Brethren from 85 attended historic Ye Ludge of Melrose 1bis Installation, Sat 25th June 2022

Four past masters of Kirknewton and Ratho 85; Bro's Scott, Harrower, Nevin and Potter, maintained the traditional sojourn to lodge Melrose St John 1bis in their June meeting on Saturday 25th, further cementing the ties between the lodges. 85 and 1bis have been exchanging visitations for decades and this meeting, post covid, recorded a break in a 300 year tradition of holding the annual installation on a day other than on St John's day (27th December). Even a planned and an unplanned medical excursion did not curtail the brethren making the visitation. Bro Brian W Lawson was installed as the master of Melrose St John 1bis  in a packed Corn Exchange by Bro George Donnelly, Past Master of Lodge St. Ebbe No. 70 and a Past Provincial Grand Master of the Province of East Lothian & Berwickshire, along with Bro. Duncan Taylor, Past Master. Likewise, in another break of tradition, the annual Masons' walk to and from Melrose Abbey, took place in daylight hours, negating the need for the infamous and perhaps perilous wax torch lights! A thoroughly enjoyable day out was had by all. see ​The Lodge of Melrose St John No 1bis