NEWS 2015

December

A large number of Brethren from the Lodge attended the funeral of Bro. William (Wullie) Macready a Master Mason of the Lodge on Wednesday 23 December 2015 at South Lanarkshire Crematorium. Bro.Macready led a full and interesting life particularly in the East Kilbride footballing fraternity and he was supported this day by many from that group. Although his MS had confined him to home during recent years he was kept in touch with Lodge activities by Bro. William Dick our Lodge Almoner. The thoughts of the Lodge are with his family, in particular his brother, Bro. Donald Macready PM who is undergoing his own serious illness at this time.

November

Bro. Alec Marshall received his Master Mason degree at the hands of Lodge KilBryd No.1667, Comments on the degree were made by Bro. Allan Gowans, RWM of LOdge Hamilton Kilwinning No.7 (newly installed as Master on Wednesday 25 November, congratulations Allan)

October

Bro. Alec Marshall, brother of Bro.Kenny Marshall joined the Lodge on Friday the 23rd October. Aged 60, he has lived in East Kilbride since 1965 and has 3 children, son Steven and daughters Lynne and Yvonne. He works as a Support Worker in Manse Lane in the Village, East Kilbride. He wanted to join freemasonry to enjoy the fellowship and comradeship of the Brethren and become part of the local community and be involved in local charity work.

Congratulations to Bro. John McClymont PM on being installed as First Principal of East Kilbride Royal Arch Chapter No.781

116 Brethren attended the Ballerup Hall In East Kilbride on Saturday 10 October to witness Bro. David William Allan Jephson being installed as Master by Bro. Donald Alexander PM and Bro. Graham Clive Cuthill PM. Quote from Provincial Grand Master, Bro. John Samuel Miller 'it was superb'.

On Thursday 8th October, RWM, Bro. Michael Dailly led a Deputation of 16 Brethren to Lodge Queens Edinburgh Rifles (The Royal Scots) No.1253 to witness Bro. Peter Frenes being affiliated to that Lodge.

September

Congratulations to Bro.Andrew Leckie Tannahill, Past Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East (1977-1982), Past Master of Lodge Prince of Wales No.426 who celebrated his 100th Birthday on 24 September 2015.

Bro. Tannahill led the Provincial Grand Lodge Deputation to Lodge Douglas when we celebrated our 25th Anniversary in June 1984.

Five Provincial Grand Masters (Left to Right)

David Alexander Reid (2007-1012), Frank Johnstone (1997-2002), Dixon John Drye (2002-2007), John Samuel Miller (2012-to date)

Andrew Leckie Tannahil (1977-1982)

Five Brethren from Lewis Lodge No.872 in Whitehaven are set on attending the Installation next month.

August

28 August MMM Degree was conferred by the Lodge Past Masters on Bro. Samuel Little and Bro. Ken Marshall

The Lodge Almoner gave a full report (see Almoner's Report). Noted that 16 PM's were in attendance. Sitting modestly aside was Bro. Archie Chalmers, Junior Grand Standard Bearer. It was good to see Bro. Brian McBride in the Lodge after his recent illness.

Bro. Peter Frenes a member of Lodge Douglas is affiliating to Lodge Queens Edinburgh Rifles (The Royal Scots) (Edinburgh) No. 1253 on Thursday 8 October. This Lodge meets in the Masonic Hall, Elgin House, 6 Easter Road, Edinburgh EH7 5RG. The RWM intends leading a deputation to this meeting.

A meeting of the Douglas, East Kilbride Masonic Trust, took place on Thursday 20 August

Rehearsal for the MMM degree, took place on Sunday 23 August.

Our RWM, Bro. Michael Dailly was involved in a road traffic collision recently. He is wearing a neck brace and wrist support. Badly shaken he is on the way to recovery and attended the MMM rehearsal.

May

RWM Bro. Michael Dailly would like to thank all Brethren who attended the meeting on 22 May and especially Lodge Toryglen No.1561 who carried out a demonstration of the MM Degree.

On Wednesday 20 May 2015, the Lodge learned of the passing of Bro. Alexander Thomson Cowley PM in 1984/85 and again in 1992/93. His funeral took place on Friday 29 May 2015, firstly at the Baptist Church in Calderwood, East Kilbride and thereafter at South Lanarkshire Crematorium.

The Lodge expresses its sincere condolences to Mrs Ann Cowley and her family.

Bro. Ricky McDonnell contacted the Webmaster in late March. He advised that he was unable to wear the 1557 colours these days as he is currently in his 3rd term as Master, the 2nd in Housatonic Lodge No. 61; Also the Associate Grand Marshall to the Connecticut Grand Lodge so has to wear the GL apron when travelling to the Lodges within the district. He hopes to step down as Master in December 2015. Bro. McDonnell was instrumental in creating the office of Almoner in his Lodge. His Grand Master was impressed with this initiative that he has created the office of Grand Almoner. The concept of these positions originated with Bro. Ricky's knowledge of Lodge Douglas's Almoner Bro. Bill Dick.

April

On Thursday 30 April the Lodge received the sad news that Mrs Betty McDougall, wife of Bro.Charlie McDougall, had passed away. The funeral took place on Thursday 7 May and a large number of Douglas brethren, some with their wives, were present.

The Lodge learned that Mrs Jean Scott wife of Bro.Dougie Scott (Lodge Tyler for many years) had passed away.

Eight Brethren of the Lodge attended the East Kilbride Lodges Divine Service on Tuesday 28 April hosted this year by Lodge St.Andrew No.524.

Lodge Livingstone, Blantyre No.599 visited the Lodge on Friday 24 April and carried out a demonstration of the EA Degree.

The Lodge visited our good friends at Lodge Coila St. Andrew No.1334 on Monday 20 April and conferred the EA Degree.

The Lodge was saddened to learn today Sunday 19th of the passing of Mrs Doreen Watt, wife of Bro.John Watt PM Lodge Rutherglen Royal Arch No.116 and PSPGW. Bro.Watt has been a regular visitor to Lodge Douglas over many years and the condolences of the Lodge are sent to him and his son, David. The funeral was held on Friday 24 April 2015 at South Lanarkshire Crematorium at which the Lodge was represented.

The Lodge visited Lodge Saint Conval, Giffnock No.1359 on the 17 April and conferred a FC Degree. There were 18 Brethren in the Deputation.

Bro. Samuel Little received his MM Degree (on 10 April) which was conferred by Lodge Dramatic No.571 headed by RWM Bro. Gordon Wallace. He was accompanied by RWM's Bro. David Plankett Lodge Larchgrove No.1515, Bro. Ross Gibson Lodge St.Andrew No. 126, Bro. Richard Bethel Lodge Blantyre Kilwinning No.577.

Also in attendance was Bro. Robert McPhee SPGM who was making his first visit to the Lodge.

March

A little bit of Douglas history was made this evening (27 March 2015) when Bro. Robert Leitch Alexander PM of Lodge St Andrew No.524 affiliated to Lodge Douglas with the Obligation being administered by Bro. Donald Alexander PM 1557 (his son).

Lodge Saint Conval No.1359 then conferred a Demonstration of the FC Degree with Bro. Douglas Wilson Thomson PM 1561 being kind enough to act as the candidate.

Our RWM took part in the EK reigning Masters Degree at Lodge St Andrew No.524 on Tuesday 24 March 2015.

The Lodge visited Lodge Newton Mearns No.1706 on Thursday 19 March 2015 and conferred the MM Degree - deputation of 15 Brethren.

The Lodge received a deputation from Lodge Newton Mearns No.1706 who conferred a Demonstration of the EA Degree on Friday 13 March. The view of senior Past Masters was this was the first occasion Lodge Newton Mearns had visited Douglas to confer a Degree.

On Tuesday 10 March 2015 the Lodge visited Lodge St.Andrew No.524 with a Deputation of 20 Brethren to confer a Demonstration of the EA Degree

The Lodge learned on Sunday 8 March 2015 that Bro. Allan Ramsay PM Lewis Lodge No.872 E.C. Honorary Member of Lodge Douglas had passed to the Grand Lodge Above after a short illness. His funeral was held on Thursday 19 March in Whitehaven.

The Lodge visited Lodge Toryglen No. 1561 on Friday 6 March 2015 and conferred the FC Degree. The Master appreciated the support of Brethren who accompanied him.

On Friday 27 March 2015, Bro. Samuel Little received his FC Degree at the hands of the Worshipful Wardens.

February

Bro. John Jackson Wilson PM 1557 passed to the Grand Lodge Above on Thursday 26 February 2015.

Bro.Wilson was Master of the Lodge in 1989/90. His funeral was held on Friday 6 March 2015 at South Lanarkshire Crematorium and a large number of Brethren attended with Regalia being worn.