Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West

Weekly Update 10th November 2023 GMM Bro William Ramsay McGhee

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The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland

William Ramsay McGhee, MStJ, D.L., Grand Master Mason

Brethren, 

Last Saturday saw a large Deputation from the Grand Lodge head to the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305. What a splendid time we had. The administrative arrangements were all first class resulting in a very enjoyable afternoon and evening. My thanks to the Lodge and to the Province for their welcome, hospitality and friendship – all greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday night Grand Secretary and I spent a most enjoyable evening in the magnificent building that is Glasgow City Chambers. The occasion was a Civic Reception to celebrate the Centenary of Glasgow Trades House Lodge. Yet another hugely successful meeting – congratulations to all involved in the organisation and to the Lodge on attaining this important milestone in your history.

Tonight, Ann and I are looking forward to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ross and Cromarty Dinner Dance in the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer. This is another marker to show that we are getting back to some state of normality. Congratulations to the PGM, Brother Raymond MacKeddie, and his team for organising the event.

Tomorrow night, I’m heading to Lochaber to visit Lodge Mallaig No 1056. Really looking forward to the visit as I attended the Lodge regularly while stationed there in the 80s.  

SCFS

 
  • The Group saw its membership rise to 7355 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 1872, submitted by 523 of its members.
  • These updated contributions can now be attributed as to being made on behalf of 453 Lodges, from within 59 of its Provincial Grand Lodges, District Grand Lodges, Superintendencies and Lodges abroad under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge. 
  • Thanks are extended to the following Lodges who had posts submitted on their behalf this week:
  • The Lodge of Portlethen, No. 1805 (Kincardinshire), supporting Brechin Flood Relief Fund.
  • Widows Sons Scotland, East Chapter, supporting Poppy Scotland.
  • Baillie Nicol Jarvie, No. 1036 (Perthshire West), supporting Poppy Scotland.
  • Buchanan, No. 1499 (Lanarkshire Middle Ward), supporting Poppy Scotland.
  • Tower, No. 1523 (Glasgow), supporting Drumchapel Food Bank.
  • Widows Sons Scotland, West Chapter, supporting Ibrox Primary School Bikebus Scheme.
  • Fothad’s, No. 1059 (Fife & Kinross), supporting Parkinsons Fife.
  • The total identifiable monetary value of the contributions now recorded has risen to £3,84,634.
 
SCFS Overseas Report
 
  • Brother Craig Jessop, District Grand Master of the Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope, shared news of support to two different groups this week.
  • As part of a larger initiative involving various benevolent organizations, the District was requested to bake cupcakes and sell them in order to raise funds for children with cancer. This request was readily undertaken and indirectly resulted in a healthy donation being made. Particular mention must be made to Lodge Good Friendship, No. 1800, Lodge Bon Accord, No. 965, Lodge St. Andrew, No. 608, the District Grand Lodge and various Brethren throughout the District.
  • In addition, as part of the initiative, 300 cupcakes were donated to the Buffelsfontein Old Age Home, which were very much enjoyed by the residents. 
  • Membership focus this week was on encouraging Brethren to join from other constitutions, with whom the GLoS is in amity. These Brethren help spread news of the wonderful support which is being provided, as evidenced in the posts on the SCFS page. They are members of Lodges as far away as Australia and as close as England, such as the University of Birmingham Lodge, No. 5628 from Warwickshire, under UGLE, from which members joined this week. 

Past DGM, Brother Thomas C Smith and I spent a few useful days Malta where we visited Lodge St Andrew and met over three days with representatives from other Constitutions. While much work remains to be done, it was nevertheless a very productive and fruitful few days.

Please support the Annual Christmas Concert by the Glasgow Phoenix Choir in Freemasons’ Hall on Sunday 10th December at 2.30 pm.

 

Finally, as always, please stay safe and look after each other.

 

Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

 
 
 
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