On The Level

Issue No. 1

November 2018

 Fraternal Greetings to all Brethren of the Province

For a printer friendly PDF copy click here

 

This is my first issue of a newsletter that I hope that you will find both interesting and useful. It is a sincere attempt on my part to interact with you and at the same time receive back from you, your thoughts, observations and aspirations in Masonic matters relevant to the Province. I shall continue to produce further editions from time to time and tailor it dependent on your feedback and observations. These may be made to Brother Nicol Scobbie P.G. Secretary at n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

I am very conscious that there are number of matters in the Province that require the attention of all of us at the present time and so I have set up a number of initiatives:

Recruitment – Retention – Education

It has become apparent from the Lodge annual returns that the number of Candidates passing through Lodges is falling and that the attendance of those new members very quickly tails off. In other words there appears to be a recruitment and retention problem in some but not all Lodges. I have therefore set up a Group to look at these two aspects coupled with that of Education under the chairmanship of Brother Sandy Thomson WSPGM. This Group has produced a “Best Practice Guide” based on feedback from various Lodges in the Province and this has been circulated to Lodges. Let me emphasise that this is not an attempt on my part to meddle in the operation of Lodges but rather to offer various suggestions based on what Daughter Lodges consider good practice.

A successful “Walk through” Degree was recently presented at Lodge Stirling Royal Arch No. 76 and was well received by six new members and others who attended. This can be rolled out to other Lodges on request to Brother Sandy Thomson WSPGM at sandy.thomson@blueyonder.co.uk.

Young Members Group

Brother Brian Wright WSPGM leads a second Group to target the new and younger members in Lodges. A number of meetings of the Group have been held in order to pull together ideas and to consider how best to connect with them. A successful social evening was recently held at Lodge Polmont No. 793 and others will follow. Please contact Brother Brian Wright WSPGM at brian.wright93@yahoo.co.uk.  

Secretaries and Treasurers Meeting

We are now in the electronic age. There is therefore an increasing demand on Lodge Secretaries and Treasurers to comply when making Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge returns. There is also a considerable amount of new legislation in relation to data protection etc. Therefore I have set up a series of seminars where advice and training will be provided and Lodge Office-bearers concerns will be addressed through the Provincial Grand Secretary and Treasurer. The first of these will be held in Lodge Polmont No 793, the next in Lodge Ancient Stirling No.30 and a 3rd in Lodge Clackmannan No 1303. Details of dates and times have been sent to the Lodge Secretary.

Open Meetings/Open Days

I am keen that Lodges should promote Open Days and Open Meetings where the work of the Lodge can be displayed and explained to the public. A number of other Provinces such as those of Fife and Kinross and Linlithgowshire have already done so to good effect with new Candidates and enquiries of interest being the result. A general indication of how to go about it can be obtained from Brother Sandy Thomson WSPGM at sandy.thomson@blueyonder.co.uk.

Lottery/Raffle

Thank you very much for the backing that you have given to the Provincial Raffle and Lottery and I hope that you will continue to support it. Tickets may be obtained from Brother William Reid at billyreid1303@btinternet.com. Now is the right time to take out membership of the lottery as dues are now due for next season.

Special Days

Many congratulations to Lodge Polmont No. 793 and Lodge St. John Slamannan No. 484 on reaching the historic landmarks of 125 years and 150 years respectively. I enjoyed both days very much indeed. Well done to the organisers from both Lodges.

On Saturday 22nd September 2018 Provincial marked 100 years since the end of World War One at a wreath laying Ceremony at the War Memorial in Cowie.
The event was very well received and attended by Provincial Grand Lodge and the Lodges in the Province.
Amongst the dignitaries present were the The Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Alan Simpson, The Provost of Falkirk, William Buchanan, The Provost of Clackmannanshire, Tina Murphy, Falkirk Councillor, James Kerr, Stirling Councillor, Maureen Bennison & Brother David A. Reid, Grand Sword Bearer.
Also present were a number of Brethren from Widows Sons Scotland who have attended similar ceremonies in every province in Scotland and have raised circa £60,000 for Poppy Scotland. Due to his support for these events Brother David A. Reid, Grand Sword Bearer was made an Honorary Member of Widows Sons Scotland.

Events

This year as in past years the Province held several fund raising events, such as Golf, Bowling, Fishing, Church Service, etc. These events have raised substantial amounts and the monies raised was distributed to various charities. My thanks to all who organised and participated in them.

Travelling Gavel

I am pleased to see that some Lodges in the Province have taken advantage of the concept of the Travelling Gavel to promote inter-lodge harmony and swell their Lodge attendances. The current location of the gavel can be seen by clicking the gavel.

Length of Meetings

I am conscious that older members prefer meetings to be as short as possible for various reasons. I have therefore reduced the time it takes for Provincial Grand Lodge to enter and leave the Lodge while on an Annual Visit.

Website Page

Brother Graeme Russell has recently revamped the front end of the Website to the benefit of the user and a number of other changes will follow – your comments and suggestions to him would be most welcome. Brother Graeme can be contacted at stirlingshireweb@blueyonder.co.uk.

PGL 275th Lottery

October Winners

At the Regular Communication of Provincial Grand Lodge held on Thursday 25th October 2018 the  draw took place for the 275th Lottery. The winners were:-

Bro S Cowie 1474	£100.00
Bro M Grover 911	£75.00
Bro W C Hardie 1419	£50.00
Lodge Ancient Stirling 30	£25.00
Bro W Stevenson 531	£25.00

Provincial Grand Lodge Bye-laws

The PGL bye-laws are currently being amended. An e-copy of the revised PGL bye laws are available from Provincial Grand Secretary at n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

 

 

Grand Lodge round–up

At the Regular Communication of Grand Lodge Brother Ramsay McGhee was nominated and Elected as Most Worshipful Grand Master and will be installed at the Annual Installation of Grand lodge on Thursday  29^th November 2018. Upon his election Brother McGhee issued the following statement.

 “Good morning everyone - it is now Monday Morning and I have been totally overwhelmed by the number of emails, face book messages, phone calls and personal messages received since Thursday's meeting of Grand Lodge - we have now reached the 600 mark. Can I take this opportunity to thank you all for your kindness, thoughtfulness and for your friendship which I greatly value. I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead and the responsibility that will now rest with me but with the support I have received since Thursday I have no doubt that working together we can take Scottish Freemasonry forward in a positive and upbeat manner. Thank you for your support - it really is greatly appreciated.”

Retiring Grand Secretary

Brother David Begg has now retired and a presentation will be made to him once he is well enough to attend Grand Lodge to receive it.

New Grand Secretary

The appointment of our new Grand Secretary, Brother J. Euan Edment, was formally confirmed and ratified by Grand Committee on 14 June 2018.

Brother Edment is a solicitor and was formally senior partner of a firm of solicitors in Glasgow. He is also a part time Sheriff having held part time judicial office for the last 20 years.

His mother Lodge is Lodge St. John No. 187, Carluke. He was initiated in 1990 and served as RWM in 1998/1999 and again in 2012/2013. He has been Provincial Grand Organist of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire Upper Ward, since May 1991 and is also Provincial Grand Organist of the Royal Order of Scotland in the Province of Glasgow and West of Scotland.

2000 Club

The June 2018 “2000 Club” Draw was made by the Grand Master Mason, the winners being:

210	Provincial Grand Lodge of Kincardineshire	£600
3320	Lodge Lochiel No. 1200, Banavie	£500
4449	Andrew Johnston, Edinburgh	£400
2319	Lodge Craigends, No. 1042, Linwood	£300
2704	John McKenzie, Greenock	£200

Overseas Visits

District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada - 150th Celebration and Rededication Ceremony of the District Grand Lodge.

Lebanon - Installation of the new District Grand Master

Charitable Giving Returns from Lodges

There has been a poor return response from Lodges (11.11%).

The reason behind the request to daughter Lodges to provide details of their charitable giving is simply so that an accurate reflection of the sums involved can be reported as required. I would urge all Lodges to make a return to Grand Lodge this year.

Constitution and Laws

A review of the Constitution and Laws is presently being undertaken and will be in “Word” format.

Christmas Concert

A Christmas concert has been scheduled for Sunday, 9 December 2018. The Phoenix Choir will again perform.

Autumn Open Day

The Autumn Open Day is to be held on Saturday, 10 November 2018 from 12 noon. Brother Alberto Massimo is to be asked to attend to play the organ and the Grand Lodge shop will be open.

Working Party on Masonic Education

Copies of the final version the Best Practice Guide (incorporating the Etiquette and Web Site guidelines) are to be sent to every lodge. Consideration is also to be given as to whether the Lodges should present a copy to each candidate after his initiation.

Articles from Lodges and Members

It is my intention to publish suitable articles from Lodges and Members in my Newsletter and I hope that you will enter into the spirit the thing by responding directly to me.

Social Events in Lodges

I will also consider advertising forthcoming social functions in Lodges within this newsletter and on the website if you consider that this would be a good idea. Please let me know your thoughts.

There is also a facility to include articles and social events on the website.

Up-Coming events

Monday 12th November – There will be a 70 year presentation to Past Provincial Grand Master Brother Colin T Wyse at Lodge St Servanus No 771.

Thursday 15th November – There will be a Distinguished Service Diploma presentation at Lodge Buchannan Killearn No 1419

Thursday 22nd November - There will be three 50 year diplomas presented at Lodge Camelon No 1456

Sunday 2nd December – Provincial Grand Lodge are assisting in the Stewarding for the Elf run in aid of Maggie’s Centre. Anyone able to assist please contact me at atmarshall@hotmail.co.uk.

Thanks

My thanks must go to those who have assisted in the preparation and distribution of this newsletter, in particular, Brother Sandy Thomson, WSPGM, Brother Graeme Russell PM and PGL webmaster, Brother John Ling WSW and PGS Brother Nicol Scobbie.

 

Fraternal Regards.

Brother Alistair T. Marshall RWPGM