all the 482 members and Honorary Members who joined the deputation on the night, headed by our R.W.M. Bro. Glen Brown.

Our meeting on 5th October was a special one for Bro. Jimmy Stewart P.M. when he was presented with his Jubilee Certificate marking his 50 years as a member of the craft and of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland 482.

The presentation was made by our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro. Thomas C. Smith who congratulated Bro. Jimmy on reaching this significant milestone and complimented him on the contribution he has made over his many years of service.

Born on February 20th 1942, Jimmy was initiated on October 15th 1966 and was Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland 482 from 2007 - 2008.

Bro. Jimmy has always been a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the Lodge and, always ready to step in and help when needed, he is still a great ambassador for 482.

In making the presentation, Bro. Smith commented on his fund-raising activities and his title as the 'raffle king' and also his introduction of a 'whisky trail' to raise cash for the Kids' Christmas Party.

Bro. Jimmy is also active in other Masonic Orders an is presently a Commissioned Office Bearer in the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Linlithgowshire.

In reply, Bro. Jimmy thanked the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for his kind words adding that he hoped to continue his contribution to 482 for many years to come.

This meeting also marked our annual P.G.L.M. visit and we were delighted to receive such a large deputation supporting the Provincial Grand Master.

​A big night also for our candidate Bro. Paul McLeary who took his second step in Freemasonry.

Kirkliston Bowling Club have again come out tops in the annual KBC v 482 tournament, winning the 'Bob Duff Trophy' with a score of 72-41. Congratulations to Team KBC and a big thanks to everyone who took part. Thanks also to Kirkliston Bowling Club for their hospitality.

​Here are a few photographs from the day.

A big night for our Right Worshipful Master Bro. Glen Brown - and indeed for everyone at 482 - when Bro. Glen received Honorary Membership at Lodge St. John Corstorphine 788.

​The ceremony was carried out by Bro. Chris Syme R.W.M. during his 'greetin meetin' and, as well as thanking everyone at 788 for this great honour, Bro. Glen thanked the 482 members, Honorary Members and all the visitors who joined our deputation to lend their support.