The Annual Installation of the Most Worshipfull Grand Master Mason and Grand Office-bearers and Festival of St. Andrew took place on Thursday 26th November 2015 and was attended by a large number of brethren from the Province of Renfrewshire West.
At the Installation and Dinner were:
Brother Alexander Galbraith, Past Substitute Grand Master and Past Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West.
Brother James Pearston Livingstone, Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West.
Brother John Robert Spence Keith, Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
Brother Archibald Hoey, President of Grand Stewards, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
Brother Allan I Macfeate, Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII.
Brother William Lawson, Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Doric Kilwinning No. 68.
Brother Nicholas R R Stetz, Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Firth of Clyde, Gourock No. 626.
Brother James Cowan, Right Worshipful Master of The Anchor Lodge of Research No. 1814, Past Master of Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No. 217 and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Brother Archibald M Wright, Past Master of Lodge Doric Kilwinning No. 68, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
Brother Peter Wilson, Past Master of Lodge Inverkip Ardgowan No. 1425.
Brother Allan T Glen, Senior Warden of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII.
Brother Callum Wohlgemuth, Substitute Master of Lodge Greenock St. John’s No. 175.
Brother Fraser Harvey, Master Mason of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII.
Brother Ian Wohlgemuth, Master Mason of Lodge Greenock St. John’s No. 175.
Brother Neil Johnston, Master Mason of Lodge Firth of Clyde, Gourock No. 626.
Brother James Strachan, Master Mason of Lodge Crawfurdsburn No. 1121.
As can be seen by the very impressive list above, almost every Lodge in the Province was represented at Grand Lodge on the day, a tremendous effort from a small Province.
Grand Lodge was opened by Brother Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing and after extending a warm welcome to the special guests and visitors to Grand Lodge, the principal guest, Most worshipful Brother Peter G Lowndes, Programme Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England was escorted into Grand Lodge followed by Brother Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont.
The Grand Master Mason took the oath “de fideli administratione officii” and was then invested in a most dignified manner with his jewel of office by Past Grand Master, Brother Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing.
He was then escorted to the Throne of Grand Lodge and afterward proclaimed.
The Grand Master Mason named his Depute and Substitute Grand Masters being Brother W Ramsay McGhee and Brother George R Kelly respectively, who were then obligated and installed into office.
Depute Grand Master Brother McGhee and Substitute Grand Master Brother Kelly then shared the duty of obligating and installing the remaining office-bearers of Grand Lodge including our own Brother Archibald Hoey, who was installed as President of Grand Stewards.
Grand Lodge was then closed and a record number of brethren made their way to the Edinburgh Corn Exchange for the Festival of St. Andrew.
A sumptuous meal with excellent entertainment followed with the following toasts being proposed and responses received:
The Queen – Proposed by the Grand Master Mason;
The Grand Lodge of Scotland – proposed by Most Worshipful Brother Peter G Lowndes, Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England.
Reply – by the Grand Master Mason.
Provincial and District Grand Lodges – proposed by Depute Grand Master, Brother W Ramsay McGhee.
Reply – by Brother Thomas C Smith, Provincial Grand Master of Midlothian.
The Daughter Lodges – proposed by Substitute Grand Master, Brother George R Kelly.
Reply – by Brother Alberto Massimo, Master of Lodge St. David (University Lodge) No. 36.
The evening ended with the singing of Auld Lang Syne followed by the Natioanl Anthem.
I’m sure that all of the brethren who travelled through on the minibus would wish me to thank Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brother John Keith for acting as chauffeur on the day and ensuring that we all got there and back safely.
As an added bonus on the day, there were two items of news which are worthy of bringing to the special attention of the brethren.
Firstly, the installation of Brother Archibald Hoey, Past Master of Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No. 217, who was elevated to the Office of President of Grand Stewards.
Brethren, it is worth noting that it takes longer to work up the ranks of the board of Stewards than it does to work through the elective offices of Grand Lodge and Brother Hoey has faithfully served this Province as its representative on the Board of Grand Stewards for a total of 22 years culminating in him reaching the top of the ladder and his promotion to the office of President of Grand Stewards.
We would offer him our heartfelt congratulations and will no doubt return to the subject at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge.
In addition, the Province was furthered honoured when the Grand Master Mason announced the names of the brethren on whom he was pleased to confer Honorary Grand Rank.
This year, we all rejoiced to hear that Brother James Cowan Right Worshipful Master 1814, PM217 and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, received recognition as Honorary Grand Director of Ceremonies, while Brother James McCorkell, MM1121, was similarly recognised with the rank of Honorary Grand Sword-bearer.
A fitting reward for many years hard work and dedication shown by both brethren.
All in all a very rewarding day and I would encourage all brethren to consider making the journey through to Grand Lodge at some point.