News from 2014
December 2014:
Tuesday 16th: The annual Christmas Prize Draw took place at 9pm. Thanks to all the many Brethren who donated a host of prizes for the draw. A tidy sum was added to the Lodge coffers and was well appreciated (especially by our Treasurer!!). Now is the time to relax and enjoy the festive season with family and friends.
Tuesday 9th: Our newly installed RWM Bro Jim Finlay conducted his first meeting since being installed. A distinguished deputation from Lodge St. Mary No.31 headed by RWM Bro Alex Fenton carried out an excellent exemplification of the EA degree which was well received by the assembled Brethren. Notice of Motion to revise our bye-laws and bring them up to date was passed unanimously.
Saturday 6th: The Annual Installation of our new RWM and Officebearers took place at 5:30pm. Attending were a goodly number of visitors and a large and distinguished deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire (Middle Ward) headed by Substitute Provincial Grand Master Bro Jim Ferguson. The Installing Masters of the evening Bro Scott McKittrick PM and Bro Jim Cathcart PM delivered an exceptional Installation Ceremony which was warmly received by the new RWM, his Officebearers and all Brethren present. Afterwards, all retired to an excellent dinner and spent a very pleasant evening listening to some speeches and having a right good blether with one another. Our new RWM hopes that the rest of his year will be as successful as the Installation, and he sends an early Christmas Greeting to all of our readers.
November 2014:
On the 25th, RWM Bro Ian Thompson had his last Regular Meeting which was an exemplification of the FC degree by Lodge Bishopbriggs No.1259. An excellent degree and well received by the Brethren. After the degree, RWM had a wee practice at his "greetin speech" for the Installation night. The Brethren assembled had a wee practice at greetin!
With deep regret the Lodge intimates the passing to the Grand Lodge above of our dear Brother Willie McLean. Brother McLean has been ill for some time, and his last few months have been especially difficult. His departure from this life leaves his wife and family bereft of a good man. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. As a Celebration of his life, his funeral was held on Friday 14th November in Cleland Parish Church at 2:30pm, thereafter to Holytown Crematorium. Both Church and Crematorium were full with so many friends bidding Willie adieu. We will meet again.
On Tuesday 4th November, RWM Bro Ian Thompson headed his last visitation of his year as our RWM. We visited Lodge Clydesdale No.551 to confer an EA degree, and a goodly number of Lodge Murdostoun Castle members formed the deputation. The intervisits have been ongoing for close to 40 years, and as RWM Bro Ian Thompson was the first 1096 RWM to make a visit to Lodge Clydesdale, he paid tribute to all the RWMs and Brethren of both Lodges through the years who have kept this link between the Lodges active.
October 2014:
It is with deep regret we intimate the passing to the Grand Lodge above of our dear Brother Jim Caldwell. As a Celebration of his life, his funeral took place at Newarthill & Carfin Parish Church on Saturday 18th October at 9:45am. A great many friends and former workmates came to bid adieu. There were no farewells, this was only a temporary parting until that day comes when we are reunited. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
RWM Ian Thompson headed a deputation into Lodge Lockhart St.John, Carnwath to confer a Fellowcraft degree. This was the first visit of Lodge Murdostoun Castle to Lodge Lockhart St.John and the visit was much enjoyed by both Lodges. A new linkage has been established and we look forward to welcoming Lodge Lockhart St.John back to visit us in September 2015
September 2014:
* A BIG thank you to all who entered our World Cup Forecast competition. There were 187 entrants all trying their best to win a prize. Mind you, there were some weird and wonderful "guesstimates" of some of the scores.
Congratulations to Jordan Chambers (£230), Nathan Hadden (£140) and Paul Hughes (£95) for excellent forecasting and choosing Germany to be the winning team. And tough luck to Rank Bajin who came top of the forecast scores but chose the wrong team to be the winner! BTW he is still in the huff!
* Our Wardens and Deacons chairs have been refurbished during recess. Looking really nice now. The Deacons chairs were gifted to the Lodge by Bro Forgie Strachan P.M. in preparation for the opening of our current Temple in Thistle Street in 1971. Still working on discovering the provenance of the Wardens chairs.
The Deacons chairs are made of mahogany and look stunning having been stripped, sealed and lacquered. The Wardens chairs are made of oak and are likewise a delight to see in their original condition - well apart from the melamine lacquer protecting them. Maybe they will last till our next Centenary!
And just to keep wee soft bottoms happy, all four chairs now have new cushions.
Before September 2014:
Not much news from before September 2014. Website did not exist until then. I guess the news item is that the Lodge has decided to invest in a website!