PGM and Renfrewshire West masons representing at Grand Lodge today. A great wee day.
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On Saturday 14th. June accompanied by DPGM Bro Paul Docherty. I attended the Installation of Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Stirlingshire Bro, Stuart Stirling in the Dobbie Hall Larbert. The Installation was carried out by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Bro Ramsay McGhee ably assisted by Grand Director of Ceremonies Bro Ronald W.A. Forbes. We then retired to what was an excellent Harmony and the usual lighthearted chinwag amongst the assembled brethern and thereafter the formal toasts. I would once again Congratulate RWPGM Bro. Stuart Stirling on being installed and wish Stuart and his Commissioned Office Bearers all the very best over the next 5 years. Below. Photo of Brethren in attendance at Stirlingshire Installation on Saturday.
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The reigning Masters of the Province with the Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West at last nights annual charity degree held at it's traditional home of Sir Michael 989. A wonderful evening where the Masters conferred an exemplification of the FC degree on Bro Martin Docherty (1121). The Master on the Chair was Brother Hughie Docherty of Lodge Crawfurdsburn 1121 who handled his team expertly throughout. Our thanks are extended to the brethren of the Province who came along and also to those brethren from outwith the Province who came a along and swelled the numbers on what was a terrific evening. These numbers included the reigning Masters of Lodge Caledonian St John Royal Arch 195 and our long standing pals from Lodge Glennifer 1219. The usual excellent fayre and terrific raffle concluded the evening with the winners advertising their "spoils" on social media! Well done to each and every one of you.
Final and most importantly thanks to all the hard working brethren of Lodge Sir Michael 989 who came along and work so hard to make the evening successful. You should be very proud once again on a successful evening. The full amount raised (after rounding up by the RWM of 989) to be £500 which will be donated to the chosen charity of Prostate Scotland.
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Congratulations Leann
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Super User
As most of you are aware we have developed a tremendous working partnership with Leann McLaughlin, the nurse specialist at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
Leann has supported us throughout our awareness drive and has spoken at the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Renfrewshire Convocation.
Some great news!!!!
Leann has just been awarded UK Continence and Urology Nurse of the year 2025 by the British Journal of Nursing.
The BJN said “ As a Uro-Oncology CNS at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Leann is driving change through education, research and service development.
She's leading a nurse-led TP biopsy service, supporting Prostate Scotland Champions and shaping urology care. Previously a BJN Awards bronze winner, she has also been recognised by Scottish Parliament for her contributions!
I’m sure we all offer our congratulations to Leann
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Good evening brethren, just a reminder that 'Time on Our Hands' is back up and running again this year in aid of Prostate Scotland.
Format the same as previous years. £1 per any minute of the day AM or PM.
Times can be in 12 or 24 hour format for example 6.14PM is the same as 18.14.
Times can also be allocated randomly with 1 lucky winner's time being drawn at random to win the grand prize.
Please send your Full Name, Lodge Number and preferred times if you have them to the email address below:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bank transfer details same as last year:
Sort code 60-83-71
Account number *****740
Happy to provide any further details on request.
Thank you brethren!
Nicholas Stetz
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The Orr Masonic Bowling Trophy
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Jim Livingstone
On the Greens of “The Grosvenor”
At 10.00 am on Saturday 7th September, 2024.
Lodges from within the Province of Renfrewshire are invited to enter a team or teams of qualified brethren for the above competition.
The competition will consist of two nine-end games of Triples and will be open to all brethren who are in “good-standing” with their Mother Lodge.
The cost of entry will be £15 per team (£5.00 each) which will include a cup of tea/coffee and a filled roll after the first game.
There will be a raffle in aid of a Charity, nominated by the Provincial Grand Master.
Donations for the Raffle will be eagerly accepted on or before the day.
Brethren are asked to arrive by 09.45 am.
Shorts may be worn if they are of a “tailored” style – NO HAWAIIANS!
The Provincial Grand Master may attend if his busy schedule allows.
Please return all entries to:-
Brother John Freeburn
07961 057533
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Welcome to the 200th edition of the Weekly Update.The 200thedition will also be the final edition as I demit Office on the 30th of November when I will have the great honour of Installing our new Grand Master Mason, Brother Dr Joseph John Morrow, CVOCBEKStJKCDLFRSE, the current Lord Lyon King of Arms.
Through the medium of the Weekly Update, may I take this opportunity to thank you all, your Lodges, Provinces, Districts and Superintendencies for the support you have given me over the past five years. It has been a real privilege to serve as your Grand Master Mason – I only hope that my endeavour over the period has matched your expectations of me.
Can I also take the opportunity to thank Grand Secretary and his staff at 96 George Street for the tremendous support I have received from them all. It has been greatly appreciated.Likewise, my sincere thanks to Brothers Dougie Fergie and Jim Ellis for their weekly contributions in respect of SCFS. They are both doing a tremendous job and, on your behalf, as well as my own, I thank them sincerely.
I will not be disappearing from Grand Lodge totally. Constitutionally, I will assume the role of Chair of the new Governance and Strategy Board. I look forward to this new role in which I will hopefully be able to assist in taking Scottish Freemasonry forward in a very positive, upbeat, and meaningful way.
In closing, can I thank you all, at home and overseas, for the warm welcome, affection and friendship that you have so kindly shown to me over the past five years – the memories I have will be cherished and valued for the remainder of my life.
SCFS
The Group saw its membership rise to 7367 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
o This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1884, submitted by 525 of its members.
o These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 457 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
o Thanks are extended to the following Lodges who had posts submitted on their behalf this week.
o Leuchar, No. 1224 (Aberdeenshire West), supporting Culter School Parent Council.
o Widows Sons Scotland West Chapter, supporting Prostate Scotland.
o The Lodge of Fort William, No. 43 (Inverness-shire), supporting Lochaber Action on Disability.
o The Bruce, No. 593 (Forfarshire), supporting Brechin Flood Relief Fund.
o Widows Sons Scotland East Chapter, supporting Poppy Scotland.
o Buchan St. John No. 636 (Linlithgowshire), supporting Brechin Buccaneers.
o The Douglas Lodge, No. 409 (Linlithgowshire), supporting Beatson Cancer Charity and Autism in local schools.
o Lindores, No. 106 (Fife & Kinross), supporting local Thursday Club & Newburgh Xmas Lights.
o New Monkland Montrose, No. 88 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting My Name’s Doddie Foundation.
o Provincial Grand Lodge of Edinburgh, supporting Dean and Cauvin Young Peoples Trust and The Sick Childrens Hospital Charity.
o The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,865,359.
SCFS Overseas Report
Brother Craig Jessop, District Grand Master of the Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, shared news of Lodge Bon Accord, No. 965, facilitating an art competition which raised funds to enable donations towards benevolence, the purchasing of food etc. for the local Old Age Home and the treating of 10 residents to a Gala Dinner / Evening
.
• Brother Thomas Rohde, Past Master of Lodge Fort Jameson, No. 1467, in the District of KwaZulu Natal, advised on the efforts of that Lodge and of Lodge Grantleigh, No. 1136, in organising and financing the 38th Annual Seniors Luncheon, attended and enjoyed by a significant number of guests.
• This week we welcomed a number of new Brethren from Lodges overseas: Lodge Fort Jameson, No. 1467 (KwaZulu Natal), andLodge De La Vega, No. 1477 (Jamaica). In addition, there was an excellent response from the District of Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope from which a number of Brethren joined from the following Lodges: Lodge Caledonia, No. 796, Lodge Koodoo, No. 1317, and Lodge Thistle, No. 833.
• Brethren from other Masonic constitutions (ICMs) were similarly welcomed such as Brethren from Lodges under UGLE (Eastern Cape), and the Grand Lodge of South Africa.
Last Saturday I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Lochaber, where, along with the PGM, Brother David Crilley, I paid a visit to Lodge Mallaig No 1056. It was a great night catching up with the Mallaig Brethren some of whom I have known for over 40 years.
Please support the Annual Christmas Concert by the Glasgow Phoenix Choir in Freemasons’ Hall on Sunday 10th December at 2.30 pm.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Last Saturday saw a large Deputation from the Grand Lodge head to the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305. What a splendid time we had. The administrative arrangements were all first class resulting in a very enjoyable afternoon and evening. My thanks to the Lodge and to the Province for their welcome, hospitality and friendship – all greatly appreciated.
On Wednesday night Grand Secretary and I spent a most enjoyable evening in the magnificent building that is Glasgow City Chambers. The occasion was a Civic Reception to celebrate the Centenary of Glasgow Trades House Lodge. Yet another hugely successful meeting – congratulations to all involved in the organisation and to the Lodge on attaining this important milestone in your history.
Tonight, Ann and I are looking forward to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ross and Cromarty Dinner Dance in the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer. This is another marker to show that we are getting back to some state of normality. Congratulations to the PGM, Brother Raymond MacKeddie, and his team for organising the event.
Tomorrow night, I’m heading to Lochaber to visit Lodge Mallaig No 1056. Really looking forward to the visit as I attended the Lodge regularly while stationed there in the 80s.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7355 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
- This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1872, submitted by 523 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 453 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- Thanks are extended to the following Lodges who had posts submitted on their behalf this week:
- The Lodge of Portlethen, No. 1805 (Kincardinshire), supporting Brechin Flood Relief Fund.
- Widows Sons Scotland, East Chapter, supporting Poppy Scotland.
- Baillie Nicol Jarvie, No. 1036 (Perthshire West), supporting Poppy Scotland.
- Buchanan, No. 1499 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting Poppy Scotland.
- Tower, No. 1523 (Glasgow), supporting Drumchapel Food Bank.
- Widows Sons Scotland, West Chapter, supporting Ibrox Primary School Bikebus Scheme.
- Fothad’s, No. 1059 (Fife & Kinross), supporting Parkinsons Fife.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,84,634.
SCFS Overseas Report
- Brother Craig Jessop, District Grand Master of the Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, shared news of support to two different groups this week.
- As part of a larger initiative involving various benevolent organizations, the District was requested to bake cupcakes and sell them in order to raise funds for children with cancer. This request was readily undertaken and indirectly resulted in a healthy donation being made. Particular mention must be made to Lodge Good Friendship, No. 1800, Lodge Bon Accord, No. 965, Lodge St. Andrew, No. 608, the District Grand Lodge and various Brethren throughout the District.
- In addition, as part of the initiative, 300 cupcakes were donated to the Buffelsfontein Old Age Home, which were very much enjoyed by the residents.
- Membership focus this week was on encouraging Brethren to join from other constitutions, with whom the GLoS is in amity. These Brethren help spread news of the wonderful support which is being provided, as evidenced in the posts on the SCFS page. They are members of Lodges as far away as Australia and as close as England, such as the University of Birmingham Lodge, No. 5628 from Warwickshire, under UGLE, from which members joined this week.
Past DGM, Brother Thomas C Smith and I spent a few useful days Malta where we visited Lodge St Andrew and met over three days with representatives from other Constitutions. While much work remains to be done, it was nevertheless a very productive and fruitful few days.
Please support the Annual Christmas Concert by the Glasgow Phoenix Choir in Freemasons’ Hall on Sunday 10th December at 2.30 pm.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Last weekend the Grand Lodge Deputation who headed from Oban over to the Island of Mull had a truly memorable visit. It started off on the Friday night with an impromptu ceilidh in the Mishnish Hotel which the Brethren enjoyed with all other patrons of the establishment.
The arrangements made for the rededication ceremony on the Saturday were first class and the ceremony itself, in the wake of the perfect arrangements, was carried out without any problems. The celebratory dinner was well worth going to Mull for alone. All speeches were short, sharp and to the point, much to the delight of the assembly.
On Saturday night after all the pomp and ceremony had ended, a busload of us headed to Dervaig where another ceilidh took place. All in all, a tremendous weekend.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 7350 Brethren from not only the Scottish Constitution but from many of our Sister Constitutions throughout the world.
- This week saw the total examples of charitable giving recorded within the group rise to 1865, submitted by 523 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 452 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
- Thanks is extended to the following Lodges who had posts submitted on their behalf this week.
- Whifflet St. John, No. 963 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting CHAS.
- Scoon & Perth, No. 3 (Perthshire East), supporting Perth Autism Support.
- Ben Ledi, No. 614 (Perthshire West), Supporting The Ripple Retreat.
- Widows Sons Scotland, West Chapter, supporting Marcus Humphrey House.
- Maryhill, No. 510 (Glasgow), supporting Homeless Veterans Project.
- Averon, No. 866 (Ross & Cromarty), supporting a young girl with leukemia.
- Glammis, No. 99 (Forfarshire), supporting PGL Zipslide Event Fund.
- Widows Sons Scotland, North Chapter, supporting Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
- Widows Sons Scotland, East Chapter, supporting Poppy Scotland.
- Fleur De Lys, No. 1722 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting PGL Christmas Box Appeal.
- Kelso & Tweed, No. 58 (The Scottish Borders), supporting Get George Moving.
- Lord Bruce, No. 1601, Linlithgowshire reigning Masters (Linlithgowshire), supporting The Beatlie Centre.
- GLoS, PGL Forfarshire, SGRAC, supporting Brechin Flood Relief Fund.
SCFS Overseas Report
On 1 November, we celebrated SCFS being in existence for three and a half years, during which time many interesting posts have been published about the wonderful support given by our Overseas Brethren. There has also been a steady increase in members and activity on the page by them during this period.
- This week we welcomed a number of new members from Lodges overseas. This regular increase in Overseas Members demonstrates the feeling of inclusiveness which is often commented upon. Particular mention must be made to Brethren joining fromLodge Fort Jameson, No. 1462 andLodge St. Andrew, No. 701 (both KwaZulu Natal), and Lodge St. John, No. 1072 (Bangkok, Middle East). The support of the new members who have joined is greatly appreciated and I’m sure that these new members will follow the very many Brethren who support the page by “Liking” and commenting positively on the published posts.
- Brethren from other Masonic constitutions (ICMs) were similarly welcomed. These Brethren help spread news of the wonderful support featured in the post on SCFS to a worldwide audience. This week, Brethren joined from Lodges under, for example, UGLE (KwaZulu Natal), and the United Grand Lodges of Germany.
I am currently in Malta visiting Lodge St Andrew with Past DGM, Brother Thomas C Smith. We have a busy but interesting agenda liaising with other Constitutions to take Scottish Freemasonry forward on the Island in a positive and useful manner.
Looking forward to being in Bellshill on Saturday to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lodge Woodhall St john No 305.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason
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