News from 2020
The links to years 2014 through to 2019 are after the following months of 2020 - Click on the link which interests you - the Year pages link to each other to make browsing easier.
All meetings, visitations and social events were cancelled in March for the foreseeable future as the coronavirus pandemic caused the lodge to close our doors to protect our community and ourselves.
June 2020
Monday 1st: It is with deep sadness that the Lodge intimates the passing to the Grand Lodge on High of Bro John Strachan PM. A much loved and respected Brother. His passing leaves his wife Emma and his family bereft of a good and honest man. After a long illness which deprived him of the pleasure he always took in attending meetings and visitations, on Tuesday 26th May 2020 Bro John finally laid aside his working tools and went home to Glory. His funeral was today at Cambusnethan Cemetery. Despite the strictures of Lockdown, a large number of family, friends and Lodge members gathered to bid farewell. Although it was a warm sunny day, the chill of being reminded of our own mortality touched all who were there.
March 2020
Monday 16th: Following guidance from Grand Lodge and HM Government, with immediate effect all Lodge meetings and visitations are cancelled until further notice.
Tuesday 10th: RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed all to the first meeting of March. After the usual business, RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed a distinguished deputation from The Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire (Middle Ward) headed by Substitute Provincial Grand Master Bro Stephen Campbell. The business of the deputation, being the Annual Report, was conducted in short order by SPGM Bro Stephen Campbell, who then spoke movingly about the loss of our RWM Bro William Napier. The Lodge was reduced to the EA degree and DoC Bro Jim Cathcart formally presented Bro Bert Alcorn PM to RWM Bro Ian Thompson who, in his unique style, related to the assembled brethren some of the details of Bro Alcorns masonic career. Accompanied by SPGM Bro Stephen Campbell and PGM Bro Bill Perry he presented Bro Alcorn with his diploma of Distinguished Service Membership. Bro Alcorn replied in a most amusing fashion and thanked the brethren of the lodge for the honour conferred.
The Office bearers of the Lodge then initiated Mr Kenneth James Thompson into Freemasonry in an exemplary fashion. Particular praise was lavished on both Bro Ryan Douglas and Bro Mark Logan as the youngest of the lecturers. As the meeting closed, all then retired to harmony to talk over the events of the evening and enjoy each others company once again.
Saturday 7th: Once again, like so many recent Burns Supper evenings, cauld Winter was howling, o'er moor and o'er mountain, And wild was the surge on the dark rolling sea.... But that didna mak ony difference as a grand gathering of oor ain folks began to arrive for the Lodge Burns Supper.
As Chairman for the evening, RWM Bro Ian Thompson warmly welcomed everyone and hoped they would all enjoy the dinner and entertainment of the evening.
The Haggis was piped in by Ryan Douglas (oor bonny wee piper!) and addressed and toasted by Archie Hall. Ian Thompson gave the Selkirk grace and all sat down to the dinner provided by United Services.
After dinner and the Loyal Toast, the Immortal Memory was proposed by Ryan Douglas and Andy Quinn toasted "The Lassies". As oor twa guid readers, both Archie Hall and Andy Quinn entertained us with more of Rabbies poems. And interwoven through it all was the delightful voice of oor Bonnie Lassie Singer Janet Anderson wha gave us "My love is like a red, red rose", "Coming through the rye" and "Ye banks and braes" each one a favourite of so many folks present.
The formal part of the evening passed all too quickly and drew to a close with the entire company singing The Star O' Rabbie Burns. Afterwards, much relaxed blethering and consumption of our national drink (Irn Bru!) ensued and all retired homeward, weel fed, weel watered and weel entertained. A great night and already looking forward to Burns Night 2021.
February 2020
Friday 28th: RWM Bro Ian Thompson headed a deputation to Lodge St John No.471 accompanied by 11 other Brethren and was warmly welcomed by RWM Bro Jack Alexander and the assembled Brethren. RWM Bro Jack Alexander assisted by his Chaplain and Junior Warden held a memorial service for IPM Bro Robert Whitefield and whilst doing so in a most excellent manner also mentioned the loss of our own RWM Bro Willie Napier. Such were the warm and heartfelt tributes paid by each speaker that more than one of the assembled brethren felt quite emotional. Thereafter RWM Bro Ian Thompson assisted by his degree team of Bro Ryan Douglas, Bro Mark Logan, Bro Ian Douglas PM and Bro Jim Finlay PM, delivered a full Entered Apprentice degree to volunteer candidate Bro Tom Forsyth At the conclusion of the degree, RWM Bro Ian Thompson congratulated Bro Forsyth thanked him for volunteering and introduced him to his own RWM Bro Jack Alexander who likewise thanked him on behalf of the lodge and presented him to the assembled Brethren. Resuming control of the lodge, RWM Bro Jack Alexander congratulated RWM Bro Ian Thompson and called the assembled brethren to give a warm vote of thanks to the degree team. At the close of the meeting, RWM Bro Jack Alexander invited all to harmony, and the warmth of the pies matched the warmth of our welcome into 471. A grand evening was had by all present.
Tuesday 25th: Acting RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed all to the second regular meeting of February. After the usual business, RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed a distinguished deputation from Lodge Motherwell Caledonian No.1228 headed by Acting RWM Bro Iain Anderson. RWM Bro Iain Anderson assisted by his excellent degree team, proceeded to deliver a most enjoyable exemplification of the FC degree on volunteer candidate Bro Billy Noble. RWM Bro Ian Thompson, on resuming control of the Lodge, congratulated RWM Bro Iain Anderson, thanked Bro Noble for volunteering, and called on the assembled brethren to congratulate RWM Bro iain Anderson and his excellent degree team for a good job well done. At the close of the meeting, all retired to harmony for a blether and a wee refreshment.
Wednesday 19th: RWM Bro Ian Thompson headed a deputation to Lodge Robert King Stewart No.919 accompanied by 11 other Brethren. After being welcomed by RWM Bro Robert Mathew and the assembled Brethren, RWM Bro Ian Thompson assisted by his degree team of Bro Tom Gilfillan PM, Bro Ian Douglas, Bro Willie Jackson PM and Bro Jim Finlay PM, delivered a comprehensive FC degree to volunteer candidate Bro Phil Biggerstaff. At the conclusion of the degree, RWM Bro Ian Thompson congratulated Bro Biggerstaff, thanked him for volunteering and introduced him to his own RWM Bro Robert Mathew who likewise thanked him on behalf of the lodge and presented him to the assembled Brethren. Resuming control of the lodge, RWM Bro Robert Mathew congratulated RWM Bro Ian Thompson and called the assembled brethren to give a warm vote of thanks to the degree team. At the close of the meeting, RWM Bro Robert Mathew invited all to harmony, and all were well provided for in 919s customary manner.
Tuesday 11th: RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed all to the first meeting of February and thanked all who attended on a windy and wintry night. Although the storms outside showed no sign of abating, the planned visitation was to be a Mark degree by Lodge Union No.244 from Stonehouse. Alas, there being already one and a half inches of snow lying in Stonehouse and snowing heaving, with discretion being the better part of valour, RWM Bro James Macgregor called off the visitation. Safety of the travelling brethren was the primary concern of all of us. A mutually agreeable date will be found later. With little in the way of other business, and the lodge closed, the brethren present resorted to scoffing considerable quantities of Bro Berts well-renowned soup, before battling their way home.
Thursday 6th: RWM Bro Ian Thompson headed a deputation to Lodge St Mary No.31 accompanied by 11 other Brethren. After being welcomed by RWM Bro Scott Pollock and the assembled Brethren, RWM Bro Ian Thompson assisted by his degree team of Bro Tom Gilfillan PM, Bro Ryan Douglas, Bro Willie Jackson PM and Bro Jim Finlay PM, delivered a comprehensive FC degree to volunteer candidate Bro Sam Howie. At the conclusion of the degree, RWM Bro Ian Thompson congratulated Bro Howie, thanked him for volunteering and introduced him to his own RWM Bro Scott Pollock who likewise congratulated him and presented him to the assembled Brethren. Resuming control of the lodge, RWM Bro Scott Pollock congratulated RWM Bro Ian Thompson and called the assembled brethren to give a warm vote of thanks to the degree team. At the close of the meeting, RWM Bro Scott Pollock invited all to harmony, and all were well provided for in 31s customary manner.
Monday 3rd: RWM Bro Ian Thompson headed a deputation to Lodge Mauldslie Castle No.1630 accompanied by 11 other Brethren. After being welcomed by RWM Bro Iain Morrison and the assembled Brethren, RWM Bro Ian Thompson assisted by his degree team of Bro Ian Douglas PM, Bro Tom Gilfillan PM, Bro Ryan Douglas, Bro Willie Jackson PM and Bro Jim Finlay PM, delivered a comprehensive FC degree to volunteer candidate Bro Henry Forgie. At the conclusion of the degree, RWM Bro Ian Thompson congratulated Bro Forgie, thanked him for volunteering and introduced him to his own RWM Bro Iain Morrison who likewise congratulated him and presented him to the assembled Brethren. Resuming control of the lodge, RWM Bro Iain Morrison congratulated RWM Bro Ian Thompson and called the assembled brethren to give a warm vote of thanks to the degree team. At the close of the meeting, RWM Bro Iain Morrison invited all to harmony, and all were well provided for in 1630s customary manner. Much blethering ensued and links between the two Lodges were again strengthened.
January 2020
Tuesday 28th: RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed all to the second meeting of January, and after the usual business, welcomed a distinguished deputation from Lodge Bishopbriggs No.1259 headed by their RWM Bro Tony Taylor. RWM Bro Tony Taylor assisted by his excellent degree team, proceeded to pass volunteer candidate Bro Derek Davidson to the degree of Fellowcraft in an excellent manner with an exemplary degree. The attentive silence of all of the company assembled to witness the degree, spoke volumes for the quality of each lecturer and the degree as a whole. RWM Bro Ian Thompson, on resuming control of the Lodge, congratulated RWM Bro Tony Taylor and called on the assembled brethren to congratulate RWM Bro Tony Taylor and his excellent degree team for a superb degree. At the close of the meeting, all retired to harmony and the link between the two lodges grew stronger.
Tuesday 14th: Previous to the Lodge being opened, Bro Secretary advised all present on the protocal following the sad and untimely death of our RWM Bro William Napier, and referred to the relevant Laws. As a formal request from the brethren of the Lodge, he asked Bro Ian Thompson IPM if he would assume the duties of the chair. Bro Ian Thompson IPM agreed and Bro Secretary thanked him of behalf of the Lodge. Bro Ian Thompson will now be referred to as our RWM.
Thereafter, RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed all to the first meeting in January and gave a heartfelt eulogy for RWM Bro William Napier. Bro Robert Napier likewise gave an achingly emotional eulogy for his father.
After the usual business, RWM Bro Ian Thompson welcomed a large and distinguished deputation from Lodge St Mary No.31 headed by their RWM Bro Scott Pollock who, assisted by his degree team, conferred an excellent exemplification of the EA degree on volunteer candidate Bro Craig Barrie. At the conclusion of the ceremony, RWM Bro Scott Pollock congratulated Bro Barrie, thanked him for volunteering, and presented him to RWM Bro Ian Thompson, who likewise thanked him and presented him to the assembled Brethren. At the close of the meeting, all retired to harmony and much chat and reminiscing on recent events ensued and the long established links joining the two lodges grew ever stronger.
Saturday 11th: As a celebration of his life, the funeral of RWM Bro William Napier was held at 10:30am in Holytown Crematorium. A very large number of Brethren in regalia attended to form the honour guard which, because of the heavy rain, was formed inside the building. RWM Bro Napier made his last journey home surrounded by the members of his Lodge and so many other lodges. The crematorium was full to overflowing. His eulogy, written by his two sons, was a brief look at the life story of a gentleman and a gentle man, and it brought smiles and even some laughter to the listeners. Our memories of our RWM will be warmly cherished and he has a special place in our hearts.
His family have expressed their deep gratitude to all who attended.
Saturday 4th: The funeral of our RWM Bro William Napier will be held on Saturday 11th January 2020 at 10:30am in Holytown Crematorium. His family have requested a guard of honour to receive the hearse carrying Bro Napier on his final journey home. Dispensation has already been granted by Provincial Grand Lodge for all brethren who wish to do so.
It is a thankfully rare event to have a funeral of a Reigning Master. A good attendance of Brethren in regalia will show the family and the world the respect in which RWM Bro Napier is held.
News Items from some of 2014 - Website did not exist before September 2014