Lodge History Pt2
The Last 25 Years
1997-98. On the 15th September 1997 Brother Thomas Collins was installed as RWM in the year of our 25th Anniversary with 150 Brethren and visiting Brethren from within and out with the Provence in attendance on that occasion. A deputation of Founder Members were also welcomed on that day and was headed by Bro Norman Robb PM of Lodge St Andrew No 524. The rededication ceremony was carried out by the RWPGM Bro Frank Johnston and 25 of his Provincial Office Bearers on the day, where special reference was given to the dedication and work carried out by the following Brethren during the first 25 years of the Lodge - Bro A. Brown PM, D. McMinn PM, M. King PM, W. McGillivray PM and J. Goldie PM PGSW of RE.
During his year in office 19 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 5 Initiates and 1 Affiliate with 6 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. Honorary Membership was given to 4 brethren of Lodge Douglas in recognition of their efforts in refurbishing Douglas Hall. Many gifts were received during the year by our sister Lodges and are still on display or are being used within the Lodge to this day, in addition, new Warden’s columns were made by Bro R Feelie PM 1667 and a Master’s chair was made by Bro J Goldie PM 1667
1998-99. On the 3rd October 1998 Brother William McKay was installed as RWM. During his year in office 19 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 5 Initiates with 5 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. During this year the Lodge presented a Gavel to our good friends of Thistle Lodge No. 62 Dumfries which had kindly been made for us by Bro Archie Murray PM Lodge Inchinnan No.1405. Bro David Jack PM of Lodge Nitshill 1478 also crafted a gavel which was presented to the Lodge by Bro Matt King on the occasion of the annual Past Master’s degree. On this occasion, Bro Matt King PM drew attention to the fact that Bro David Jack had also previously made and gifted the Lodge Tracing Boards which are on display and used within the Lodge to this day. Other notable points in this year were the Notion of Motion to change the meeting nights to a Friday and the addition of one of our Mark Pennies being inserted in a Time capsule which was being planted by the PGLRE. In addition, the practice of the RWM presenting our candidate with the EA, FC, MM and MMM certificates at the edge of the carpet was resumed.
1999-00. On the 2nd October 1999 Brother William Stevenson was installed as RWM for a second time. During his year in office 18 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 4 Initiates and 1 affiliate with 3 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. During this year the Lodge made the Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East Bro Frank Johnston an Honorary Member of Lodge Kil Bryd and the RWM was photographed with the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Bro Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing Bart on the occasion of delivering the NEC during the Reigning Masters Degree at Lodge Dunblane No IX. Other notable events were the temporary return of our Lodge meeting nights to Kittoch Street, home to Lodge St Andrew No.524, due to a fire which occurred this year, the Lodge minutes becoming digital after having been hand written up to this point and a Millennium Ball ran by the 4 Sister Lodges in the town raising £600 for the PGLRE CHAS appeal.
2000-01. On the 7th October 2000 Brother Jackie Goldie was installed as RWM for a second time. On this occasion Bro Jim Muir PM of Lodge McLaren 1668 and Bro John Smith PM 1667 were Installing Masters. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 4 Initiates and 1 Affiliate with 4 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. Bro Morris Smith PM Lodge Kirkhill No, 1230 was made Honorary Member of the Lodge in recognition of his work Providing Music at our annual Installations and his continued support of Lodge Kil Bryd. During this year the Lodge finally moved its meeting night to a Friday and The Douglas Trust approved the building of an extension to Douglas Hall. Some sports success saw the Lodge bring home a Trophy after winning the East Kilbride Royal Arch Bowling competition in an exclusively Kil Bryd Final. On the occasion of the visitation made by Lodge St John Busby No. 458 to confer the MMM degree, two Brethren from the Grand Lodge of Canada were in their Deputation.
2001-02. On the 6th October 2001 Brother Peter Sime was installed as RWM by his own father Bro William Sime PM and Bro Scott Henderson PM. This was only the second time the Lodge had seen a father Install his own son, the only other surprisingly was on the occasion of the other Installing Master Bro Scott Henderson PM who was installed by his father Bro George Henderson PM Lodge 1242 South Western in 1993. During his year in office 18 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 2 Initiates and 2 affiliates with 4 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master.
2002-03. On the 5th October 2002 Brother John Smith was the first in the Lodge to be installed as RWM for a third time. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 3 Initiates and 1 affiliate with 1 Brother being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. This year saw the return of our Founding Master Bro Alex Brown’s Past Masters Apron to the Lodge which was very kindly gifted by his family for the purpose of being put on display within the Lodge. Bro John Brown, the son of Founding Master Bro Alex Brown made the gesture of presenting this wonderful gift on the occasion of the annual visitation of Thistle Lodge No. 62, some of whom knew our Founding Master due to the long association and friendship between our two Lodges.
2003-06. On the 4th October 2003 Brother William Sime was the first in the Lodge to be installed as RWM for the first of three consecutive years in a row and the only Master to carry out these duties for a fourth time in the Lodges history. Another unique moment in the Lodges history thus far, is the fact that the RWM was installed by his son Bro Peter Sime PM. These three years proved very successful for Lodge Kil Bryd in attracting new candidates into the Lodge, a total of 16 Initiates in all, with 8 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master.
2006-07. On the 7th October 2006 Brother Sid Hanna was installed as RWM. On this occasion Bro Jim Ross PM 1667, Brother Scott Henderson PM 1667 and Bro Robert Deacon PM 1557 were the Installing Masters. During his year in office 16 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 6 Initiates with 13 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. This year saw a couple of rare occurrences happen, the first being 8 brethren being advanced to the rank of Master Mason in the one night by the Lodge Instruction class and the other being that of three Past Masters sons being initiated together. On this occasion the Provincial Grand Master Designate Bro David A. Reid was present and gave the new brethren an explanation on the varying attire, sashes, aprons worn by the Brethren within the Lodge, explaining that there are different Lodges in the structure of Freemasonry with different regalia and colour schemes, he then went on to explain the practice of visiting.
2007-08. On the 6th October 2007 Brother William Stevenson was installed as RWM for the third time. During his year in office 16 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 3 Initiates with 2 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. During this year the Lodge received a plaque by a small Deputation from the Parachute Regiment Association in thanks for the Lodges continued support of this charity. The plaque was presented by Bro David Sproul of Lodge Ballater No 1432. The Lodge also received a deputation from Lodge Nisthill No 1478, headed by their RWM Bro John Brown, the son of Lodge Kil Bryd’s Founding Master Bro Alex Brown. The Lodge later presented the RWM Bro John Brown with a crystal decanter and glasses at our visitation to Lodge Nitshill later that year, in appreciation of this historic moment in Lodge Kil Bryd’s history. Further highlights from this year were Bro Robert Cameron PM receiving Honorary Provincial Grand Rank of Sword Bearer for his services to Freemasonry, the donation of PM Bro David McMinn’s (2nd Master) apron and PM jewel and the donation of £500 to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital, from raffles held at the Sportsman Dinner during the previous two years.
2008-09. On the 4th October 2008 Brother Scott Henderson was installed as RWM for a second time. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 1 Initiate and 2 Affiliates with 2 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. This year saw the Lodge visit Middlesex Masters Lodge No. 9292 (EC) to carry out a demonstration of the MM Degree. On conclusion of the visit, the Lodge was presented with a large cheque to donate to any charity of our choosing in appreciation of the visit. The Lodge later matched this very kind gesture and a donation of £400 was presented to the Kil Bryd Hospice. A further donation of £400 was also donated to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital following another very successful Sportsman’s Dinner that year. Further highlights were the celebration of 4 Brethren reaching their 50 years milestone in Freemasonry. Bro Jackie Goldie PM, Bro Bobby Sprott PM, Bro William Walker and Bro Robert Hamilton PM (aff) with the Brethren of the Lodge marking these occasions with a 50 year Jewel. The Lodge was also gifted the PM apron of Bro Matt King by his son RWM Bro Ron King of Lodge Dunedin Caritas No. 1316 and the RWM attended our Sister Lodge, Lodge Douglas’s Civic Reception to commemorate their 50th Anniversary.
2009-10. On the 3rd October 2009 Brother Andrew Fraser was installed as RWM by two well known Past Masters of the Lodge Bro John Stevenson PM and Bro William Stevenson PM. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 3 Initiates with 1 Brother being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. During this year the Lodge carried out the usual full calendar of meetings and visitation including a Bi-annual visit to Gateshead Fell Lodge No 4349 (EC) where a demonstration MM degree was carried out and were host to a very busy 5 New Town Master’s degree. This year also saw the donation of another early Past Masters Apron from the family of Founder Member and Past Master Bro Pat Roden. The 50th anniversary of the East Kilbride Royal Arch also occurred which was attended by the RWM and a number of Brethren from the Lodge.
2010-11. On the 2nd October 2010 Brother Peter Sime was installed as RWM for a second time. During his year in office 18 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 3 Initiates with 4 brethren being raised to the rank of Mark Master. During the annual visitation by PLGRE, Bro Peter was presented with the Provincial Grand Masters Charity Mallet by SPGM Bro Iain McPhee with an invite to sign the Charity Charter to record the event. This initiative saw each Master of the Province receiving this honour whilst the Charity mallet toured round all the Sister Lodges at the conclusion of which copies of the charter would be sold and the proceeds going to the PGLRE Sharing and Caring Fund. The Lodge also donated to this worthwhile cause with our Charity of choice being Combat Stress. This year also saw Bro James Smith, father of Bro John Smith PM, reach the milestone of 50 years in the craft in which he was presented with his 50 year diploma and jewel by SPGM Bro Iain McPhee on behalf of the Lodge. The Lodge’s Logo appeared on a Charity calendar for the Yorkhill Children’s Hospital having made regular contributions to this and this year was no exception with donation of £400. The also had some sporting success where they won the EK Royal Arch Bowling competition.
2011-12. On the 1st October 2011 Brother Mark Hamilton was installed as RWM. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 5 Initiates with 4 brethren being raised to the rank of Mark Master. A new friendship was cemented with Mallender Lodge No. 8835 (EC) when the Lodge was invited to carry out a demonstration MM degree at their Lodge in Glossip. The 200th anniversary of Lodge Union 244 Stonehouse allowed the RWM and several brethren the opportunity of taking part in a parade around the town and a visit to Gateshead Fell Lodge No 4349 (EC) to demonstrate the MM degree.
Another highlight in the year was the presentation made to Lodge Nitshill No 1478 by Bro John Turner which was a framed picture containing the letters of invite to five McEwan brothers in 1954 to attend their enquiry, EA and FC degrees. Two of these five brethren went on to be Founder members of Lodge Kil Bryd along with their father Robert also of Lodge Nitshill 1478 and a sixth brother, Bro Andy McEwan of Lodge Ulster No. 1486 who affiliated to Lodge Kil Bryd, and was Brother-in-law of Brother John. Confused????.............The RWM also attended Lodge Nitshill’s Dinner to commemorate their 60th Anniversary during this year.
Charitable donations and fundraisers from the brethren within the Lodge to the Master’s chosen charity contributed to a donation of £1725 to Leukemia Research.
2012-13. On the 6th October 2012 Brother James Paterson was installed as RWM. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 3 Initiates and 1 affiliate with 3 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. With no applications in the early part of the year, the Lodge took the opportunity to invite guest speakers at our regular meeting on two occasions. The first was a very well known Past Master of the Lodge Bro Robert Feelie PM who delivered a lecture on the Life and times of Robert Burns – Excise man. Bro Robert was a well-known Burns man and performed the Address to the Haggis at many of our Burns Suppers. He later presented a print of Robert Burns Depute Master to the Lodge which hangs in the Lounge for all to see.
The second was carried out by the Provincial Grand Master Bro John S. Miller titled ‘The perfect No. 7’. During this occasion the Provincial Grand Master also presented PM Bro. James Ross with a certificate confirming that he had been awarded Honorary Grand Rank of Architect for his commitment to Lodge Kil Bryd and Freemasonry in general. The Brethren of Lodge Kil Bryd also presented Bro Jim with a jewel to mark this great achievement.
This year also saw Bro David Laverty PM being presented with his 50 year diploma and Jewel from the Lodge to mark this magnificent milestone. Also, a presentation to Bro William Walker was made by the Depute Provincial Grand Master Bro Neil Fraser on behalf of the Lodge. This was in the form of an engraved crystal decanter and glasses in appreciation of his services as Office Bearer and Treasurer. Bro William was also a regular singer at our harmonies and Burns Suppers.
The RWM’s father Bro Ronnie Paterson also raised over £200 for the charity Deaf / Blind Scotland by participating in a Santa Dash. This was quite apt as Bro Ronnie is our regular Santa at the Lodge’s Children’s Christmas Party and a further donation of £850 to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital was made after a number of fund raising events. The Lodge was also recognised by the PLGRE for having the highest retention rates of candidates in the Provence and were invited to share any examples of good practice.
2013-14. On the 5th October 2013 Brother James Cameron was installed as RWM. During his year in office 16 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 4 Initiates with 4 brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. This very busy year was marked with another Past Master of the Lodge receiving Honorary Grand Rank but this time from the United Grand Lodge of England. Bro John Stevenson PM was awarded Honorary Grand Standard Bearer which was marked by the Lodge with an Apron and Jewel. The Lodge ran a successful Family Fun Day and BBQ with donations toward the purchase of a Motability scooter and to Help for Heroes made this year. The Lodge also had sporting success winning a 5 aside tournament held by Lodge Union 244 Stonehouse.
2014-15. On the 4th October 2014 Brother William McMahon was installed as RWM. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 2 Initiates and 1 affiliate with 4 brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. During this year several Brethren took part in a number of sponsored events with donations being received by Heart and Chest Scotland, MacMillan Nurses, Soldiers on the Street, Beatson Cancer Care and Yorkhill Children’s Hospital. The RWM donated a special Malt whisky in which tickets were sold at every meeting held throughout his year, raising £725 for his chosen charity Help for Heroes. During the visitation of Gateshead Fell Lodge No. 4349 (EC) where a demonstration 1st degree was performed, the deputation was enhanced by the attendance of both the Provincial Grand Master Bro John Samuel Miller and the Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master Bro David A. Reid. This was also a special meeting as the deputation was headed by Honorary Member of Lodge Kil Bryd Worshipful Brother Roy Young PM. A further point of note were the donation of Past Master Bro Jim Ross’s Apron and Jewel which is on display at the Lodge. In addition, PM Bro Bill McKay became one of the first to complete the newly formed Provincial Grand Lodge Junior Intender Program and the RWM donating an engraved Silver plate for use during any Lodge ceremonies.
2015-16. On the 3rd October 2015 Brother Andrew McMahon was installed as RWM. During his year in office 16 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 2 Initiates. The Installing Masters had a full programme ahead of them with twenty-three office bearers to install on the day. The Provincial Grand Master Bro John S. Miller was in attendance and it was reported that he had thoroughly enjoyed his day (and night) with Lodge Kil Bryd and later this year, Lodge Kil Bryd had the pleasure of making the Provincial Grand Master an Honorary Member of Lodge Kil Bryd.
This year saw the introduction of a small handbook written by Bro Bill McKay PM, outlining the duties of each of the Office Bearers which was a great help to the Brethren, especially those taking up Office for the first time.
With our 50th anniversary quickly approaching, a working party was set up to look into the arrangements for this occasion along with fund raising ideas etc.
Another full and busy year ensued including our biannual visitation to Gateshead Fell Lodge No 4349 (EC) and the usual charity fundraising with donations being given to KilBryd Hospice, Yorkhill Children’s Hospital and to East Kilbride Dementia Support.
2016-17. On the 1st October 2016 Brother David Wylie was installed as RWM. During his year in office 18 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 2 Initiates with 2 Brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master. This year saw the first “walk through” degree performed within the Lodge by the Lodge Past Masters which went down well with all in attendance. Further highlights in the year were PM Bro William McKay’s presentation and very well researched paper on the History of Freemasonry in East Kilbride since 1738 at one of our regular meetings and the hosting of the East Kilbride’s Reigning Master’s degree where an excellent FC degree on one of our candidates was carried out. The year also saw Bro. William Shannon M.M. of Lodge Kentigern No. 976 and Affiliate member of Lodge Douglas No. 1557 receive Honorary Membership of Lodge Kil Bryd 1667.
2017-18. On the 7th October 2017 Brother Ronnie Paterson was installed as RWM by his son Bro James Paterson PM and Bro Craig Monk PM. During the ceremony, a Past Master from each of the East Kilbride Lodges also contributed. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 2 Initiates and 1 Affiliate with 1 Brother being advanced to the rank of Mark Master.
Honorary Membership was received by Bro Brian Alexander Gillespie PM and Bro Robert Smith MacRae PM of Thistle Lodge No. 62 Dumfries and Bro John Shufflebottom P.M. of Lodge Scarsdale No. 681 (EC).
During the year the Lodge received two large donations from Bro David Laverty P.M. 1667 and from Bro John Shufflebottom P.M. of Lodge Scarsdale 681 E.C. for the Lodge to donate to a charity of our choosing. The money from these very kind gestures was donated to Kilbryde Hospice.
2018-19. On the 6th October 2018 Brother David Bell was installed as RWM. During his year in office 17 meetings were held and the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 4 Initiates with 4 brethren being advanced to the rank of Mark Master .
During this year a special meeting was held where a deputation from Lodge Saint Conval No.1359 headed by Bro. Stephen Blanchflower R.W.M. performed an exemplification EA degree. This had been the first visitation in many years, the two Lodges having previously carried out annual visitations when Lodge Kil Bryd met on a Thursday evening, however, this had not taken place for quite some time as both our meeting nights clashed when the Lodge changed to the first and third Friday’s of the month. The two Lodges decided to resume this by utilising the fifth week in March of this year. Our Right Worshipful Master also had the pleasure of heading the deputation of 14 reigning Masters at Lodge St Conval’s annual installation that year and being invited to reply to the visitors toast at the installation harmony.
Another milestone in the year was when we celebrated Bro Jackie Goldie PM achieving 60 years in the craft and when he received his diamond jubilee certificate at his adopted Lodge – Lodge Union 244. The Brethren of Lodge Kil Bryd also presented Bro Jackie with a special presentation bottle and glass on this occasion.
Our charitable endeavors this year included a special raffle for a gallon of Whisky, a Christmas Hamper and a Santa dash which allowed donations to The Brain Tumour Charity, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland and SNAP (Special Needs Adventure Playground).
2019-22. On the 5th October 1998 Brother Steven Hamilton was installed as RWM. During his first year in office the Lodge welcomed into the fraternity 3 Initiates. This term started on a positive note with the news that Bro Scott Henderson PM was to receive Honorary Grand Rank of Sword Bearer for his services to Freemasonry and Lodge Kil Bryd, his Certificate would later be presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East Bro Neil Fraser within the Lodge.
This initial year concluded with the world facing a catastrophic Global Pandemic -Covid19 - which resulted in The Grand Lodge of Scotland’s decision on the 17th of March 2020 to suspend all Masonic activity immediately in the UK and beyond. This was to last for over a year, however, the Lodge members were able to keep in touch with the wonders of modern technology, ZOOM meetings were held over the internet to allow the Brethren to stay in touch, all be it through a computer screen. Masonic duties resumed with our first meeting being held on the 17th of September 2021 which was not without it’s challenges. Social distancing and face masks were still in place and Lodges could not visit each other however the brethren got back to their normal duties when celebrating the milestone of Bro John Turner reaching his 50th year in Freemasonry with the presentation of a 50 year diploma and anniversary Jewel.
Bro Andrew McMahon PM 1667 along with Bro John Clarke PM 1557 got underway selling raffle tickets for the Rangers Supporters Erskine appeal. The prize was a fantastic wrought-iron Rangers Bench fabricated by our very own RWM Bro Stevie Hamilton. The efforts of these Brethren saw a sum of £2000 being donated to this worthwhile cause.
With 2022 being the Lodge's 50th Anniversary, the Brethren have been making plans for some time to celebrate the occasion and on Saturday 3rd of September a 50th Anniversary meeting will take place with the Provincial Grand Master Bro Ronald E. Fraser PM 1688 and the Office Bearers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East conducting a Rededication Ceremony. On this occasion the Brethren of Lodge Kil Bryd will wear our new Regalia for the first time. The Right Worshipful Master Bro Steven Hamilton will also be wearing his new Masters regalia and Master 's Chain, which he himself made a large donation towards.
Probably the most significant and monumental moment in the Lodge’s history was the Lodge’s decision to make a percentage contribution to the Douglas Masonic Trust, which combined with further contributions made by the East Kilbride Royal Arch and newly invited member The Cryptic Council, enabled the Douglas Masonic Trust to purchase Douglas Hall from its owners Lodge Douglas 1557.
Having enjoyed a very successful collaboration between the three Lodges under the Douglas Masonic Trust this new four-member partnership has seen the Trust be renamed to The East Kilbride Masonic Trust and the Lodge is indebted to all the Brethren, past and present, who contributed to making this magnificent achievement happen. We all look forward to many more successful years together and working with each other in the future.
Bro Mark Hamilton PM 1667