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On The Level |
Issue No. 2 January 2019
Fraternal Greetings to all Brethren of the Province
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Brethren, may I first take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you and your families a very happy and successful 2019 and I trust that you all had a very pleasant and joyful Festive Break. |
Recruitment – Retention – Education – Open Days
This is ongoing and I understand that a number of Lodges are showing an
interest in holding Open Days. There is also still potential for further
walk through Degrees to be held. For further information on either
please contact Brother Sandy Thomson SPGM at
sandy.thomson@blueyonder.co.uk.
Young Members Group
After the successful social evening in Lodge Polmont there are
plans to hold further such events. For further information please
contact Brother Brian Wright SPGM at
brian.wright93@yahoo.co.uk.
Secretaries and Treasurers Meeting
Provincial Grand Secretary and Treasurer and I have held 3
meetings with the Lodge Secretaries and Treasurers which were well
attended by the administration teams and which were very informative and
enlightening. They also provided a valuable opportunity for PGS and
Treasurer to interact with the Lodge administrative teams. My thanks go
to those that attended. It was clear that the Lodges have some common
issues some of which other Lodges have resolved and were able to pass on
assistance to those that have issues. PGS has disseminated comments from
those meetings to the Lodge Secretaries along with a Secretaries and
Treasurers Hand Book. I know that the dates did not suit everyone and it
is my intention to hold further such meetings in 2019.
It is the intention to establish a "centre" where the more specialist
talents within the Province could be harnessed i.e. PGS has knowledge of
the Licensing Legislation requirements, Graeme Russell (1456) and Gary
Smith (771) are happy to help with IT/web sites, social media, etc.
Anyone who can assist in making the administration of the Lodges easier
in any way by the use of their own specialist talents should contact
Brother Nicol Scobbie PGS at
n.scobbie@btinternet.com and maybe we can expand this "centre" of
knowledge.
Lottery/Raffle
Thank you again for the backing that you have given to the
Provincial Raffle and 275th Lottery and I hope that you will
continue to support it. Numbers for the Lottery may be obtained from
Brother William Reid at
billyreid1303@btinternet.com.
Special days
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Deputations from Grand Lodge of Scotland and
Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire along with Brethren from
both within and out with the Province enjoyed a memorable
evening. |
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There were also several various other
presentations made since the last newsletter at Lodge 531
(below), 1419(left) and 1456 (right) and I congratulate all
those Brethren who received distinction. |
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EVENTS - Charity
There is obviously a great deal of effort that goes into
organising the fund raising events within the Province, from the Divine
Service to the Bowling, Fishing and Golf, etc. for which I thank, not
only those who participate, but also those who organise and those who
donate to the worthy causes.
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PGS and PG Treasurer have done a resume of the
Donations made in 2018 and it amounted to a total of £11,484.80. Since
details were first recorded on the web site in 2011 Provincial Grand
Lodge has donated a total of £113,945.80 to various charities.
Details of 2018 donations can be found on the web site.
www.pgls.co.uk. A fantastic effort by all and I look forward to the
2019 events.
Hi-Viz Vest
Provincial Grand Lodge have been requested on a number of
occasions to assist in the stewarding of local charity events by
Strathcarron and Maggies. We have now acquired a number of hi-viz vests
with the PGL Logo and these are modeled in the photos by the Brethren.
My thanks go to those who turned up in support of those worthwhile
causes.
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PWebsite
Brother Graeme Russell is always looking for articles for the
PGL web site and FB group to keep it interesting and fresh not only for
you Brethren, but also for those of the general public who may come
across the work we do. Anything therefore of interest should be sent to
Bro Graeme and PGS for possible inclusion.
stirlingshireweb@blueyonder.co.uk.
Travelling Gavel
Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle had the Travelling Gavel in
their possession at the time when Brother Colin Wyse received his 70
year presentation and as a token of gratitude to Brother Wyse they
handed over the Gavel to Lodge St Servanus No 771.
At the time of sending out this newsletter the Gavel was still with
Lodge St Servanus No 771 awaiting claiming by a visiting Lodge.
I am pleased to see that the Lodges in the Province are still
participating. The current location of the gavel can always be found on
the Provincial Grand Lodge website www.pgls.co.uk.
Installations
A good number of Lodges have had their Annual Installations by
now and I would once again congratulate all Masters and Lodge Office
Bearers on their Installation into Office and wish them and their
respective Lodges every success and enjoyment during their term of
Office. I would also like to thank all Provincial Grand Office Bearers
for their support on these and all other occasions.
Details of forthcoming Installations and also details of Provincial
Grand Lodge Annual Visitations can be found on the web site
www.pgls.co.uk.
Grand Lodge round–up
Grand Lodge Installation
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At the Regular Communication of Grand Lodge on Thursday 29th
November 2018, Brother Ramsay McGhee was installed as Grand
Master. I, on behalf of the Province, congratulate Brother
McGhee and hopefully look forward to his attendance at events
within our Province. |
I was also delighted that Grand Lodge accepted my recommendations for
the award of Honorary Grand Rank. Congratulations to Brother James Reid
PM, Lodge St Andrew (Denny & Loanhead) No 176 (Honorary Grand Director
of Ceremonies) and Brother Hamilton McGlone PM, The Lodge of Alloa No 69
(Honorary Grand Junior Chaplain).
Anniversary Parade and Commemorative Service
A very well attended parade involving over 500 Freemasons took
place in George Street, Edinburgh on Sunday 4th November 2018
to mark the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I. This
was followed by an excellent commemorative service conducted by the
Reverend Canon Joseph Morrow in Grand Lodge. My thanks are given to all
those brethren who accompanied me on this occasion.
Constitution and Laws
A review of the Constitution and Laws is presently being
undertaken and will be issued in “Word” format by Grand Lodge when
approved.
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The Best Practice Guide
(incorporating the Etiquette and Web Site guidelines) has now
been issued by Grand Lodge and has been sent to every Lodge via
the Lodge Secretary and I would encourage every Brother to
obtain a copy, I suggest through the Lodge Secretary, or from
Grand Lodge direct, priced £3.00 with £1.00 going to Grand Lodge
Benevolence. Consideration should also to be given to present a
copy to each candidate after his initiation. |
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150th
Anniversary of the Wallace Monument
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A significant event in the history of the Province of
Stirlingshire will be marked in 2019 when the 150th
anniversary of the completion of the Wallace Monument in 1869
will be marked by events to be held on 11th September
2019. The foundation stone was laid by the then Grand Master
Brother George Murray, Lord Glenlyon (afterwards 6th
Duke of Atholl) on 24th June 1861. Between 7000 and
9000 people marched from Kings Park to the Abbey Craig that day.
Some 135 Lodges from all over Scotland were represented. |
Articles and Social Events
It is still my intention to publish suitable articles and advertise
social events from Lodges and Members in my Newsletter and also on the
web site and I hope that you will enter into the spirit by responding
directly to me.It is still my intention to publish suitable articles and
advertise social events from Lodges and Members in my Newsletter and
also on the web site and I hope that you will enter into the spirit by
responding directly to me.
atmarshall@hotmail.co.uk.
Up-Coming events
Lodge Callendar No 588 – Annual Burns Supper – 1st
February 2019
Lodge St Servanus No 771 – Annual Burns Supper – 15th
February 2019 - tickets from Douglas Buck 07747347454
Reigning Master’s Degree – Friday 26th April 2019 – The venue
to be confirmed at the Regular Communication.
Hirams Wheels – A 1st Degree will take place on the 21st
March 2019 in The Lodge of Alloa No 69 which will be conferred by the
Brethren who participated in the recent cycle events.
PGL 275th Whisky
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In a unique collaboration with the Hon. Alex Bruce-(MQ) & MD of Adelphi
Distillery, Provincial Grand Lodge are delighted to announce a bespoke
bottling of "The 275"- Luxury Blended Scotch Whisky celebrating 275
years of Freemasonry within the Province.
A luxury blend from Adelphi Private Stock each bottle is uniquely
hand-numbered & truly a wonderful keep-sake.
Priced at £25 per bottle with any surplus going towards the 275th
Celebrations of Provincial Grand Lodge - please place your order asap
for this very desirable bottle.
Confined to only 1 Batch of 275 Bottles-in the first instance, please
pre-order your bottle via Bro. N. Scobbie - PGS."
n.scobbie@btinternet.com.
This has been arranged by Brother Andrew Goodwin IPM, Lodge Zetland
No 391 and we are very grateful for his efforts.
They must be ordered through Provincial Grand Secretary only.
This is to avoid double bookings, confusion etc.
Bottle Number One has been signed by the Grand Master Mason and will be
auctioned/ raffled, at a later date. Totally unique.
Thanks
My thanks must go to those who have assisted in the preparation
and distribution of this newsletter
Fraternal Regards.
Brother Alistair T Marshall PGM