The feet of our RWM were blown away at Lodge Hopeton St John, said Bro McMaster RWM last night in his reply after receiving honorary membership from Lodge Hopeton St John 1232. It was a very well kept secret on a superbly organised special meeting at 1232, a true one off. Bro McMaster received this honour from RWM Bro. Martin Nelson for his services as Provincial Grand Almoner. In recognition of this honour, the PGM also brought a distinguished ad-hoc deputation and a plethora of Kirknewton and Ratho No.85 brethren were there supporting too.

The annual PGL Visitation will take place on Monday 10th March 2025 with a 7pm tyle. This is a slight change to the normal calendar, which will also include a Jubilee presentation and the first PGL visitation to our new premises of Ratho Bowling Club, 42-46 Main Street, EH28 8RB. The old lodge car park will be open for anyone wishing to park there too.

​What a great Night!!!!
Another successful Burns Supper in Lodge Kirknewton and Ratho No.85. Thanks to the members of the Lodge and Ratho Bowling Club for supporting this event.

Bro Mark Nevin PM had the great honour to address the Haggis at the Festival of St Andrew in front of a packed O2 academy in Edinburgh on the 28th November, which followed the installation of Bro W Ramsay McGhee as Grand Master Mason.

Bro Ian Harrower took a well deserved bow on Friday 8th November after such a tumultuous and eventful year in the chair of Lodge Kirknewton and Ratho No.85. It all started so well in December, but by the end of February the master had to preside over and engineer some massive decisions by the Lodge. Decisions that resulted in a major shift in operating strategy of the Lodge, the building put up for sale and preparations made to become a tenant Lodge in other premises and on a different meeting night. "Bro Harrower can be proud of what he has achieved during his year in office, very proud, very proud", said the Master Elect in a toast to the Master on Friday's Regular meeting. The Lodge was filled with numerous visiting brethren from all over Scotland, some as far flung such as Ballingry, Bonnyrigg and as near as our sister Lodges from the metropoles of MidCalder, Fauldhouse and the Ferry. St Margaret No.548 South Queensferry, originally sponsored by 85, brought a very distinguished deputation and to mark the historic occasion presented the Lodge with an engraved decanter suitably inscribed to record in history the last regular meeting and degree by the Lodge in the Dalmahoy Road premises, our home for the last 54 years. Bro McMaster paid tribute to the humongous amount of visiting that Bro Harrower had completed during his term, nothing short of 130 reported visitations, equating to some 73% of the time in the masonic season spent visiting hundred's other Lodges. It was also acknowledged that Bro Harrower during this term completed the return of the HM jewels and medals to the Lodges and Provinces belonging to his dearest friend and Brother, the late Bro Jack Wallis PM, which was a very emotional journey, reminiscing return to all the respective lodges. Bro Harrower, wiping away his tears and acknowledging the tremendous support from Liz and the girls, can now sit back and reflect on an excellent year as Master of Lodge Kirknewton and Ratho No.85.

​Another historic night was recorded in the ferry with Kirknewton and Ratho 85, when two members of the RathKirkFerri team were made honorary members of St Margaret 548, namely Bro Murrie Thomson PM482 HM85 and Bro Mark Nevin PM 85. This honour was bestowed in recognition of their efforts and contributions to St Margaret No 548 during the 150th Anniversary celebrations. Bro Nevin and Bro Thomson were blown away when the DOC Bro Milne was requested to make a special presentation. Of course almost everyone in attendance knew this was about to happen, apart from Bro Nevin and Thomson and a big thanks is due to Depute Provincial Grand Master Bro Tommy Walker (Gemmill, ha ha ha) for bringing a deputation along from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire. Huge congratulations to both brethren for their well deserved honour and of course the host master Bro John Anderson RWM 548 and also a HM85, for a most successful 85482 degree and excellent meeting, thoroughly enjoyed by all.

​The first regular meeting of the new season will be held on Friday 13th September 2024.
Lodge tyles at 7pm for members only business. Visitors and deputations will be most welcome and shall be admitted from 07:30pm.
​The usual Ratho Fayre and Harmony will follow the meeting.

Syllabus
Kirknewton and Ratho 85 syllabus up to and including our installation on 13th December 2024. Please note all regular meetings commence with a 7:00pm tyle for members only, visitors being received at 7:30pm. Installation will tyle for all at 7:00pm prompt.
 
Lodge Kirknewton and Ratho Meeting Dates and details: -

• Friday 13th September Regular meeting 2nd degree, Deputations
• Friday 11th October Regular meeting 2nd degree, Deputations
• Friday 8th November Regular meeting 2nd degree. Masters’ greeting meeting, Deputation from 548
• Friday 13th December Installation, 7pm prompt tyle

A warm welcome awaits all visitors and the usual harmony will follow the conclusion of the meetings.