As I now enter my last few months as Provincial Grand Master I am looking forward to what remains in my term of Commission.

The four previous issues of my newsletter appear to have been received well and I continue to get favourable reports on them and again I would thank all who have commented. Any further comments or suggestions can be made through Brother Nicol Scobbie Provincial Grand Secretary (PGS) at n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

I would also ask all to consider what they would like to see in the Province to either get in touch with myself or Provincial Grand Secretary and we can discuss. It is your Province Brethren.

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.

Awards in the Province

Several special presentations have taken place since my last Newsletter.

There has also been a number of long service awards been made throughout the Province and I would also like to again congratulate those Brethren and thank them for their continued support to their Mother Lodges.

Charity Events

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.

The Bowlers of the Province presented to Killearn Guides/Brownies and Rainbows and to Killearn Golden Age Group cheques for £1100.00,

whilst the Anglers donated £1100 to Quiet Waters, Camelon

Again this year Provincial Grand Secretary and Treasurer and the Webmaster have been totting up the Charitable donations which Provincial Grand Lodge have made over 2019 and it comes to an amazing sum of £9,720.47. Since the Webmaster has started adding this info to the web site in 2011 Provincial Grand Lodge has donated to various Charities from the likes of the Golf, Fishing, Bowling etc. a total of £123,666.

Details of 2019 donations and the previous years can be found by clicking here. A fantastic effort by all and I look forward to the 2020 events.

Travelling Gavel

The Travelling Gavel is still being pursued and since my last newsletter it has been to Lodges 1456, 793, 391, 484 where they held it 1 day before going back to 391 who subsequently handed it over to Lodge Carron No 139. 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 by clicking here.

Annual Installations

Almost all of the Lodges have now had their Annual Installations for the 2019-2020 season, only 2 left at Lodges 76 and 1419, 1483’s having been postponed until October, and again 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. There are some images and a video of the images on the web site of all of the Installation to view click here.

Strathcarron Hospice Challenge

Brother Lenny McCombs, Past Master of Lodge Slamannan No 484, PG Junior Chaplain, initiative to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice. Now stands at a fantastic sum of £16,566. I understand it will be coming to a close shortly and there will be a presentation to Strathcarron. See current total by clicking here.

Website

Brother Graeme Russell has refreshed the Web site. The background colour and font colour were changed as he had been advised that the yellow writing on the green background was difficult to read for those Brethren with impaired vision. He assures me that it can be changed back fairly easily if desired. Please pass on any comments regarding the new look direct to Brother Graeme at stirlingshireweb@blueyonder.co.uk. He is always looking for articles for the 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/or Provincial Grand Secretary for possible inclusion. stirlingshireweb@blueyonder.co.uk and/or n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

Grand Lodge Round Up.

Charitable Giving Returns from Lodges

There is still a poor return response from Lodges to Grand Lodge of charitable donations. 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 still on going and when approved by Grand Lodge will be in issued in electronic format if required.

Grand Lodge Events

Grand Lodge Divine Service

Grand Lodge will be holding a Divine Service at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday 29^th March 2020 at 2.00pm. It is a ticket only event and tickets should be requested through your Lodge Secretary. Please note the service is restricted to members of the Craft and regalia is to be worn.

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.

I would also be grateful if those who are holding fund raising events would advise PGS in order that he can include those events in his regular events diary. This hopefully will generate additional support from PGL and the Sister Lodges and possibly avoid clashes.

New Provincial Grand Master

As most will be aware Brother Gordon Sewell Past Master of Lodge St. John Tulliallan No 598 and currently my Depute has been now formally confirmed by Grand Lodge as the new Provincial Grand Master of the Province and I wish him well.

Brother Sewell’s Installation and the Installation of the Commissioned Office Bearers will take place in the Dobbie Hall, Larbert on Saturday 20^th June 2020. Further details will be issued via the usual channels when all is confirmed.

Up and Coming Events

Saturday 15^th February – 275th Anniversary Celebrations of the Provincial Grand Lodge. Re-dedication Ceremony in Lodge Zetland conferred by Grand Lodge followed by an Anniversary Dinner. I understand there may still be a few tickets left. Please contact Provincial Grand Secretary for further details n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

Saturday 29^th February - AGM of Provincial Grand Lodge will take place in the premises of Lodge Zetland No 391. 1:00pm tyle.

Sunday 1^st March - 275th Anniversary Divine Service to be held in Denny Parish Church. 2:00pm for a 2:30pm Service

Friday 24^th April - Reigning Master’s Degree to be held in and hosted by Lodge Polmont No 793.

Sunday 3^rd May - PGL Golf at Braehead Golf Club, at Cambus by Alloa. Shotgun Start at 8:30am.

Saturday 6^th June - PGL Fishing at Black Loch Fishery, Limerigg 9am – 4pm.

Saturday 20^th June - Installation of the Commissioned Office Bearers, Dobbie Hall, Larbert.

Sunday 9^th August - PGL Bowling at Falkirk Bowling Club, hosted by Lodge Camelon 1456

Full details of these events will be sent by the relevant Committees or by Provincial Grand Secretary to the Secretaries of your Lodge.

I would ask that all the Lodges support these events and if any Lodge is holding any other such events let me know as they can be advertised in my newsletter, and on the web site and Facebook page. You never know your event could get some support from other Lodges..

PGL Year Book

The Provincial Grand Lodge Year book will soon be published with a copy being sent to all members of Provincial Grand Lodge and all Lodge Secretaries. I am sure you will appreciate that the cost of producing and distributing this document is expensive and I have been considering including advertisements within the book, at a small cost, to try and offset these costs. Any Brother that is interested in taking out space for advertising can you please contact PGS who will discuss layout and cost. n.scobbie@btinternet.com.

On a personal note, I am planning to take part in an abseil from the Forth Bridge on Sunday the 10^th May. This has been organised by Grand Lodge and all monies raised will be donated to Prostate Cancer Scotland. I would appreciate as much support from the Province as possible either by donating to the cause or by being there on the day. A just giving page or something similar will be sent up soon to allow you to donate and I shall advise the details as soon as possible.

Thanks

In conclusion Brethren, as I wind down before June, I would again take this opportunity to thank all of the Lodges for their support and friendship.

My thanks must also go to those who have assisted me in the preparation and distribution of this e-mail, in particular, Brother Graeme Russell PM 1456 and PGL Webmaster and PGS Brother Nicol Scobbie.

Fraternal Regards.

Brother Alistair T. Marshall PGM