As we approach the beginning of another session I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable summer recess especially during the better weather that we enjoyed in June and July.

On Wednesday 1^st May, was the Regular Communication of PG Lodge, when in addition to normal business a Deputation from Grand Lodge headed by Past Sub. Grand Master Bro Alexander Galbraith attended and Installed our new Substitute PG Master Bro Paul Docherty.

On Saturday 18^th May I attended another extremely successful PGL Summer Ball in Greenock Town Hall. I hope that everyone enjoyed another great night.

On Friday 24^th May I attended the funeral of PSPGW Bro Rudi Stetz, an excellent and fitting turnout of brethren at Greenock Crematorium.

On Thursday 6^th June I attended the Special Meeting of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No 12 and witnessed an excelled EA Degree conducted by the Past Masters of the Lodge. My thanks to the Brethren of PG Lodge who accompanied me on that occasion.

On Saturday 8^th June I attended the Summer Fete at Marcus Humphrey House many thanks to Bro Malcolm Sinclair for his hard working and organising the plant stall at the Fete. Thanks to Bro Kenneth McCrae who assisted on the day and to the Commission Team and the other Brethren of the Province who attended.

On Thursday 13^th June I attended Grand Committee and also the Regular Communication of grand Lodge in Edinburgh and delighted to see a number of Brethren from the Province present on the day.

On Friday 19^th July I attended the funeral of PPGM Bro William MH Macfarlane in St Andrew’s Church in Port Glasgow.

On Wednesday 14^th August I attended a very enjoyable Masters Dinner, which also included several lively discussions.

On Tuesday 20^th August accompanied by, IPPGM Bro James Livingstone, DPGM Bro John Black, SPGM Bro Paul Docherty and PG Sec. Bro Alan Beck I attended the half yearly communication of the PGL of Kilwinning.

Bro. Robin McIntyre PGM

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On Friday 1 March, accompanied by IPPGM Bro James Livingstone and DPGM Bro John Black, I attended the Annual Communication of the PGL of Lanarkshire Middle Ward in Cambuslang.

On Saturday 2 March together with the Commissioned Office-bearers hosted a meeting of the Masters and Wardens of the Province in Lodge Sir Michael No 989. A very productive and informative meeting.

On Wednesday 6 March attended PGL Committee meeting held in Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626.

On Thursday 7 march I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to the Joint Annual Divine Service of Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No 217 and Lodge Doric Kilwinning No 68 for their Annual Divine Service conducted by Rev

On Monday 11 March I attended Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626, and welcomed Bro Christopher Love, the newest EA of the Lodge into the Province.

On Monday 18 March I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Doric Kilwinning No 68 for their Annual Visitation of the year where we enjoyed an excellent FC Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18.

On Friday 22 March I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Greenock St John’s No 175 for their Annual Visitation of the year where we enjoyed an excellent EA Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18. I also announced that Bro Paul M. Docherty PM of Lodge Sir Michael No 989 had accepted the Commission of Substitute PG Master.

On Monday 25 March I attended Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626 and witnessed an FC Degree.

On Wednesday 27 March attended a meeting with the Commissioned Office-bearers.

Bro. Robin McIntyre RWPGM

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On Friday 1 February the Annual Communication of PG Lodge took place in the Masonic Temple, West Stewart Street, Greenock, where we enjoyed an excellent Installation of the Elective Office-bearers by the Dep. PGM Bro John Black. A very well attended meeting with the Citizenship Award being presented to Children in Poverty Inverclyde at the supper following the meeting.

It was a delight to welcome into the Lodge many friends and visitors from sister Provinces including Argyll and the Isles, Ayrshire, Glasgow, Stirlingshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire East, Lanarkshire Middle Ward and Stirlingshire. On the evening, the deputation was headed by the Provincial Grand Master of Dunbartonshire, Brother James Forrest.

On Thursday 7 February I attended Grand Committee and the February Communication of Grand Lodge in Edinburgh, which was the new MWGMM Bro W. Ramsay McGhee’s first meeting.

On Monday 11 February I attended a MM Degree at Lodge Firth of Clyde No 626.

On Thursday 14 February I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Inverkip Ardgowan No 1425 for their Annual Visitation of the year where we enjoyed an excellent FC Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18.

On Friday 15 February I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Greenock St John’s No 175 for their Annual Divine Service conducted by Rev Bro David Mitchell.

On Tuesday 19 February I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No 12 for their Annual Visitation where we enjoyed an excellent FC Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18. Bro Alistair Glenny PM was also presented with a Jewel and Certificate to mark his Honorary Grand Rank of Almoner. My thanks to IPPGM Bro James Livingstone who attended the Communication of the PGL of Kilwinning on the same evening.

On Thursday 21 February I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No 217, where we witnessed an excellent FC Degree, following the Degree Bro Archie Hoey PM was presented with a Certificate and Jewel to mark his 60 years as member of the Lodge.

On Friday 22 February I attended Lodge Greenock St John’s No 175, where Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626 were conferring a MM Degree.

On Saturday 23 February, in the company of IPPGM Bro James Livingstone and PG Sec. Bro Alan Beck we attended the Annual Communication of the PGL of Stirlingshire in Falkirk.On the same evening I attended a very enjoyable Annual Burns Supper of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No 12 within Greenock Town Hall.

On Monday 25 February I attended a MM Degree at Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626.

Along with the Team of Commissioned Office-bearers I am looking forward to the meeting of Masters and Wardens on Saturday 2 March.

Bro. Robin McIntyre PGM

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The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West was held within the Masonic Temple of Lodge Greenock St. John’s No. 175 on Friday 1^st February and it was very pleasing to have the initial problem of a short delay while extra seats were set up for the many brethren who crowded into the Lodge. On the evening, the brethren witnessed an excellent installation ceremony carried out in a friendly and dignified manner by Depute Provincial Grand Master, Brother John Williamson Black. For once all the elective office-bearers managed to make the meeting which allowed the opportunity to have a photograph taken with all the brethren present. We would welcome into the ranks of Provincial Grand Lodge our newest office-bearers, Brother Dr. Fraser Gray, who has taken on the role of Organist, Brother Alexander B Wilson, the office of Inner Guard and Brother John Tanner, the office of President of Stewards.

It was a delight to welcome into the Lodge many friends and visitors from sister Provinces including Argyll and the Isles, Ayrshire, Glasgow, Stirlingshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire East, Lanarkshire Middle Ward and Stirlingshire. On the evening, the deputation was headed by the Provincial Grand Master of Dunbartonshire, Brother James Forrest.

Answers on a postcard – what is the collective term for a group of Provincial Grand Masters? In this case, we had four Provincial Grand Masters present, from left to right – Brother William Steele, Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire, Brother James Forrest, Provincial Grand Master of Dunbartonshire, our own Provincial Grand Master of course, Brother William A Perry, Provincial Grand Master of Lanarkshire Middle Ward and Brother James C Peddie, Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow.

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Brother George J Carson, Past Master of Lodge Crawfurdsburn No. 1121 and Honorary Provincial Grand Chaplain was called to higher service on Sunday 27^th January 2019 at the age of 92.

In addition to his life in Freemasonry, George was a well-loved member of the Royal West of Scotland Boat Club and was still enthusiastically rowing in recent years. However, Brother George’s love for freemasonry was legendary and he was a regular visitor at all the Lodges in the Province until very recently, enjoying not only the meetings themselves but the fellowship which followed.

As a mark of respect, the boat Club will lowered its colours to half-mast as his funeral procession passed by on the way to his committal at Greenock Crematorium on Wednesday 6^th February 2019.

George had been a member of Lodge Crawfurdsburn No. 1121 for over 66 years having been initiated on the 9^th January 1953, Passed on 10^th June 1953 and Raised on the 17^th November 1953. He served as a very popular Master of the Lodge and had the honour of installing his son George into the chair of their mother Lodge.

In 2017, in his 90^th year, he was presented with his jewel as Honorary Provincial Grand Chaplain, which he proudly wore are every meeting until his passing. The phrase is that we can hope for no more than to live respected and die regretted and this was never more true than when applied to Brother George Johnstone Carson PM.

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On Saturday 5 January I attended a very enjoyable Senior’s lunch at Lodge Crawfurdsburn No 1121.

On Tuesday 7 January I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Crawfursdburn No 1121 for the first Annual Visitation of the year where we enjoyed an excellent FC Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18.

On Friday 11 January accompanied by PG Sec Bro Alan Beck, I attended Lodge Greenock St John’s No 175 where we welcomed 3 new Initiates into the Province.

On Monday 14 January I attended Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626 and had the pleasure of welcoming 2 new Initiates into the Province.

On Tuesday 15 January I attended Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No 12 and enjoyed an excellent paper delivered by Bro John S Miller Immediate Past PGM of Renfrewshire East entitled “The Mission of Freemasonry”.

On Thursday 17 January I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No 217 for their Annual Visitation where we enjoyed an excellent EA Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18. It was also good to note that 4 of the new Initiates into the Craft were present on that occasion.

On Saturday 19 January I attended Lodge Firth Clyde Gourock No 626 Annual Burn’s Supper.

On Saturday 27 January together with Dep PGM Bro John Black I attended the Annual Communication and Installation of Elective Office-bearers of the PG Lodge of Dunbartonshire and after the Installation we enjoyed an excellent dinner and hospitality. My thanks to IPPGM Bro James Livingstone and PG Sec Bro Alan Beck who attended a similar event on behalf of the Province at the PG Lodge of Renfrewshire East.

On Monday 28 January I had the pleasure of heading a Deputation from PGL to Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626 for their Annual Visitation where we enjoyed an excellent FC Degree and following the reports from PG Secretary and PG Treasurer, I was pleased to award the Lodge a Clear Minute for the session 2017-18.

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Some time ago, I advised that through Brother Jim Gardiner, PM1018 and Provincial Grand Chaplain of Dunbartonshire, I had come into possession of a number of hand-carved Crests of the former Burghs of Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow as well as one of Inverclyde Council and a clock depicting all four crests. These had been created by the father of Mrs Heather Clissett who is well known in the area for her fundraising activities on behalf of Erskine Hospital.

I offered these to the Lodges in the area through the medium of the Provincial Grand Lodge facebook page and I’m delighted to say that these crests are now the property of Lodge Firth of Clyde, Gourock No. 626 (Gourock), Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII, (Greenock Crest) and Lodge Doric Kilwinning No. 68 who took the Port Glasgow and Inverclyde Crests as well as the clock.

The Lodges were very generous with their donations and as a result a total of £150 was raised and as Mrs Clissett has such connections with Erskine Hospital, it seemed appropriate that the sum was donated to that most worthy of causes.

It was a privilege to visit the hospital on Tuesday 22^nd January and hand over the cheque with the generosity of the Lodges being acknowledged on the organisation’s own website.

Bro. Jim Livingstone IPPGM

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