It was great that our first regular meeting in Kirkliston Bowling Club went so well and congratulations to all the Office Bearers for doing such a good job.

I have to confess, I was more nervous on the night that I was at my 1st meeting as R.W.M. 12 months ago!!

There was a good turnout of members and visitors and it was tremendous to see brethren who haven't been at 482 for some time taking their seats in the Lodge.

We must hope that this trend continues in the months that lie ahead. I really do think it will.

One notable group of visitors was from Lodge Buchan St. John 636, headed by their R.W.M. Bro. James Vaughan. Bro. James said that they had come along to welcome us back to our 'home' and this is particularly touching as 636 had to leave their home in Broxburn and now meet in Livingston.

Hopefully they too will manage to return to where they belong.


One very positive bit of feedback came from Bro. Derek Winchester R.W.M. of Lodge St. Kentigern Penicuik & West Linton 429.

When I visited 429 on the Monday after the Installation, Bro. Derek said - in open Lodge - that when he arrived for the Installation, it really was like walking into a Masonic Temple and I think we can all take reassurance from such a comment that all our work has been worthwhile.

This is exactly the impression we were aiming to achieve.

Finally, thanks and all credit to the members and visitors who helped put away all the furniture after the meeting. It was done in double-quick time - faster than I thought possible!! 

As we have new moved back to our 'spiritual home' - and have a new Lodge web site, I thought this was a good time to incorporate my blog into the site. The former posts are still in place for now and can be found here.

A lot has happend since my last post but with all the additional work involved in our move to Kirkliston Bowling Club, I'm a bit behind schedule.

I was really disappointed to have missed our last meeting in Corstorphine, especially as it was a joint degree with Lodge St. John Corstorphine 788 and, of course, Bro. Camy Stewart I.P.M. was receiving honorary membership.

However, with Janet unwell, my place was at home and my thanks again to Bro. Gordon Yeoman P.M. for stepping in at a very late stage - and to all the Office Bearers from both 482 and 788 who took part in the degree.

So now it's full steam ahead for our Installation this Saturday, February 11th and I have to say I'm really looking forward to the ceremony - and to being R.W.M. of the Lodge for another year.

The past 12 months have gone really quickly and I've enjoyed every moment. I'm sure the next year will follow the same pattern and I can only thank the brethren of 482 once again for allowing me this honour.

Installing Masters are Bro. Gordon Yeoman P.M. and Bro. David Swan I.P.M. Where Gordon is an 'old hand', the is Bro. David's first time as Installing Master and I'm sure the ceremony will be one to remember.

As I said, we've had a busy time but all the original Lodge furniture is now in place and, until our new carpet arrives, we're delighted the brethren of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No. 85 have agreed to loan us theirs in the meantime.

We've added a few more modern display items to the mix and when we set everything up for our rehearsal last night, it was a really good feeling.

We aslo have a backdrop for display in the East which shows the mural from our former premises in the village. The image for this was pieced together from various photographs by Bro. W. Raymond King P.M. and many thanks to him for his patience in putting this together.

I think it will be more than a bit nostalgic to see it in place but it's a sight I never thought I'd see again.

The 'room dividers' we ordered were delivered today and will be in place for the Installation and I look forward to welcoming members and visitors to the ceremony and to the Festival of St. John that follows.

Now that we've moved back to Kirkliston, we've had more than a few members say they'll be returning to the Lodge. I really hope they do and help take 482 from strength to strength.

Next job is to set up for the ceremony and this will be done on Saturday morning at 8.30am.

To coin the old phrase, 'many hands make light work' and I'm hoping a good few brethren will come along to lend a hand.

I'll be back soon!!