On The Level

Issue No. 2

January 2019

 Fraternal Greetings to all Brethren of the Province

For a printer friendly PDF copy click here

 

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.

I issued my first newsletter at the beginning of November and I have received some pretty good responses to it and I would thank all who have commented and shall try to take into account those comments. Any further comments or suggestions can be made through Brother Nicol Scobbie Provincial Grand Secretary (PGS) at n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

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 275^th 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

At the Regular Meeting of Lodge St. Servanus on Monday 12th November, Past Provincial Grand Master Colin T Wyse was presented with a Platinum Certificate marking 70 years a Mason and also with a platinum breast jewel. 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.

	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.

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.

I had the opportunity recently to present monies from the golfers and the bowlers to the various charities as shown.

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 Vests

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.

Website

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.

Grand Lodge round–up

Grand Lodge Installation

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 would also congratulate Past Provincial Grand Master John McKenzie, Past Master of Lodge Loch Lomond No 1483 on being installed as Grand Junior Deacon. 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 4^th November 2018 to mark the 100^th 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.

150^th Anniversary of the Wallace Monument

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.

RTICLES and SOCIAL EVENTSS

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 – 1^st February 2019
Lodge St Servanus No 771 – Annual Burns Supper – 15^th February 2019 - tickets from Douglas Buck 07747347454
Reigning Master’s Degree – Friday 26^th April 2019 – The venue to be confirmed at the Regular Communication.
Hirams Wheels – A 1^st Degree will take place on the 21^st March 2019 in The Lodge of Alloa No 69 which will be conferred by the Brethren who participated in the recent cycle events.

 Other events will be advertised as much as possible on Provincial Grand Secretaries diary of events, on the website and via social media.

PGL 275^th Whisky

Special bottles of the above are now available to mark the forthcoming 275^th Anniversary.
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