The Master's Diary – 2018 / 2019

Br David Pendreigh
Master, Lodge 195

This diary is intended to chart on a monthly basis my observations, thoughts, reflections and of course, visits over my term of office as Master of Lodge 195. Hopefully, it will be of interest to prospective Masters and won't discourage their Masonic ambitions and, perhaps might even be humorous.

Master’s Diary Archive

December 2018

1st December: Installation day and I am looking forward to being installed once again into the chair of King Solomon. Even though I have done it before, there is no denying the buzz of anticipation and excitement and being accorded this great honour by the brethren. As usual the 195 gang pull together, and the hall is set up in record time ready for our 3:30pm start. As regards the ceremony itself, my installing masters, RWM Bro Paul Mark Leslie of Lodge 39 and Bro Nigel Hutchins PM 195 do an excellent job both installing myself and the office bearers. I am delighted with the turnout on the day both from 195 brethren and our visitors. An excellent harmony and sore head follows and I would thank everyone who helped make the day such a success.

8th December: After a bit of re-arranging due to the awful weather I am in Rothesay to attend the annual installation at my Mother Lodge, Rothesay St John No 292. It's good to catch up with old friends and the ceremony itself is carried out in a most excellent manner by PM's James MacMillan and Ellis Rutherford both of 292.

10th December: Tonight, I attended The Athole Lodge No 384 where I witnessed an excellent Fellow Craft degree being worked by RWM Bro Liam Anderson and his office bearers. I was in the company of RWM Bro Angus Cameron of Lodge Ellangowan No 716 and RWM Bro Nigel Hutchins of Lodge Barrhill Twechar No 1444. Seems a bit funny sitting in the east with Bro Hutchins both being reigning masters from the same lodge.

13th December: First meeting after the installation and tonight we welcomed our good friends from Lodge Cumbernauld St Andrews No 199 with the large deputation being headed by IPM Bro Frank Gordon. A fine working of the Entered Apprentice degree on Bro Nigel Hutchins PM follows and we then sit down to harmony. Great to keep this friendship going and again the brethren of 195 excel with the catering and tidying up of the hall. Normal Masters rules for the raffle, donation made and no prize.

15th December: Attended the installation at Lodge Kilsyth St John No 39 where I witnessed Bro Stewart Cochrane being installed into the chair of King Solomon. The first new Master in lodge since 2007. It is an excellent ceremony carried out by PM's William Neil Mitchell and George Lauder, both very experienced brethren and it showed in the quality of the ritual. There are over 110 brethren in attendance which shows the popularity of Bro Cochrane. I am delighted that Lodge 195 are well represented with no less than 9 brethren in attendance in various guises. An excellent harmony follows, which even though I am the designated driver, I thoroughly enjoy. As it happens, the snow is falling so I end up taxiing a few brethren home but that's all part of the experience. Congratulations to all at 39 and best wishes for the year ahead.

17th December: Off to Lodge Concord Glasgow No 1341 tonight where I witness an excellent Entered Apprentice degree by Lodge Knightswood No 1445 headed by RWM Bro George Monteith. It's the first time I have seen 1445 in action and whilst the deputation was small in numbers it was made up for by the quality of the floor work. I am asked to comment on the degree by RWM Bro Ian Parker of Lodge Concord. I also take the opportunity to confirm that Lodge 195 will be available to carry out a degree on the 1st April. Hope that's not an omen. I am in the company of RWM Bro Eric Glencross of Lodge Clyde No 408. Thanks to Bro Alex Moore, Inner Guard 1341 for the lift over.

27th December: Busy night tonight as we have a "Business Only" meeting in the Village Hall followed by a short trip up to Kirkintilloch to visit our good friends at The Athole Lodge 384 where we exemplify the FC degree on PM David Brown. As always we are made very welcome by RWM Liam Anderson and the brethren of 384 on this our annual festive visit. It's great to see so many 195 brethren in attendance despite the various attractions on offer at this time of year. Best wishes to all for 2019.

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January 2019

9th January: Another year another visit. Tonight I attended Lodge Cumbernauld St Andrews No 199 where I witnessed an excellent Entered Apprentice degree by Lodge Coltswood Glenboig No 1067 led by their RWM Bro Iain Reid. 1067 are visiting 195 tomorrow night so no pressure!! Thanks to IPM Frank Gordon and the brethren of 199 for a very warm welcome into the lodge.

10th January: First regular meeting of 2019 and we welcome the brethren of Lodge Coltswood Glenboig into the lodge to work the Fellow Craft degree. The degree team led by RWM Bro Iain Reid deliver an excellent ritual on Bro Andrew Nicol SD, our "volunteer" for the evening. I am presented with a bottle of malt whisky and some shortbread by RWM Reid, 1067 being our "First Foots" of 2019. Great evening in the company of good friends.

15th January: Tonight accompanied by WSW PM Maxi Gray I took a wee trip down to visit our good friends at Lodge Clydesdale No 551 in Larkhall. PM Bro David King Anderson was also in attendance and we witnessed an excellent EA degree by Lodge St Thomas No 306. Thoroughly enjoyable evening in the company of good friends.

16th January: Off to the Lodge Barrhill Twechar No 1444 tonight to participate in a Reigning masters degree which is being hosted by RWM Bro Nigel Hutchins who is also JD 195. The degree goes very well despite a large number of Reigning Masters being involved, each with their own take on the ritual. As always, the degree is well supported and a good number of 195 brethren turnout which is much appreciated. Congratulations to RWM Hutchins on a very well organised evening and to all of the brethren of 1444 for their excellent hospitality.

17th January: Instruction class, practice for upcoming MM degree at Lodge 28. Signs are hopeful but practice needed!!!

24th January: Tonights visitors are The Athole Lodge 384 who are headed by their RWM Bro Liam Anderson. The degree team deliver an excellent FC degree on tonights "willing" volunteer PM Bro Maxwell Fulton Gray who is ably conducted by his brother Colin Gray SD 384. Again, both lodges are well supported and it is an excellent evening in the company of good friends.

26th January: It's the installation of Provincial Office Bearers today at the Quarterly communication so it's off to Dumbarton on the bus from Kirkintilloch, after an enjoyable journey we witness an excellent ceremony carried out by Depute PGM Bro David S Irving during which PM Brian Marshall is installed as Provincial Grand Junior Deacon. After and excellent ceremony we sit down to an excellent meal although we have no luck in the raffle. Lodge 195 are well represented on the day with myself, WSW Maxwell F Gray PM, WJW Bro Clive Greig, Almoner PM Brian Marshall, Chaplain PM David K Anderson , Secretary PM Graeme Kerr, Junior Deacon PM Nigel Hutchins and PM John R McCormack all in attendance

28th January: Campsie on tour tonight when we visit our good friends at Lodge Bonhill and Alexandria St Andrews Royal Arch No 321 to confer the Fellow Craft degree on Bro Ivor Nicholas. We are welcomed into the lodge by RWM Bro William McLaren and his brethren and having taken the chair we proceed to pass Bro Nicholas to the FC degree. I am delighted by the turnout of 195 brethren and brethren from other sister lodges and indeed by the quality of the ritual delivered by the brethren of 195. Once again my thanks to all concerned and the evening concludes with an excellent harmony in the company of the brethren of 321.

31st January: Something different tonight. Whilst the majority of the brethren are attending instruction class in anticipation of our visit to Lodge 28, myself, PM Hutchins and PM Marshall set off for deepest Ayrshire on a secret mission. The reason for our visit is to record what may be a unique event in that Lodge 195 currently provide 4 reigning masters in the same year. In the Province of East Dunbartonshire, Myself PM David Pendreigh currently Master of Lodge 195. PM Nigel Hutchins who is currently RWM of Lodge Barrhill 1444, PM Brian Marshall who is currently RWM of The Lodge Strathclyde No 1626 and in the Province of Ayrshire, Bro Kenneth Kidd who is currently RWM of Lodge Cumnock St Barnabas No 230, After a wee bit of difficulty in locating the lodge, due to the Provincial website having an old address, we are helped by a friendly local and trace the lodge to the town hall where we are warmly welcomed by RWM Kidd and the brethren of Lodge 230. Another Member of 195, Bro John Muir, WSW Lodge Burns Dundonald No is also in attendance to make the evening complete. We witness an excellent FC degree being worked by the brethren of 230 and enjoy some excellent hospitality thereafter. PM Hutchins takes some photographs of all the 195 brethren in attendance for posterity. It is fair to say that we will return to 230 in the future.

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February 2019

2nd February: Off on the short trip to Lodge 28 in Kirkintilloch tonight to confer the MM degree. We are warmly welcomed into a packed lodge room by RWM Bro Robert Henderson and his brethren and after taking the chair the degree team proceed to raise Bro Ronnie McKay to the high and sublime degree of a Master Mason in true Campsie fashion. It may not be orthodox but it is effective. Bro McKay is known socially to both myself and DM Stewart Fairbairn so it is a great honour and pleasure to be involved in his raising. Very favourable comments are received regarding the degree and my thanks go to everyone who took part not only in the degree but also those from our sister lodges who gave up their Saturday night to support 195. We thereafter enjoy an excellent harmony with RWM Henderson and his brethren.

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