Good News
At the regular meeting on 2nd February 2012, the Lodge rceived another clear minute from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East. Although we have had many in the past, its always a relief to get another one.
The visitation from PGL was led by Bro. Ian McPhee and included two brand new commissioned Office Bearers. Our very own Bro. William J Fleming IPM was sporting his new Substitute Provincial Grand Master regalia and our good friend from Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone, Bro. Grant McLeod PM, was visiting for the first time as Provincial Grand Secretary. Good luck and many congratulations to both brethren. Also in the visitation, was Bro. Kevin Pollock PM Past Substitute Provincial Grand Master. With Bro. Gavin McN Weir PM as Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden and Bro. Alan B Graham PM Sec as Provincial Grand Steward, the Lodge has plenty to be proud of.
Indeed, our Almoner, Bro. Gordon Fraser PM will be installed as Senior Provincial Grand Warden of our neighbouring province of Renfrewshire West on Friday 3rd February 2012. A fantastic effort Gordon. Well done.
The photographs below show Bro. Willie on the first day of his commission with Bro. Kevin and Bro. Andrew Kenneth Cassidy, our Master.
At the regular meeting on 19th January, the Lodge had to carry out two obituaries. The first one was for Bro. John Manners Jnr, who passed away suddenly over the festive season and the second one was for our Distinguished brother, Bro. George Robb Dickson PM. It is our intention to open an In Memoriam page on this website for Bro. George, to reflect the lifetime's service he gave to Lodge Craigends and to Freemasonry in general. Both brethren will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with their familes at this time.Installation 2011
Bro. Andrew Kenneth Cassidy and his team of Office Bearers were ably installed into their new offices on Saturday 5th November 2012 at the hands of Bro. William J Fleming IPM and Bro. Ian French PM WSW. This was the first time in the Lodge's history that the Installation was held on a Saturday. Hopefully, from here, we will go from strength to strength. The photographs of the day can be viewed on the "Installation Pics" page.
Congratulations
Congratulations are due to our Immediate Past Master, Bro. William J Fleming, who has just been commissioned as Substitute Provincial Grand Master. This is well deserved and all of us at Lodge Craigends are delighted and justly proud of him. Bro. Willie takes up his commission at the Installation Ceremony in Johnstone Town Hall on 15th March 2012. Well done Willie. You have marked well. Visit from Exeter
On Saturday 8th October, we were delighted to welcome a deputation from the St John the Baptist Lodge No 39 (EC). After the meeting, they demonstrated their own version of the MMD, with our very own Frenchie as stand-in candidate. Their W Master, Bro. Ian T Grimble is an Honorary Member of Craigends. Some photographs of the day are shown below.
Big George
Many of you will be aware of the sad recent passing of our Junior Warden, Bro. George C Cassidy. The funeral was very well supported and it was a testament of the high esteem he as held in by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with Kenny and the rest of the family at this difficult time.Many Happy Returns
On Friday 9th September 2011, our esteemed brother, George Robb Dickson PM, HGA, HPGSec, HDM celebrated his 90th birthday. George, who spent an amazing 33 years as Lodge Secretary, is still attending the Lodge regularly and is an example for all younger brethren. Happy Birthday George.
Bro. James Elliott Orr - Distinguished Service Member
It is with much delight that I report that on Thursday 21st May 2011, Bro. "J" became only the fourth brother in the 103 years history of the Lodge to recieve Distinguished Service Membership.
Bro. "J" was presented with the honour by Bro. Andrew Kenneth Cassidy RWM and Bro. David A Reid RWPGM. The supporting statement, making application for the award read,
Brother Jim has been an active member of Lodge Craigends for 46 years now. He has supported the Lodge for many years by working behind the scenes on committees, organising children’s parties, etc. An unassuming and quiet gentleman (in the true sense of the word), Bro. Jim has not been interested in progressing through office himself, but he has provided advice and support to many young freemasons as they have. He is well known in the town of Linwood for being a freemason and as such, he is an excellent ambassador for the craft.
Brother Jim has now served as Director of Music for 25 years and has provided backing organ music in all of our ceremonial work. This is such an important part of our work that it is something that we (wrongly) take for granted. The positive impact he makes only becomes apparent on the extremely rare occasions when he does not make it along to our meetings. Brother Jim is awarded honoraria annually for his labours, but he continually refuses to accept this - preferring to hand it back to the Lodge.
I have been approached by a number of brethren, requesting that we do something to mark the continuous service that Jim has paid to our Lodge and the craft in general. We dearly hope that he continues for many more years to come and formally request that he be granted the honour of Distinguished Service Membership of Lodge Craigends No 1042.
We are delighted to see "J" being honoured in this way and thank him for his long service to the Lodge. We hope that this service continues for many years to come.
With Regret
It is with regret that I must report the passing of two of our brethren.
Bro. John Hamilton was initiated in 1974 and was known to many of our Paisley brethren and bowling fraternity. He was also a keen member of Charleston Bowling Club.
Bro. Thomas (Tommy) Climson was initiated in 1960 and was a real stalwart of the Lodge. He was instrumental in the setting up of a social club and in the construction of the Speers Lounge. He was a real character and had recently receivd his 50 year jubilee certificate. He lived in London for many years.
Bro. James Ronald Maycock PM
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Bro. James Ronald Maycock PM. Bro. Jimmy was a true expert in his craft, being one of the finest degree workers the Lodge has produced. He was Master in 1976 and mentored a large number of younger brethren as they climbed "through the ranks". He will be sadly missed.
Donation
This year is the 275th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the centenary of Freemasons' Hall in Edinburgh. To mark the occasion, Grand Lodge are making available a significant sum of money to be donated to external charities.
Provincial Grand Lodge are also doing their bit by collecting donations from the daughter Lodges and by collation all of the Province's nominations for charities.
Lodge Craigends have decided to donate the sum of £250 to this enterprise. The charities nominated by the Lodge are: The Beatson Oncology Unit and Breast Cancer Care. Well done lads.
Phew!!!
At the annual visitation from Provincial Grand Lodge, we were pleased to receive a "clear minute", meaning that PGL are happy with the way that our affairs are run. Particular thanks must go to Bro. William J Fleming IPM, who not only led the Lodge last session, but also ironed out a few problems and took over the arduous Secretary role. Well done and thanks Willie.
Happy New Year
Congratulations to our new Master, Bro. Andrew Kenneth Cassidy, and his team of Office Bearers on being installed into their new offices for session 2010/2011. He was ably installed by Bro. William J Fleming IPM and Bro. Garry A Fox PM.
Bro. Kenny has a number of plans up his sleeve and if he is successful with only a small proportion of them, it looks like we will have a fantastic year ahead. Please support the Master and the Lodge as we move into this new era.
60 Years and Counting
Two stalwart brethren of the Lodge were recently presented with their diplomas, to celebrate over 60 years service to Lodge Craigends. Bro. George R Dickson PM, HGA, HPGS, HDM and Bro. Bill Torrens are seen pictured below with the RWM after Bro. Bill was presented with his diploma. Congratulations to both of these brethren on reaching such a fantastic milestone.
Visit to Lodge Childshill
It is difficult to describe the meeting in London however an excellent degree and harmony were involved a special thank you to the Brethren of the Lodge for the warmth and hospitality of their welcome and attention that they paid to the ritual. Next year's trip to Exeter is already on the tracing board and announcements will follow as soon as available.
Time Served
At the regular meeting on 18th February, the RWM announced that Bro. Kevin Pollock PM had recently demited office after a successful year as Most Wise Sovereign in the Stewart Lochrie Sovereign Chapter (18th Degree) and has resigned as Substitute Provincial Grand Master. He is lightening his load to allow time to concentrate on completing his doctorate studies. He has represented Lodge Craigends well in the province and in other orders and grateful thanks were expressed to him.
Nice To See You, To See You ........
It was fantastic to welcome Bro. Robert Kingsley PM back into the Lodge again after an absence of many years. Apart from the lack of hair, not a lot has changed.
Provincial Photo Call
The photograph below was taken of the six Past Masters of the Lodge who are active in Povincial Grand Lodge.
From Left to Right: - Bro. William J Fleming PM WJW (PG Standard Bearer), Bro. Gavin McN Weir PM (Past PG Senior Warden), Bro. Kevin Pollock PM (Substitute PG Master), Bro George R Dickson PM, HGA, HDM (Hon PG Secretary), Alan B Graham IPM (Assistant PG Treasurer), Gordon Fraser PM (PG DOC - Renfrewshire West).
Congratulations
The photograph below shows two of our brethren in 18th Degree (Rose Croix) regalia. Bro. William J Fleming PM was recently installed into the chair of the Stewart Lochrie Chapter, with Bro Kevin Pollock PM, his Depute.
