visits

Copyright © 2009 by The St Johns Operative Lodge Rutherglen No.347. All rights reserved. 5 Dec 08 Attended the Installation at Lodge Toryglen 1561 to see Past Master Sammy being installed for a second time. As usual another great night. 13 Dec 08 Accompanied by PM’s Robert White and George Jackson and Brother Wille Kerr we attended the Installation of Brother Willie Semple at The United Lodge Dunkeld No.14. This was a fantastic ceremony with an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable Harmony where I won a lovely bottle of Malt whisky. It was 3am when we got back to Glasgow feeling no pain. 18 Dec 08 Along with several Brethren from 347 I went along to the Installation of Brother Paul Linnoch at Lodge Burnside 1361. 19 Dec 08 Due to a last minute cancellation of an official visit to Lodge Kilbryd I and a few others were able to hotfoot it to Brother Greg Patterson’s Installation at Lodge Cambuslang Royal Arch 114. An excellent ceremony and another late night ensued! 27 Dec 08 Myself, Allan Edmiston, PM Bobby Beattie and PM Paul Kelly went out to The Operative Lodge Airdrie No.203 for Brother Graeme Wood’s Installation. It was good to give him some support given that he is a regular visitor to 347. There was certainly a different method of putting him in the Chair of King Solomon! 13 Jan 09 Visited Lodge Scotia 178 where I witnessed an excellent 1st Degree by Lodge Robert Burns 440. It was quite different in some respects from the way we perform a 1st degree at 347. The good thing about it was that there was only 1 Past Master on the floor and all the rest of the degree workers were young office bearers. Incidentally Lodge Scotia had no PM’s in any office, all progressive office bearers. Another thing worth mentioning was that Lodge 440 were from the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward and they were carrying out a 1st degree in the Province of Glasgow! The RWM, PM’s and office bearers asked me to take back fraternal greetings to my RWM and Brethren. 26 Jan 09 Visited Lodge Nitshill 1478 accompanying the Deputation from Lodge Union and Crown 307 where I witnessed a very fine 3rd degree. It was conferred on Bro Lee Campbell who was PM George Munn’s grandson. Interesting to note that there were 31 in the deputation. 4 Feb 09 Visited Lodge Cambuslang Royal Arch 114 where I joined the Deputation from Lodge Cadder Freestone. Witnessed an excellent rendition of the 3rd degree. Met Brother Joe Mercer who was a member of Cadder Freestone but said his Mother Lodge was 347 and that he hoped to pay us a visit soon. 5 Feb 09 Attended Grand Lodge quarterly meeting which was held at Albert Halls Stirling instead of Edinburgh due to the restoration of the organ. The good news to come from the meeting which was relayed to the members of 347 was that each daughter Lodge in the country would receive a share of the money (900K) that Grand Lodge had received after winning their case against the tax man which had been ongoing since 1972 over fees and vat paid. There was a cautionary note regarding looking into storing records and archiving records after a recent fire in Arderry Street, Partick resulted in the Lodges which meet there losing everything as the fire destroyed everything. 10 Feb 09 Visited Lodge Pollokshaws Royal Arch 153 where I witnessed an excellent 1st degree by Lodge St. Andrews 524. The hospitality received from the RWM and Brethren was again second to none and I couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome. 17 Feb 09 Accompanied by the RWM, I visited Lodge Union and Crown 307 in Barrhead expecting to see a 2nd degree by Lodge St. Conval only for their syllabus to be changed due to candidates work commitments. Instead we were treated to a dramatised 2nd degree by the Brethren of 307. This is something I have seen on a number of occasions now and I would strongly recommend anyone who hasn’t seen this to get themselves along. You wont be disappointed. I even won something in the raffle!!! 18 Feb 09 I went along to Sir George Cathcart 617 for the first time after having promised their RWM and especially their IPM for a long time that I would tip up at one of their meetings. I have known their IPM for a number of years and frequently meet him abroad on Scotland trips. They were carrying out an exemplification of the 1st degree and as I was the only visitor there I was asked unexpectedly to comment on the degree. Oh well, good practice for what’s to come after 27 November! 19 Feb 09 Visited Lodge Burnside 1361 and witnessed a 2nd Degree conferred by one of our sister Lodges, Rutherglen Royal Arch 116. 24 Feb 09 Visited Pollokshaws Royal Arch No 153 again to witness a FC Degree by the Brethren of Lodge Eaglesham 1265. Another excellent night and spent some time listening to some of the visits carried out by one of Lodge Eaglesham’s Past Master’s. 25 Feb 09 Accompanied by PM Paul Kelly, the IPM and Junior Warden I visited Lodge Eaglesham 1265 for the very first time. A lovely purpose built Temple. We saw a Mark Degree by the Office Bearers and Brethren of Lodge St Peter Galston 331. This was a cracking degree and I would urge any Brother to go and see this Lodge at work especially in the Mark Degree. I wont spoil it and tell you how they make the candidate carry the Mark! 26 Feb 09. Myself and the RWM visited Lodge The Gael 609 and saw a fine 2nd Degree by Lodge Moorpark 1263. Athoroughly entertaining harmony followed with Gaelic singing, some piping and story telling, interspersed with speeches and toasts. It was still going on when we said our goodbyes late on! 1 May 09 Visited Lodge Rutherglen 116 to see Lodge Burnside 1361 carry out a 1st Degree. This degree is conferred differently from most Lodges in that they work the McBride ritual. It is certainly something you don’t see very often. 347 will be putting the Candidate through his 2nd degree! 6 May 09 Visited Lodge Busby 458 and went in with the deputation from Lodge Douglas 1557. This was an exemplification of the 1st Degree ably carried out by the Brethren of Lodge Douglas. 9 May 09 Along with Past Master Robert White I visited Lodge Mallaig 1056 for a 100 year re-dedication ceremony. This was held in the village community hall and started at 2.45pm in order that it was finished in time for visiting Brethren from Skye to catch the ferry home. Incidentally the lodge members from 881 in Portree had travelled to Inverness the night before for a visitation. It is only in visiting Lodges from more isolated places that you appreciate the travelling involved in visitations! This was the first re-dedication ceremony I had witnessed and it was performed with dignity and aplomb by the PGM and his deputation from Inverness-Shire. My thanks go to PM Bob for undertaking the long drive there in the morning and back again the same evening. The raffle was somewhat different, as well as the usual prizes, there was salmon and venison. I won a beautiful 5.5lb piece of fresh salmon. Superb! 20 May 09 Past Master Ian Robertson and myself visited Lodge Georgetown Cardonald No.1170 to see a 2nd degree conferred by Lodge Bishopbriggs No.1259. This was an exemplification and the candidate who stood in was from Lodge Renfrew County Kilwinning No.370. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay for harmony on this particular occasion. 25 May 09 Accompanied by the RWM, PM Bob White and our Almoner, we visited Lodge St James Newton Upon Ayr No. 125 where we witnessed a very fine MMM degree by Lodge Ferguson St James No. 566. I’m led to believe there was a tie up between St. James in Ayr and ourselves some years back. They have a really lovely temple and it was a good evening with a big number of Brethren in attendance. The young IG delivered a quite exceptional charge at the end and Willie Kerr won a bottle of wine from the raffle. 26 May 09 I visited Pollokshaws Royal Arch 153 along with our WJW to witness an excellent rendition of the MMM Degree conferred on one of their regular stand in candidates Bro. Ian Kirk by Lodge Cadder Argyll No.147. They brought through a large deputation including the RWM of Kyle Kildrum 1602 Cumbernauld. 2 Jun 09 Accompanied by the same Brethren as on my previous visit to Ayrshire last week, we attended Lodge Thistle and Rose Stevenson No 169. This is the biggest Temple in Ayrshire and it was very impressive. An exemplification of the third degree was conferred by Lodge Observance Tennessee No.686. This was something not to be missed and news of this deputations visit had spread far and wide, with many Lodges being represented. Just under 250 Brethren witnessed it, the majority sitting in shirtsleeves having removed their jackets due to the exceptional heat. It really was special to see their labours being carried out and we stayed for some food and harmony. A thoroughly enjoyable evening despite the oppressive heat! 5 Jun 09 Myself, PM Bob White, IPM Davie Murray, WJW Allan Edmiston and IG Eddie Furie went along to Rutherglen RA 116 to see the Past Masters of 116 carry out a third degree. The candidate was put through his first by Lodge Burnside, his second degree by our Lodge on 15 April, so it was nice to witness the third Rutherglen Lodge conferring his third degree. It was an excellently worked degree and the PGM Renfrewshire East was also in attendance. We stayed for some harmony before going our separate ways. 23 Jun 09 I went along to Lodge Neptune 419 in Clifford Street where I witnessed a very fine Wardens EA Degree. This was performed by Wardens from within and outwith the Province of Glasgow. There was a visitor from Canada who I got chatting to at the harmony (lovely meal) whose wife’s father was a Mason in Rutherglen from 1951 – 1957 before emigrating to Canada. I said I would find out if he was a member of our Lodge and would E-Mail him of any information I could obtain. 6 Jul 09 I had the pleasure of visiting Lodge Fortrose 108 in Stornoway while I was visiting my wife’s parents. Unfortunately it was a Monday afternoon and so I didn’t see the Lodge in labour. The oldest living Past Master (his name escapes me) took me up to the temple, showed me round and explained the history of the Lodge. I chatted to him for a while, had a drink in the social club and signed the visitors book before I left. 13 Aug 09 Being in Oslo for the Scotland World Cup qualifier (the less said the better), I took the opportunity of visiting the Grand Lodge Of Norway. This was quite simply a stunning building of huge proportions. A very kind caretaker chap spent 45 minutes showing me round with various Temples set up for different degrees and different orders. All the previous Grandmasters of Norway had huge hand painted portraits dating from 1757 hanging in a huge banquet hall designed to accommodate 550 people for a meal. Words can’t do justice to this building and if you find yourself in Oslo, go along, introduce yourself and you will be in complete awe of the whole scene. 28 Aug 09 I went along to visit Lodge Glasgow at Glasgow 441 to catch up with some old friends, where the Brethren of Lodge Southern Cross 1243 conferred an exemplification of the Fellowcraft Degree. Despite being short in numbers their degree work was of a very high standard. This was the first time I had seen them at work. 1 Sep 09 Supporting the Brethren of Rutherglen Royal Arch 116, myself, the RWM, and Past Master Paul Kelly visited Lodge Southern Cross 1243 where we witnessed a very fine exemplification of the EA Degree ably conferred by Bro. Jim Shields, WSW of 116. The meal afterwards was top class; soup then main course then pudding followed by cheese and biscuits with coffee, all washed down with a nice cold pint of lager. Unfortunately I didn’t win anything in the raffle! 22 Sep 09 I visited Lodge St Andrew 524 East Kilbride accompanied by Bro. Peter McBride a regular visitor to our Lodge to boost the deputation from Lodge Pollokshaws RA 153 who were there to carry out an Entered Apprentice Degree. There were 9 Past Masters in their deputation and they carried out a thoroughly professional degree on a very attentive candidate. This was a very worthwhile visit for myself as I had missed our official visit a fortnight earlier due to working in Cyprus! 29 Sep 09 RWM Brother Brian Keenan and myself went along to Pollokshaws Royal Arch 153 to witness Lodge St. Christopher 1453 carry out an exemplification of the FC Degree. There were various Brethren from within and outwith the province in their healthy deputation numbering 16 Brethren. It was rather interesting to watch the degree as there were quite a number of differences from the way our Lodge works it. As usual in Pollokshaws, a very warm and friendly welcome was extended to us and as usual the hospitality was second to none! 6 Oct 09 Went along to visit Lodge Southern Cross 1243 to see Lodge Nitshill 1478 carry out an exemplification of the FC Degree on their IPM! I went in with the deputation of 15 brethren comprising of brethren from Rutherglen RA as well. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the harmony. 7 Oct 09 Along with IPM David Murray and WJW Allan Edmiston, I went to Cambuslang RA 114 to see an exemplification of the MM Degree carried out by the Brethren of Lodge St. Bryde 579 from Uddingston. They had a large deputation and it was the first time I had seen them at work. It was an excellent degree performed to a very high standard. The harmony was excellent and we were well looked after by the master and his brethren. 20 Oct 09 I attended the Annual Installation at Lodge Meridian 1779 in Burnbank and District Masonic Temple along with our own RWM. This is a daytime lodge so the ceremony began at 1pm. It was an excellent ceremony and the 2 installing masters were brilliant. A great afternoon was had with the whisky flowing and a thoroughly appetising bowl of soup followed by a lovely steak pie and some cheese and biscuits. It was just as well there was a mug of coffee and not a cup of coffee after the meal as that countered the effects of the large drams! 21 Oct 09 Myself and IPM Davie Murray went along to Cambuslang Royal Arch 114 to witness their Past Masters and Office Bearers confer an exemplification of the EA Degree. The floorwork was faultless and the harmony was good thereafter. 24 Oct 09 Attended the installation ceremony at Lodge McLaren 1688 along with PM Bob White and PM Paul Kelly. Another excellent display of floorwork from the two installing masters, PM Iain Murray Lodge Busby 458 and PM Ian Rennie PM Lodge McLaren. 27 Oct 09 I visited Lodge Scotia Glasgow 178 where I witnessed an excellent E. A. Degree ably conferred by an experienced team of degree workers from Lodge Eastmuir 1126. As ever I was warmly welcomed by all the Brethren and stayed for a good bit of harmony before getting thoroughly drenched on making my way home! 29 OCT 09 Attended the quarterly meeting of Grand Lodge in Edinburgh. Saw a number of familiar faces, but there was nothing of note to report. Spent a fortune in Victoria Regalia and had a couple of drinks after the meeting then home. 3 NOV 09 Along with the RWM of the Operative Lodge of Airdrie 203 and one of his PM’s we visited Lodge Union and Crown 307 to witness their dramatised version of the MM Degree. I have seen them doing the dramatised FC Degree a few times but this was a first! Visitors from a number of Lodges were in attendance and I’m sure when news of this one spreads there will be a clamour to go and see it as it was only the third time they had performed it. This is really worth seeing! The harmony afterwards was also vey busy and a good time was had chatting to a number of old friends. 4 NOV 09 The RWM and myself took a trip down to Lodge 331 St. Peter Barr Castle Galston in Ayrshire. It was the first time I had visited and I received a very warm, friendly and sincere welcome. They have a beautiful little temple and we witnessed Lodge 505 Burns St Mary from Hurlford confer a very well worked MMM Degree, a bit different to our own. The RWM, myself and a couple of other visitors had the added privilege of being shown round the museum upstairs from the lodge room. My thanks for that go to Bro. Thomas Murray PM, the museum curator an expert historian! I must return for a full tour of the museum some day. 10 NOV 09 Myself and IPM David Murray attended the annual installation of Pollokshaws R.A. 153 to witness PM David McLachlan taking the Chair for a second time. PM’s Paul Kelly and Euan Mackie were in attendance in their Provincial attire. It was a very quick ceremony as installations go. The harmony as ever at Pollokshaws was superb. They have got to be one of the most welcoming Lodges in the province. The raffle for a change was very kind to me! 12 NOV 09 Paid a visit to Lodge Salfire 1505 where I saw Lodge Milncroft 1515 carry out an E.A Degree which was very similar to our own apart from differences in the apron and the obligation. I went in with the deputation helping to swell it to a very healthy 18. Met some old friends at the harmony but unfortunately no luck this time with the raffle. 14 NOV 09 I went along to the annual installation at Lodge Nitshill 1478. It was 30 years to the day that David Bannerman had first taken the chair in the Lodge. There was a good turnout of familiar faces and an excellent installing of the office bearers was carried out. I couldn’t stay for the harmony and had to leave after the ceremony. 17 NOV 09 I visited Lodge Oatlands 1005 to witness Lodge Salfire 1505 carry out an excellent rendering of the FC Degree even though it was an exemplification. They brought along a large deputation and it was good to see them working after only being at their own Lodge the previous week. The RWM of Oatlands was someone who was a couple of years younger than me at school and his IPM, his own brother was a couple of years ahead of me at school. He invited me to sit in the East and asked to comment on the degree. The curry harmony was excellent and the hospitality shown was superb and we reminisced about our school days and the Boys Brigade. I even won another bottle of whisky in the raffle. A great night. 18 NOV 09 I visited Lodge Sir George Cathcart 617 where I saw their own brethren carry out an exemplification of the M.M Degree. They had a good turn out and again I was invited to the East and asked to comment on the degree. I enjoyed some good harmony afterwards with the brethren. Visits

Bro Neil Harper’s Visits as WSW