The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Greetings from Georgetown. Grand Secretary and I arrived here on Monday night from Port of Spain. Last Wednesday we arrived in Trinidad where we were joined by a large Deputation from the Province of Ross and Cromarty along with DGM Anthony Bostwick who has accompanied me throughout the tour. On Thursday morning a large number of brethren attended a meeting in Chaguanas at which they were invited to question Grand Secretary and me. It was an interesting morning – two hours of good, intelligent questions and discussion after which we partook of a first-rate Indian lunch.
In the evening we attended a meeting of Lodge Arima No 899. We were made very welcome by the Master of the Lodge, Brother Dante Selman-Carrington, who, along with his Office-bearers conferred an excellent FC Degree on behalf of two Candidates – Brothers Previn Reid and Michael Buckmire.
Next morning at 05.30 we headed to the Television Studios. The first show which was done in the studio went well but the second down the line interview was beset with technical problems. Next on the list was a radio interview followed by a visit to the Mayor of Port of Spain, Joel Martinez. We spent a very enjoyable hour in his company and learned much about the on-going development of the City under his leadership.
That evening we were guests of Lodge United Brothers to witness their unique EA Degree. Brother Damian A Lyder, Master of the Lodge and his Office-bearers did a fantastic job and those present who had not witnessed it before were very impressed by it.
Saturday 26th March saw 200 Brethren assemble in the Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel to witness the Installation of Brother Louis Jean Baptiste as District Grand Master of Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada along with his Commissioned Office-bearers. Immediately after the Installation, both Grand Secretary and I had to go for yet another antigen test in preparation for our visit to Guyana. In the evening, we were joined by the Ladies in the ballroom which had been transformed once again for the District Grand Lodge Banquet.
After the activity of the Installation and Ball, we travelled to Blanchisseeuse on the Sunday morning to the home of the Master of Lodge United Brothers, Senator Damian A Lyder, for a Brunch.
On Monday we left Trinidad and arrived in Guyana where we enjoyed a welcome reception. On Tuesday we met with the DGM and members of Lodge Alpha No 1594 for lunch before returning to the hotel to prepare for a visit to Lodge Alpha in the evening. The Brethren, under the leadership of the Master, Brother Ronald K Thorne, worked an excellent MM Degree for no less than five candidates. It was a delight to witness the Degree after which we joined with the Brethren in Harmony.
On Wednesday morning we had a meeting with the British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Jane Miller and in the evening I had the honour to install the new DGM of Guyana, Brother Sean Ronald Noel and his Commissioned Office-bearers after which we enjoyed an excellent Harmony. Today is our last day in Guyana – another antigen test at 10 then a meeting with the President of Guyana at 13.00 followed by the quarterly meeting of the District. We leave the hotel at 03.00 for our 06.00 flight to Miami. Will sum up next week.
SCFS
The Group saw its membership rise to 6398 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 1154, submitted by 362 of its members.
These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 371 Lodges, from within 56 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge.
During the week posts were submitted by group members representing the Provinces of Aberdeenshire West, Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Forfarshire, Lanarkshire Middle Ward, Lanarkshire Upper Ward, Linlithgowshire and The Scottish Borders.
The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,075,514.
SCFS Overseas Report
This week, we were delighted to receive an interesting post from the District of the Bahamas.
- Brother Pédro Turnquest, Secretary, Lodge San Andreas, No. 1835, shared news of a donation by the Lodge to the “Boys and Girls Club of San Andros” as the Lodge supported the group’s first Annual Cancer fundraiser.
- Our Overseas Membership is continuing to grow steadily. Brethren joining from a variety of Lodges have helped increase our Overseas Membership to 1728.
- The Lodge which had most new members coming from it was Lodge Peglerae, No. 1749, Transvaal, in the District of Central South Africa (which was the District from which most new members came this week). Reference must also be made to the District of Jamaica in terms of new members.
- We also now have 1335 Brethren from Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the GLoS, and who spread news, worldwide, of the wonderful support given to others by our Brethren. New members joined from a wide geographical spread of 11 different Masonic constitutions: GL of New Zealand, GL of Japan, GL of Mississippi, GL of Nigeria, GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario, GL of Peru, GL of the Philippines, GL Alpina of Switzerland, GL of Alberta, GL of North Carolina, GL of Ireland.
Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason