Lodge Office Bearers 2011
In documenting our 250th Anniversary celebrations, it would seem appropriate to take a look back at the 200th Anniversary celebrations on 3rd August 1961 and the 225th Anniversary celebrations on 2nd August 1986.
The 200th celebrations in 1961 were led by Brother Lawrie Chalmers, Right Worshipful Master who welcomed Brother James Scott, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Midlothian representing the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Honorary Member of 85 whose family had an association with the lodge for three generations.
Brother Chalmers also received Brother Archie Grieve one of the oldest and staunchest members of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho.
During the Harmony supper which followed, toasts to the RWM and Absent Friends were proposed by Brother George Clark P.M of the Watsonians Lodge and by Brother Chalmers RWM. The formal rededication of the lodge was carried out by Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Right Honourable the Earl of Eglington and Winton. The deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire, on that occasion, was headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother Alexander Pennycook.
The bicentenary dinner was held at the Masonic Hall, Kirkliston on 28 October 1961 when the Grand Master Mason replied to the toast to Grand Lodge. Brother Sir Andrew Murray, Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No.2 gave an address to Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho. The 225th rededication ceremony of the lodge was held on 2nd August 1986.
The ceremony was conducted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Sir Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet. The Deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire, on that occasion, was headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother Alexander Fraser. After the rededication ceremony the brethren enjoyed a Rededication dinner in the lodge at which the M.W Grand Master Mason replied to the toast to Grand Lodge, proposed by Brother George Tyler PM.
The toast to Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho was proposed by Brother James Milne PM, Past Depute Provincial Grand Master. On Friday 3rd October 1961 the brethren and their good ladies enjoyed a dinner dance within the premises of Lodge Buchan St John 636 where they were entertained by the band Freeway. The bicentenary celebrations and the memories of that special occasion in 1961 were recorded for prosperity both in film and slide show. Indeed a large number of brethren came together on 22nd February 1963 when the films were shown by the courtesy of Brother Robert Harrison PM of Heart of Midlothian 832, Honorary Member 85 and Brother George Browning PM 85.
The 200th celebrations in 1961 were led by Brother Lawrie Chalmers, Right Worshipful Master who welcomed Brother James Scott, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Midlothian representing the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Honorary Member of 85 whose family had an association with the lodge for three generations.
Brother Chalmers also received Brother Archie Grieve one of the oldest and staunchest members of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho.
During the Harmony supper which followed, toasts to the RWM and Absent Friends were proposed by Brother George Clark P.M of the Watsonians Lodge and by Brother Chalmers RWM. The formal rededication of the lodge was carried out by Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Right Honourable the Earl of Eglington and Winton. The deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire, on that occasion, was headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother Alexander Pennycook.
The bicentenary dinner was held at the Masonic Hall, Kirkliston on 28 October 1961 when the Grand Master Mason replied to the toast to Grand Lodge. Brother Sir Andrew Murray, Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No.2 gave an address to Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho. The 225th rededication ceremony of the lodge was held on 2nd August 1986.
The ceremony was conducted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Sir Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet. The Deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire, on that occasion, was headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother Alexander Fraser. After the rededication ceremony the brethren enjoyed a Rededication dinner in the lodge at which the M.W Grand Master Mason replied to the toast to Grand Lodge, proposed by Brother George Tyler PM.
The toast to Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho was proposed by Brother James Milne PM, Past Depute Provincial Grand Master. On Friday 3rd October 1961 the brethren and their good ladies enjoyed a dinner dance within the premises of Lodge Buchan St John 636 where they were entertained by the band Freeway. The bicentenary celebrations and the memories of that special occasion in 1961 were recorded for prosperity both in film and slide show. Indeed a large number of brethren came together on 22nd February 1963 when the films were shown by the courtesy of Brother Robert Harrison PM of Heart of Midlothian 832, Honorary Member 85 and Brother George Browning PM 85.
250th Anniversary
The brethren gathered, once again, on 12 December 1986 to re-live the bicentenary celebrations by courtesy of a slide show when the commentary was provided by Brother Lawrie Chalmers PM and other brethren. Brother Chalmers was duly thanked for the insight he provided. The service of brethren from Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho to other Lodges reflects the enthusiasm of those for freemasonry.
The late Brothers Dr Ian Flynn and Adrian Frank Ford as well as Robert Scott PM and Brother Robert J Potter PM have all served terms as Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Pioneer 1305, the Linlithgowshire lodge of instruction and research.
Brother George Tyler having been installed as RWM of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho on 17th December 1965, was installed as Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Light 1656 on 1st April 1995, during their 25th Anniversary year. Brother Tyler being one of the many Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho brethren that were founder members of the Lodge of Light 1656.
It should also be noted that brethren from Ratho acted as sponsors of the Lodge of Light 1656 and on an earlier occasion sponsored Lodge St John, Corstorphine 788. The minutes of a lodge act as record of the past and a reference to the future. When our 250th Anniversary celebrations are concluded how they will be judged by the brethren of the future. Perhaps the best reference we have is the hope expressed by Brother Lawrie Chalmers P.M after the bicentenary in 1961.
The minutes of the Special Meeting of 3rd August 1961 record: “Brother Chalmers stated that as the brethren would hear the Lodge history from Sir Andrew Murray at the dinner in October we would have no history this evening and would content himself with saying that if future brethren look back on us and say 'Well Done' then we will have lived up to the great traditions of this very fine old lodge.”
On 30 March 2011 our RWM Bro. Robert J. Potter hosted an open evening of the lodge that enabled the village and the local community to gain an insight into the lodge's 250th Anniversary celebrations. Although modestly attended, the feedback from the community suggests the lodge still lies at the heart and minds of the residents of Ratho.
The RWM and Brethren of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho hope that you all enjoyed this brief look at the 250 year history of this ancient lodge.
The late Brothers Dr Ian Flynn and Adrian Frank Ford as well as Robert Scott PM and Brother Robert J Potter PM have all served terms as Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Pioneer 1305, the Linlithgowshire lodge of instruction and research.
Brother George Tyler having been installed as RWM of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho on 17th December 1965, was installed as Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Light 1656 on 1st April 1995, during their 25th Anniversary year. Brother Tyler being one of the many Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho brethren that were founder members of the Lodge of Light 1656.
It should also be noted that brethren from Ratho acted as sponsors of the Lodge of Light 1656 and on an earlier occasion sponsored Lodge St John, Corstorphine 788. The minutes of a lodge act as record of the past and a reference to the future. When our 250th Anniversary celebrations are concluded how they will be judged by the brethren of the future. Perhaps the best reference we have is the hope expressed by Brother Lawrie Chalmers P.M after the bicentenary in 1961.
The minutes of the Special Meeting of 3rd August 1961 record: “Brother Chalmers stated that as the brethren would hear the Lodge history from Sir Andrew Murray at the dinner in October we would have no history this evening and would content himself with saying that if future brethren look back on us and say 'Well Done' then we will have lived up to the great traditions of this very fine old lodge.”
On 30 March 2011 our RWM Bro. Robert J. Potter hosted an open evening of the lodge that enabled the village and the local community to gain an insight into the lodge's 250th Anniversary celebrations. Although modestly attended, the feedback from the community suggests the lodge still lies at the heart and minds of the residents of Ratho.
The RWM and Brethren of Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho hope that you all enjoyed this brief look at the 250 year history of this ancient lodge.