A Degree of Success - and other stuff!!

A good bit later than intended, it good to finally say a few words about the past weeks.

Our last meeting was a 3rd Degree and I was really pleased with how everything worked out on the night.

This was the first time we had worked a 3rd at our new home in Kirkliston Bowling Club and we took advantage of the additional space to work the degree in the 'old' style that we hadn't been able to do since we left the village.

Everyone did a great job on the night and my congratulations to all the Office Bearers - and indeed to everyone who took part.

The night before, it was both an honour and a privilege to help present a 40 year jewel to Bro. Hugh Paterson, R.W.M. of Lodge Hopetoun St. John 1232. Bro. Hugh is also a Master Mason of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

It's not the practise at 482 to mark 40 years service so being asked by 1232 to participate in the ceremony was a tremendous gesture indeed - and greatly appreciated.

Bro. Hugh had ne idea the ceremony was going to take place and was completely taken aback when Bro. Norrie Austin set the ball rolling.

Thanks again to all the 1232 brethren for allowing us to be involved.

My masonic visits have been somewhat curtailed of the past few weeks as I've had a surprising number of evening jobs.

However, I'm getting out as often as I can and tonight - Friday 13th (!!!) - it's the Provincial Grand Lodge of Midlothian Ball and I'll be attending with Janet.

It will be good to catch up with brethren from across the province.

Looking forward, next Wednesday sees 482's last meeting before the summer recess and this will be a 2nd Degree.

There are a few more meetings in the pipeline of course, not to mention Installations at Lodge Royal Thistle, St. John Corstorphine and Dalkeith Kilwinning.

There's also the last CCLASP event, the grand family barn dance on June 2nd and the Reigning Masters' Degree at 720 on June 13th.

Finally, I'd like to have said a bit more about the Masonic Facebook sites that have appeared recently but I really haven't had the chance to far to take a more involved look.

Not everyone is enthusiastic about this development of course - indeed some are totally indifferent to the entire concept!!

However, this is the 21st century and if we want to reach out to our 'target audience', this is one of the ways we need to go.

More next time  methinks!!