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Provincial News
On Friday 9th July 2010, Mrs Charles Wolridge Gordon, wife of The Grand Master Mason, opened the new conservatory extension to Sir James Mackay House, the Scottish Masonic Home at Ravelston Dykes, Edinburgh.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian and Berwickshire is one of five Provincial Grand Lodges who undertook to fund and build, in conjunction with Grand Lodge, this much needed extension to the home. The Provincial Grand Lodges concerned are East Lothian and Berwickshire, Edinburgh, Fife and Kinross, Linlithgowshire and Midlothian. Midlothian also built a sensory garden for the residents to enjoy.
On the same day, the Provincial Grand Master Bro. George Donnelly, presented The Grand Master Mason with a cheque for £5,000 which was this Provinces contribution to the fund.
Two views of the Conservatory
Mrs Charles Wolridge Gordon performing the opening ceremony
The Provincial Grand Master Bro. George Donnelly presents The Grand Master Mason Bro. Charles Ian Wolridge Gordon with this Provinces donation.
Special Meeting
On Saturday 20th March, 2010, a deputation of 56 Brethren from Lodge St. Bryde No. 579 (Uddingston) in the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward, accompanied by their Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro. Jim Jack (PM 579),Bro. William Perry SPGM and 5 Brethren from St. Peters Lodge, Birmingham visited the Lodge. The R.W.M. Bro. Alasdair Dunlop and the Brethren of Lodge St. Bryde No. 579 demonstrated an exemplification of a Second Degree. Completely different to that worked at St. Ebbe. Lodge St. Bryde presented St. Ebbe with an engraved set of Square and Compasses and Bro. Jim Jack, Provincial Grand Master of Lanarkshire Middle Ward presented the Lodge with their Provincial Plaque. The Immediate Past Master Bro. Jack Willox presented Lodge St. Bryde with a signed copy of the Lodge History, of which he is the author.There followed an excellent harmony well catered for by Helen Tarvit with a little help (or was it hindrence) from Jim. All 56 were booked into local hotels and stayed the night.
Our thanks go to all at Lodge St. Bryde No.579 for a marvellous evening.
Bro. Alasdair M. Dunlop RWM 579 Bro. I. Stuart Warner RWM 70 Bro. George Donnelly RWPGM EL & B
Bro. James L. Jack RWPGM Lanarkshire Middle Ward
In the South along with Bro. William Perry Substitute PGM Lanarkshire Middle Ward
RW Provincial Grand Master George Donnelly with W. Bro. Martin Parrack W. Master St. Peters Lodge, Birmingham and four of his Brethren
Burns Supper.
On Saturday 23rd January 2010, Land O' Cakes Royal Arch Chapter No. 15, along with Lodge St. Ebbe No. 70, held their Annual Burns Supper within the Lodge premises.
All present sat down to the usual meal of Kail, The Haggis, Mashed Tatties and Neeps, Cheese Board and Biscuits and Barley Bree and Sic Like to Order.
The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns was very well presented by E. Comp. Rev. Daniel G. Lindsay, PM 70 and The Toast to the Lassies was presented by Mr Eddie Kellie Esq.
The evening was Chaired by ME Comp. I. Stuart Warner MEZ No. 15. Also present were ME Comp. William E. Chipendale, Grand Superintendent, Border Royal Arch Province and Bro. George R. J. Donnelly, R.W. Provincial Grand Master, Province of East Lothian and Berwickshire.
All present were well entertained by ME Comps. Sandy Watson, Peter Craig, Duncan Donaldson, Rob Cockburn, Ian Weir and Mr Alistair Lindsay, and as usual, their entertainment was of the highest order. A grateful vote of thanks also go to Mr. Bruce Thomson who accompanied the singers and kept us all entertained with his accordian.
World Premier
During the evening a poem, written in the Burns style by Miss Katy Millar aged 11, from Galashiels was read and well received by all present. Well done Katy.
Once again all present considered themselves honoured by having a man of such shining abilities as Robert Burns as one of their Companions.
Installation.
On Saturday 26th December 2009, Bro. Ian Stuart Warner PM was Installed as Right Worshipful Master By Bro. George R. J. Donnelly PM, Bro. Peter Craig PM and Bro. William T. Gray PM. Although numbers were down due to the inclement weather and the fact it was Boxing Day, all the Brethren present enjoyed the ceremony and a lovely meal was held afterwards with plenty for everyone. Bro. Warner has held the Chair of The Lodge of Aytoun Castle No. 1423 on two previous occasions and we look forward to his stewardship over the coming year.
November 2009
Freemasons present cheque
The Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian and Berwickshire Freemasons held a social dance and cheque presentation to their nominated charities at the Tranent Masonic Club on Saturday 7th November.
Cheques for £3,000 each were presented to Gill Morrison of Muirfield Riding for the Disabled and Senior Superintendent George Shaw of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, Eyemouth, during the evening, the money coming from donations from brethren and friends of the 11 Lodges in the Province.
There were sponsored walks, a 'sleep out' in decidedly chilly weather, a garden party and numerous coffee mornings.
An enjoyable evening was had by all to kick start next years charity drive.
Details of photo.
George Shaw, (R.N.M.D.S.F) and Gill Morrison, (Muirfield R.D.A) accept their cheques from The Provincial Grand Master of East Lothian and Berwickshire Bro. George Donnelly who is accompanied by his wife Maureen.
Charity Walk details
On Sunday 6th September 2009 a few of the Brethren, their partners and friends, carried out a sponsored walk of about 12 miles, around the grounds of Duns Castle and into the Lammermuir Hills, The walk lasted about 4 hours and raised the magnificent sum of £415 towards the Provincial Grand Lodge Charity Appeal.
The two Charities being supported this year are The National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen and Riding for the Disabled
Thank you to everyone who took part or took the time to sponsor the walkers.
October 2009
Re-Consecration of Masonic Temple
On Saturday 17th October 2009, the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian and Berwickshire, headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro. George R.J. Donnelly carried out a ceremony of Re-consecration of the Temple. The Temple is 250 years old and is, we believe, the third oldest purpose built Masonic Temple in the world. The Provincial Grand Master Bro. George Donnelly, assisted by the Senior Provincial Grand Chaplain Bro. Ron Sturrock and the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Bro. Bob Mathison carried out a Solemn and Dignified Ceremony of Re-Consecration before a full house of members and visitors. The Three-fold Blessing of Corn, Wine and Oil, symbols of Prosperity, Gladness and Peace was carried out to invoke the Blessing of the Most High that his favour may continue and increase, to our Joy and His Glory. Also present was Bro. Thomas Bradley and two of his Office-bearers from the Province of Fife and Kinross. The Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian and Berwickshire is indebted to Bro. Tom who travelled down from Fife with his Provinces Consecration Vessels which were used in the ceremony. Music for the Ceremony was supplied by Bro. Robert Atkinson, Provincial Grand Organist.
RWPGM Bro. George Donnelly RWM Bro. Jack Willox Bro. Bob Mathison
Deputation from PGL Fife & Kinross Bro. Ron Sturrock
Headed by Bro. Tom Bradley RWPGM
September 2009
Eyemouth High School
This year members of the Lodge have decided to donate a financial prize and silver salver to Eyemouth High School. This is now to be an annual event.
The RWM Bro. Jack Willox, accompanied by the IPM Bro. Elliott Kershaw and his wife Elsie attended the Annual Prize Giving. After coffee with the Headmaster, the silver salver and cheque for £100 was presented to eight students as a 'Remembrance' presentation. The students involved undertook to sell poppies and collect on behalf of the Earl Haig Fund. They also visited the battlefields and War Cemeteries in France. It is so heartening to realise that young people are taking an interest in such events and are obviously very conscious of the trouble in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A very pleasant evening was had by all with entertainment supplied by the school orchestra, films, verse reading, short stories and of course a pop group.
We look forward to the school's project for next years presentation.
July 2009
Lodge History
A 336 page history of the Lodge has been produced by Bro. Jack Willox IPM, assisted by his son, Bro. Stuart Willox. It has been a labour of love. Bro. Jack has photographed and read each page of our minute books and taken snippets of life in Eyemouth to make a very interesting read. The first print run of 70 copies has sold out, but if enough interest is shown another print run can be ordered. Copies priced £10 can be ordered through the Lodge Secretary.
Bro. Jack Willox IPM and Author