News Story 34

The annual Installation was a bit disappointing with a low attendance of 84 of whom 29 were visitors. Although Installing Master Bro. Graham thought his work was not up to his usual high standards, the members of the Lodge appreciate his labours and his tremendous efforts. Congratulations must also be given to his Installing colleague Bro Douglas who performed his duties in an excellent manner. Bro Douglas obviously inspired the office bearers because the reducing and closing of the Lodge were of a high standard. The contribution to Grand Lodge benevolence was Ł280 after the lodge had doubled the collection.

We then went to harmony and a fine three course meal was followed by some excellent toasts after which we were entertained by two singers of good quality. We all went home happy after Auld Lang Syne and the Queen.

The first regular meeting of the new R.W.M. was a poorly-attended business meeting with an attendance of around twenty. The only thing of note about the meeting was the announcement of the end of the Hundred Club which raised a lot of money for the lodge over the years. After a short meeting we adjourned to the lounge and watched Rangers exit from European competition. Neither the meeting nor the football was inspiring.

The first regular meeting of the New Year was a well attended one, thanks to about a dozen visitors and a deputation of fifteen from 305.

The RWM announced the death of Bro David Young and a minute's silence was held as a mark of respect.

The degree for the evening was a third degree ably conferred by the RWM and Office Bearers of Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305 for which they received congratulations. At the end of the meeting the newly-made MM then had a Dress apron, given by his family, invested by a 919 PM . The RWM of 305 received honorary membership for his efforts for which he thanked 919.

As this was the first meeting for a month their was quite a lot of business and the degree was quite long so the meeting finished at 10:15 which is too late to be eating pies.

This, our first meeting in February, was surprisingly well attended with 59 Brethren signing the Attendance Book. This included an unofficial deputation of fourteen PMs, Office Bearers and brethren from Lodge Easterhouse No 1591 who were there to thank the 919 brethren who supported their Annual Almoner's Dance. There was only one other visitor so the Brethren of 919 were out in force despite Rangers CIS cup semi-final being live on TV.

The Degree for the evening was a First Degree ably conferred by the Lodge Office Bearers on an excellent enthusiastic and confident candidate. All the members of the degree team were congratulated for their part in a splendid degree.

The question of smoking in the Lodge room was raised and will be discussed at the next committee meeting at the end of February. Hopefully some workable consensus of opinion can be reached on this controversial issue and the lodge will agree a sensible solution.

After the meeting we adjourned to harmony and watched the closing goal avalanche at the end of the aforementioned CIS Cup semi-final. The Blue brigade went home happy while the claret and amber brigade ( whose team triumphed the previous evening in the other semi-final) were looking forward with quiet confidence to the CIS Cup Final in March.

The second meeting in February was quite poorly attended despite there being no other attractions - no football live or otherwise. Maybe a visiting third degree is not what our Brethren want to see. However, 573's third is relatively short and finished at half past nine.

573 brought a deputation of twelve Brethren which was just enough to take the attendance to over fifty which included a number of bowling friends of the candidate. The third degree was excellent with all the 573 office bearers playing their part. As the RWM was already an honorary member and had received a lodge tie as well he was presented with a Mark Penny as his previous 919 Mark Penny had been stolen.

The lodge was closed and the brethren went to harmony where there was an abundance of pies as a greater attendance had been anticipated.

The first regular meeting of March was not that well attended - just over fifty again - although the inclement weather may have played a part in the low attendance. The lodge endorsed the committee's recommendation that there should be No Smoking in the upstairs area of the Lodge during our meetings. However, the downstairs lounge area will be available to accommodate visitations and those who wish to smoke at the recess.

Bro Robert Matthew conveyed Fraternal greetings from some of the Lodges and Brethren he met on his recent visit to Jamaica. It is hoped that he will give a more detailed report for inclusion as a news story in its own right.

This meeting was the Annual Visit of Provincial Grand Lodge when they reported on the Lodge performance and books in the last financial year. The main point raised was that they were delighted that we had seven initiates - a relatively high number these days. They also congratulated the Secretary and Treasurer on the good health of the lodge and the clarity of the books.

There then followed an entertaining first degree which was well received by an excellent candidate. Commenting on the degree, the PGL representative was impressed by the youth of those taking part and by the standard of the degree work.

After the close of the lodge, a harmony followed when PGL received a cup of tea, sandwiches and cakes and we poor brethren were given no pies and were therefore forced to purchase strong drink for our sustenance.

The attendance at this the second meeting in March was much better - around the sixty mark -boosted by five visitors from Lodge Union Stonehouse No 244 and a deputation of thirteen brethren from Lodge Murdostoun Castle. The attendance was pleasing because this was the first meeting where smoking was banned in the upstairs part of the lodge so our attendance did not appear to be affected.

The degree for the evening was a second by the RWM and office bearers of Lodge Murdostoun Castle No 1096. The degree was excellent and made even more enjoyable by the enthusiasm of the candidate. As the RWM of 1096 had previously had Honorary membership and a lodge tie all he received for his efforts was the congratulations of the brethren present.

We then went to harmony where it was good to have a talk to our friends in 1096.

The attendance at this meeting was very poor - only 48 brethren signed the Attendance Book and this included a deputation of twelve brethren from The Operative Lodge of Airdrie No 203.

A minute's silence was observed following the death of Bro John Cochrane who was 80 years old and joined the lodge in 1950.

The degree for the evening was a Third ably conferred in their unique ritual by the Operative Lodge of Airdrie. Unfortunately the Candidate was working and therefore unable to attend so we witnessed an exemplification. This led to the situation where the Inner Guard started the evening as Acting Junior Deacon, then DOC to introduce the Deputation, then Candidate for the mock degree, then returned to Acting Junior Deacon and finally distributed pies and sold Raffle Tickets - a busy wee night.

The brethren present certainly enjoyed the degree and the Operative Lodge of Airdrie No 203 were thanked for their efforts. The lodge then went to harmony and an enjoyable hour and a bit was spent with our friends from 203

The attendance at this meeting was better - over 50 brethren signed the Attendance Book of whom only five were visitors - the RWM of Lodge Murdostoun Castle No 1096 and the Fellow craft who will receive his third degree at our hands next Tuesday, the RWM of Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305 and their newest Entered Apprentice and one of the Wardens from Lodge The Duke of Hamilton No 1636.

A minute's silence was observed following the sudden death of Bro Jackie Durie who died on Monday 11 April at the age of 61 years. Jackie joined Lodge Murdostoun Castle No 1096 in 1970 and affiliated to 919 in 1974.

The degree for the evening was a First conferred by the lodge Office bearers on a very interested candidate. As usual these days the standard of the degree was excellent by some brethren and passable by others. Congratulations followed and we adjourned to the lounge for some refreshment.

As expected tonight ( April 21 2005) has seen the 1000th visit to this site so thanks to all visitors to the site for their support.

54 brethren signed the Attendance Book for the first meeting in May including a deputation of ten brethren from Lodge Motherwell Caledonian No 1228 headed by their RWM. The deputation was piped into 919 by their piper with several of the brethren wearing the kilt.

The degree for the evening was a second and was well received by all present. The RWM of 1228 then received honorary membership of 919 for which he expressed his thanks.

The meeting was then closed, all retired downstairs and, as is the custom, devoured a steak pie and enjoyed a light refreshment.

Only 34 brethren, none of whom were visitors, signed the Attendance Book in what was one of the poorest attendances at a Regular Meeting.

The RWM announced the sudden death of Bro Jim McGhee PM. Bro Jim, who would have been 71 on the day of his funeral, joined the lodge in 1980 and progressed through the various offices to become RWM in 1988-89 where he was succeeded by his son Russell - a unique circumstance in the lodge of son immediately following father. Bro Jim also became one of the few Masters to instal his successor. He introduced the singing of "Will Your Anchor Hold?" at his installation and this has become a tradition in 919. He also served as Treasurer from 1995-1997.

The RWM also announced the death of Bro John Anderson the father of Bro Grant Anderson. Bro John was a member of Lodge Neptune 375 in Aberdeen City Province. He helped Bro Grant in the bar and was a regular attender at the annual Senior Citizens function.

A minute's silence was observed as a token of respect for our departed brethren.

The degree for the evening was a third and there was some amusement when it was discovered that the candidate had had his chest waxed the previous day and was still a bit tender. The hilarity continued when the RWM dropped one of the working tools and, when he bent to pick it up his apron fell off. The humour concluded when one of the ruffians used a very poor Irish accent and compound the candidate's trials by repeating his challenge and extending it longer than usual. These incidents apart it was an excellent degree which was well received by all present and especially by the candidate.

The June meeting, as usual, enjoyed a much better attendance with 64 brethren signing the Attendance Book with an official deputation of 14 Brethren from Lodge St John Carluke No187, 5 Brethren from Lodge Shettleston St John No128 and a further five visitors from Lodge Nos 32, 427, 1096 and 1228.

The degree for the evening was a third degree well conferred by the RWM of Lodge St John Carluke No 187 and his degree team on a nervous and fidgety candidate. The RWM of 187 outlined the problems he had faced with very late call offs by key office bearers and congratulated individually the members of his team who had stepped in at the last minute to confer such an excellent degree. Our RWM then congratulated the degree team on their efforts and, after a round of applause, presented the RWM of 187 with a 919 Mark Penny.

The July meeting was well attended with 63 brethren signing the Attendance Book including 24 visitors from Lodges Old St John No 21, Lodge Hamilton No 233, Lodge Wilsontown Ironworks No 236, Lodge Union No 244, Lodge Robert Burns No 440, Lodge Motherwell Caledonian No 1228, Lodge St Enoch No 1288, Lodge Buchanan No 1499and Lodge Mauldslie Castle No 1630.

The degree for the evening was a mark degree ably conferred by a degree team of Lodge Past Masters and Office Bearers on four candidates. There was the usual mixture of hilarity and serious degree work in the Mark but overall the brethren enjoyed the degree.

The August meeting was well attended with 58 Brethren signing the Attendance Book. This included 23 visitors from twelve different Lodges including Bro Jon Anderson PM from Lodge Olympia No1 in Olympia Washington USA. The local lodges represented were Lodge Airdrie St John No 166, Lodge Biggar Free Operative No 167, Lodge Hamilton No 233, Lodge Girvan St Johns No 237, Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305, Lodge Major Ness No 948, Lodge Murdostoun Castle No 1096, Lodge Motherwell Caledonian No 1228, Lodge Avon No 1231, Lodge St Enoch No 1288 and Lodge the Royal Stuart No 1414. Several visitors were there for the first visit of many, we hope.

The degree for the evening was a Second which did not quite reach the standard expected by this past Master due to lack of preparation and rehearsal leading to a few prompts and several omissions. Having only one meeting in each of the summer months makes life difficult for those taking part in degrees.

The brethren then adjourned to enjoy some light refreshment during which the RWM presented Bro Jon Anderson with a Centenary Mark Penny and received in turn Bro Jon's Tie Clip.

The first meeting of September saw a poor turnout with only 40 brethren signing the Attendance Book only one of whom was a visitor. The degree was an exemplification of a first degree which was competently performed without being inspiring. The office bearers and brethren do not like exemplifications but there will always be times when they are required to give the degree workers necessary experience.

This meeting saw 50 Brethren including a deputation of twelve from Wilsontown Ironworks St John Lodge No 236 making their first visit to 919.

There was a long delay to the start of the degree as the candidate found it difficult to get away from work in time. He finally arrived at 8:30pm in his work clothes so for the first time we saw a candidate dressed in T-Shirt and jeans being raised. However, this is much better than having yet another exemplification.

The degree was a third conferred by the RWM and his office bearers from 236 and the brethren who left early because of the delay missed an excellent degree conferred by a team who were all equally proficient.

After the meeting we adjourned downstairs at the later than usual hour of 10:15 and enjoyed a pie and some refreshments, initially, courtesy of the candidate's father, then at our own expense.

The first meeting in October was attended by 53 brethren inclusing 6 visitors - 2 from Lodge Hope Bridge Castle No 827, and one each from Lodge Ancient Brazen No17, Lodge Woodhall St Johns No305, Lodge Callendar No 588 and Lodge Motherwell Caledonian No 1228. The degree for the evening was a well executed First with an attentive candidate and appreciative audience making the degree team's work worth while. One of the PMs reported on his visit to the Grand Lodge of Ireland in Dublin which he described as a magnificent building. The meeting closed nice and early and we adjourned to the lounge for some refreshment.

In the Lounge the RWM presented the Lodge Bowling trophies. The winner of the James Maxwell Singles trophy was Bro Willie Brown while the Robert Copeland Memorial Quaich for pairs was won by Bros Willie Brown and John Blades. The RWM also presented the Alisdair Robertson Memorial trophy to the Bowling Convenor following 919's crushing defeat of Lodge Cadder Freestone No 1584 by 123 shots to 60. The cups and quaich having been filled and emptied several times the brethren made their way home in happy mood. You can view pictures of the presentations by following the links.

This meeting was poorly attended with only 36 brethren, including one visitor, a Past Master and Secretary from Lodge Loundoun Kilwinning No 51, signing the Attendance Book. This was mainly due to holidays and Rangers playing at home in Europe (from what we saw after the meeting, these brethren who went to Ibrox, would have been better entertained at the Lodge).

The RWM announced the death of Bro William McDowall on Monday from cancer. He joined the Lodge in February 1984 and was 70 years old. A minute's silence was observed by the brethren.

The plans for the degree were thrown into confusion when the WJW was forced to call off at the last minute due to illness ( we hope he is keeping a lot better). As he was conferring the bulk of the degree a major reshuffle was required and a couple of ancient PMs saved the day. The candidate, like the degree, was excellent and the brethren went to harmony in happy mood. This happy mood was then destroyed as we watched Rangers struggle to make an impression on an average European side. However, the patter and the strong drink were well appreciated and the brethren went home happy.

This was the lodge AGM which was attended by about 45 brethren with one visitor - the RWM Elect of Lodge The Duke of Hamilton No 1636 who received the best wishes of the brethren for his forthcoming installation.

The RWM announced the death of Bro John Cumming on Sunday . Bro John joined the Lodge in February 1946 and was 88 years old. Until recently, he was a regular attender at the Senior Citizens treat. A minute's silence was observed by the brethren.

The Annual General Meeting passed successfully with the Accounts being well received and all the offices filled and the RWM was congratulated by the Secretary on his handling of the evening. A relatively early finish meant time for a quick drink before an early departure from the Lodge.

The second meeting in November, on the coldest night of the winter so far, saw a total of 58 Brethren sign the Attendance Book including 13 visitors. (Six from Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305, Four from Lodge Heatheryknowe No 1461 and one each from Lodge St John Dalziel No 406, Lodge St Andrew Military No 668 and Lodge Concord No 1341) .

It was announced that Bro Kenneth D Kennedy PM who is presently Provincial Grand Master of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire, has been elected Junior Grand Warden in the Grand Lodge of Scotland and will be installed into the office at the Festival of St Andrew on Thursday 24 November. Bro Kenneth merits his high office for his dedication and hard work for Scottish Freemasonry, Grand Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge and Lodge Robert King Stewart - his mother lodge.

It was also announced that Bro Ian Mathew had been granted the freedom of Falkirk where he now resides.

The degree for the evening was a first degree by the Lodge office bearers conferred in an excellent manner on an attentive candidate who kept folding and unfolding his arms to the annoyance of the deacons.

After the Lodge was closed the brethren adjourned to the lounge for a drop of the hard stuff to keep out the cold.

Please contact Bro Nicoll Ross P.M. by email with your comments on this web site or for further information about Lodge Robert King Stewart No 919.