Lodge Visitations P3

On Friday 4th November 2022 Brother Charlie Macvicar Almoner Lodge Carron No.139, travelled to Preston with Brethren from other Scottish freemasonry Lodges, RWM Brother James White No.1520, Brother Tom Lynch PM No.579, Brother Russell Parsons No.579,Bro John Hauton No.1229, Brother Gary Neilson No 7 breakfast was at the Angles Hotel, stopped at the truck stop on the M74 We arrived at Preston Holiday Inn Hotel, we had a few refreshments , then got dressed and then  visited the Province of West Lancashire, Lodge of Endeavour No 7036 for The Act of Remembrance Service. All visitors were warmly welcome into the Lodge Temple by there own W.Brother Carl Walkden, and Brethren of Lodge of Endeavour No.7036, the WM then closed the working of the Lodge to allow families and friends to come in for the remembrance Service begin. It is the first time I have been to a remembrance service like this one!! ot was very respectful and very moving, brought a tear’s too your eyes, the Family of Brother Tony Stirling an ex veteran who passed away during Covid, his wife read out to us about Brother Tony Stirling's life. She was very brave, Brother Tony would have been very proud off her. I was given the honour and privilege to reply on behalf of the visitors on this very moving service as a veteran of the 1st Battalion the Royal Scots, the Royal Regiment, thank you WM Brother Carl Walkden for the opportunity it made me humble to be a part of this remembrance Service. It was brilliant to see our old friend Major (Ret) Stuart Simpson  PM1RS, as DC, carried out is duties in a military and professional manner so proud of Brother Stuart, what a great chat we had about old times, the hospitality and the sit down meal was outstanding, also  congratulations to the caterer’s. In our group we won a few raffle prizes. I presented a few gifts to the WM and DC from myself, plus Brother Tom Lynch No.579 also presented two gifts as well, then we retired to the lounge for a we sing song or two, well done Brother Tom outstanding singing but Brother Russell Parsons singing if you could call it this!! and his dancing was very funny congratulations to the actors that took part. It was a brilliant few days with new and old friends and memories to last a lifetime, Will be back next year!! Thanks again Brother Tom Lynch PM No.579 for allowing me to be a part of this experience. UTR,SMIB pictures with permission.

On Tuesday 1st November 2022, WSW Brother George Mawhinnie, Brother Charlie Macvicar Almoner & Brother Allan Baxter JD Lodge Carron 139 visited Lodge Caldercruix St John No.1314. We entered with a large deputation from Lodges within and outwith the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward. Lodge Bothwell Brig No.1229 was headed by their Secretary Brother John Furlong to confer the EA degree on one candidate. We were warmly welcomed into the Temple by RWM Brother Paul McClintock and the Brethren of No.1314. The EA degree was carried out to a very high standard by acting RWM Brother John Furlong (Master Elect No.1229) and his degree team. We  were invited to remain behind for Lodge hospitality. Many thanks RWM Brother Paul McClintock and Brethren of No.1314 for an outstanding night and meeting with old and new friends, good luck for the future RWM when you vacate the chair of King Solomon in December 10th 2022. photos with kind permission

On Saturday 29th October 2022 at 5pm I visited the Installation of Master Elect Brother Duncan Osborne PM of Lodge St. Andrew’s Military No.668 at the Masonic Hall, Wellgate Street, Larkhall and warmly welcomed into Lodge St. Andrew’s Military No.668 by the retiring RWM Brother John Jack Cheape there was a large deputation from Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire Middle Ward headed by the WSPGM Brother Gordon Mather. RWIM Brother Kenneth Dalzell PM 88, and RWIM Brother Scott Campbell PM No.233 carried out the Installation Ceremony to a very high standard, the new RWM Brother Duncan Osborne PM was a very proud man in the way the Installing Masters carried out this Ceremony. The WSPGM added to the comments previously made and congratulated the two Installing Masters on an excellent Installation Ceremony and congratulated also the new RWM Brother Duncan Osborne No.668 on taking the chair of King Solomon, who in turn thanked all visitors from within and outwith the Province. I personally would like to thank the WSPGM for the kind words to myself in the Temple and for acknowledging Lodge Carron No.139 from the Stirlingshire Province. We then were invited to accept Lodge  hospitality. I carried out a few presentations to the RWM No.668, and IPM Brother John Jack Cheap PM  and was taken aback when IPM presented me with a gift from himself and the Lodge Brethren No.668 for what I have done as Almoner No.139 and a Brother of Freemasonry. Thanks to you all No.668, I am so honoured and privileged to be given an excellent gift it was great meeting old friends and making new ones and having memories off the day. Wishing you RWM No.668 and your Officebearers and Brethren for the future 2022/2023. Lodge Almoner Charlie macVicar No.139. Photos with kind permission

On Thursday 29th September 2022 we visited Lodge Bannockburn Bruce & Thistle No.312 with our RWM Brother Jim MacAauly, WSW Brother George Mawhinnie, Almoner Brother Charlie MacVicar and JD Brother Alan Baxter of Lodge Carron No.139 all visitors were  warmly welcomed by the RWM, Officebearers and Brethren of No.312 we witnessed an excellent FC degree conferred by Lodge No.312 their RWM was a proud man and congratulated his degree team. Thanks for the excellent hospitality and Brother Allan Baxter was overwhelmed that he won a raffle prize. Pictures with permission.

Friday 9th September 2022-Sunday 11th September 2022

Due to the untimely passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the correct decision to suspend all Masonic activity the 8 Brethren from Lodge Carron No.139 were actually in the premises of Lodge Hibernian No.95 in Cork preparing to confer the 3rd Degree when hearing the news sadly had to dramatically alter our plans. Complying with the direction from our GMM we merely enjoyed the pleasure and company of several members of Lodge Hibernian and the Province of Munster who gave us an eye opening tour of the Temple. The Craft Temple and Chapter Temples left each of us in awe. Absolutely wonderful history in both and a must to see. Pleasantries and gifts were exchanged and very well received by both parties. We all then sojourned to several local watering holes and enjoyed some great craic. Today Saturday 1oth the Brethren are popping down to Cove to visit the Titanic museum, nipping back to Tuckey Street for a purvey and then away to watch a game of hurling and a shandy or two. Very unfortunate, but as said, understandable and we will look at returning under more happy circumstances to confer said 3rd Degree. A massive thanks to our Piper Brother Gavin Richardson for arranging this trip and to Brother Fraser Sim RWM Shamrock Lodge No.27    ( MM Lodge St John Slamannan 484) for showing us the bonny sites of the surrounding area. God Bless the King. RWM Brother Jim MacAulay.

Selection of photos to LodgeBothwell Brig No.1229 on Tuesday 27th September 2022 (photos by kind permission)