The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason
Brethren,
Congratulations – you have made it a million! In fact, when all the monies come in you will have made it 1.1 million – a truly amazing result. Your creativity, ingenuity, effort, determination, and fortitude has made history. For the first time you, the members of Grand Lodge will hand over a cheque in excess of £1 million to a single organisation. The final cheque will be presented to Prostate Scotland at the Festival of St Andrew. Can I take this opportunity to record my personal thanks for all you have done. I know that our Immediate Past GM, Brother Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon who instigated the original initiative, Brother Joe Morrow, Chairman of the Benevolence and Care Committee and Bro Marcus Humphrey, past chairman of the Committee would all wish me to say that collectively we are truly appreciative and grateful to you all. Thank you. I would also like to say a special thank you to Mrs Dawn Oliff and her staff who have carried out an immense amount of administrative work in respect of the project.
Last Saturday, I was delighted to have a “home game” only a mile down the road in the village of Avoch when we celebrated 100 years of Freemasonry in Lodge Rosehaugh. It was a real pleasure to welcome the Grand Lodge Deputation onto the Black Isle and my grateful thanks to the PGM, Brother Raymond MacKeddie, for his welcome both on Friday night and on Saturday afternoon. The Brethren of Lodge Rosehaugh pulled out the stops and celebrated in style.
This Saturday will be a bit different with a 400-mile round trip to the Border town of Lauder, where we will celebrate 250 years of Freemasonry in Lodge St Luke No 132.
SCFS
- The Group saw its membership rise to 6898 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 1361, submitted by 403 of its members.
- These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 406 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 Provincial Grand Lodges of Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Glasgow, Linlithgowshire and Ross & Cromarty.
- The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £2,699,188.
SCFS Overseas Report .
- The Overseas membership has continued to increase. Special mention for support this week is given to Lodge Rosslyn, No. 596, District of Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, and to Lodge Britannia, No. 1033, one of our two lodges in Chile.
- In addition, new members were approved from Lodges in amity with the GLoS such as from the GL of Florida, UGLE, and the GL of
- We were also delighted to publish a post from Brother Craig Jessop, DDGM, of the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Province of Cape of Good Hope, who shared news about Lodge St. Andrews, No. 608, Gonubie, RSA, demonstrating its proactive support of the local community by donating 5000 rand (£250) to the Eastern Province junior rugby team.
Day tickets for the Conference are now available and separately, tickets for the Installation and Festival of St Andrew are now available from Grand Lodge. This will be a unique week in Scottish Freemasonry – one that I commend to all of you. If you don’t have your tickets yet – don’t delay – they are selling fast.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Glasgow Phoenix Choir Christmas Concert will be held in Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 11th December at 2.30 pm for 3.00 pm. Tickets can be reserved through Grand Lodge Reception – only £10 per ticket. This year, in commemoration of the ascension of King Charles III, the choir will perform “Zadok the Priest” as part of the concert.
My best wishes to all our Hindu Brethren who, this week past, celebrated Diwali – the Festival of Light
Last Tuesday, Grand Secretary and I visited the Poppy Garden in Princes Street Garden where we laid a wreath alongside all the Lodge Poppy Crosses. Yesterday, before the Grand Lodge Communication, I placed another wreath on our own memorial in Grand Lodge in remembrance of all Brethren who made the supreme sacrifice.
Ramsay McGhee
Grand Master Mason