Brethren it has been an honour and a privilege to serve this Lodge as Right Worshipful Master for the past twelve months. Not always a happy duty as this year I have read out obituaries for six of our departed Brothers, some of who I knew well and others not at all.
Once again Brethren we have had a distinct lack of candidates (until tonight that is), so our Degree Teams have been carrying out exemplification degrees to keep us on the boil!
During the year Brethren we have enjoyed two excellent lecture evenings; one from Past Master Donald Bannatyne, which was a mixture of topics interesting to our Lodge; and a second lecture from Captain James Murchie about his time serving with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, both of which were most interesting and entertaining evenings.
The highlight of our Summer recess saw us visiting Lodge Burns Dundonald No 1759 in the Province of Ayrshire on the 30th June 2018, to confer a Mark Master Mason Degree on two of their candidates. The Lodge room was packed full and a great afternoon was had by all.
Also Brethren, during the Summer we had an impromptu visit from four Brethren from New Zealand who met up with a few of our members in the Lodge for a very pleasant fraternal afternoon, exchanging masonic pleasantries. We also received a Brother from Sydney, Australia at our Regular Meeting in September.
Once again Brethren I have tried to visit other lodges this year and in this respect I have been to:
- Lodge Inverary St John No 50 for their Installation
- PGL Regular Communication in Campbeltown
- Lodge Kelburne No 459 – PGL visitation
- Lodge Burns Dundonald No 1759 carried out MMM Degree
- PGL Installation of PGM Bro. Douglas T. Philand in Oban
And I am hoping to visit Lodge Oban Commercial No 180 for their Installation on Saturday 24th November 2018, weather or rather boat permitting.
In April I had the pleasure of awarding a Distinguished Service Diploma to Bro. Robert Redmond in appreciation of his good service to this Lodge.
In August I and Bro. Tim Keen undertook a sponsored walk around Cumbrae to raise money for “Soldiers off the Streets” a charity brought to our attention by our good friend Bro. John Muir.
All in all Brethren this past year has flown by very quickly indeed, but none of it would have been possible without the invaluable assistance of you all: the Secretary, Treasurer, Almoner and Director of Ceremonies, and all the other Office Bearers; the Brethren who fill vacant offices; and the Brethren who have travelled with me in fair weather and foul.
To all of you Brethren of this Lodge I thank you for your friendship and support in making this last year a very memorable and pleasant term in office as Right Worshipful Master of Lodge St Molios No 774.
