Well, come October, all Lodges will have begun the second half of the Masonic season and, good to say, I've already enjoyed several visits to Lodges in the Province.

As for 482, we've already had our AGM and last Wednesday had a 1st Degree that included an impromptu deputation from Lodge Hopetoun St. John 1232, headed by their Right Worshipful Master Bro. Hugh Paterson. Bro. Hugh is of course a Master Mason of Lodge Kirkliston Maitland.

Thanks again Brethren for coming along in such numbers. It was greatly appreciated by everyone at 482, as was every visitor who came along.

This coming Wednesday, 3rd October, sees our Annual Provincial visit so the Lodge will tyle at 7pm.

In terms of the Lodge setup, there is still some work to be done in respect of displaying photographs and items like the Past Master boards. This matter was discussed at our recent committee meeting and we now have ideas in place on how to proceed with this. We plan is to make a start as soon as possible.

There are two important upcoming dates. The first is on Wednesday October 24th when we'll be holding our first ever open night. This will of course be at Kirkliston Bowling Club and we hope to encourage visitors from the village to come along and see what Freemasonry is all about.

We also hope to attract 482 members who haven't attended for some time and also members of the craft who have perhaps moved to the area, but who do not presently attend any Lodge.

We have produced a leaflet to highlight the occasion and copies will be distributed around the village in the couple of weeks leading up to the event. A copy of the leaflet can also be downloaded from our 'HOME' page.

The second important date in question is Wednesday 7th November when I'll have the pleasure of conferring Honorary Membership on Bro. Craig Gordon, R.W.M. of Lodge Dalhousie Bonnyrigg 720. Bro. Craig is in his 3rd year as Master and it's sure to be a great night. Please come along if you can.

Well, the summer (if we can call it that!!) recess is over and the Masonic Season now gets pretty much back to normal.

For Lodge Kirkliston Maitland, our first meeting is on Wednesday 5th September and it's our A.G.M.

As such, it's a members only meeting with no Degree. However, I'd really like to see as many members as possible on the night, as we hear how the Lodge has done over the past 12 months.

There will be other matters to discuss of course and it is an important night in the 482 calendar.

Although we have been in recess, there was no shortage of meetings, as some Lodges do meet throughout the year.

August 22nd was such a night when Bro. Jimmy Stewart P.M.D.M. received Honorary Membership of Lodge Colinton & Currie 1029.

Congratulations again to Bro. Jimmy and thanks to all the brethren who joined our deputation. It was great to lead such a distinguished group on such an important occasion.

It was a full house at 1029 on the night, and the same could be said a couple of nights later at Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 for their annual 'Festival' meeting. 

This was Bro. Andrew Smith's first meeting since being installed as R.W.M. and congratulations again to him and his team, with a special mention for Bro. Richard Carmichael who gave an excellent presentation of the Working Tools, his first time on the floor.

Of course, although the Lodge has been closed, things have been taking place 'in the background'. With the help of Bro. David Swan I.P.M. and Bro. Gordon Yeoman P.M., all the 482 photographs have been removed from Lodge St. John Corstorphine, along with the Past Master Boards. We'll be bringing everything back to Kirkliston in the very near future.

We must now look at the best was to display these items in Kirkliston and this was one of the matters discussed at our committee meeting on 13th August.

There were some very positive suggestions on how best to proceed with this and I look forward to working on these very soon.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing as many 482 members as possible on Wednesday.