Lodge St.James Newton-Upon-Ayr No.125

Gallery

On Monday 22nd of February R.W. Master, Br. Jack Heathcote welcomed a large number of Brethren and visitors into the Lodge. After the business, D.Of Ceremonies, Br. Jim Mcallum P.M. presented one of Ayrshire's best known and most respected Freemasons, in the name of Br.Andy McCartney P.Master of Fergusson St. James 566, H.Prov. Grand Standardbearer,to the R.W.Master who proceeded to confer on him honorary membership of 125. Andy has been a staunch supporter of 125 for many years, having spoken at the Installation festive board on numerous occasions and is a well kent face at the Lodge meetings and in the social club. Honorary membership of 125 is rarely given and was well deserved. There are only two other honorary members of 125, Br.The Reverend Ian Uist Macdonald, Prov. Grand Chaplain, Past Senior Grand Chaplain, and Br.Ian Taylor P.Master, Both of Tarbolton 135.

It was particularly gratifying to see the R.W.Master of St. Johns Maybole,No. 11, ( Andy's Mother Lodge), Br. W. Cuthbert and a large number of his Brethren,together with R.W.Master Br. Colin Brotherton and a large number of Members of 566 Dailly, there to give Andy their support.

Also present were the R.W.Master Br.A. Patrick of Prestwick 1060 and R.W.Master Andrew Main of Ayr St. Paul 204 together with a number of their Brethren.
The evening was concluded with an excellent F.Craft degree by W.Junior Warden Br. Stuart Howie and his team. Thereafter the brethren retired to the hall for some harmony.

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At the regular meeting on Monday 26th of October, a deputation of ten Irish Brethren from the Province of North Munster paid a visit to Lodge St. James. The deputation was headed by Br. S. Holmes, W. Master of Lodge Ormonde 201 and included R. Worshipful Br. G. Aston, Past P.G.Master and R. Worshipful Br. C. Foster, Past Depute P.G.Master of North Munster. The deputation was warmly welcomed into the Lodge by R.W.Master Br. Chic McEwan and the assembled Brethren. Thereafter, an enjoyable F.C. degree was worked by W.S.Warden Jack Heathcote and his team.The Brethren then spent a pleasant hour or two in harmony down in the main hall.
An excellent evening.

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The Gangrel Bodies - Jolly Beggars entertain The Social Club

On Friday evening, 9th. October. The Gangrel Bodies put on a tremendous programme of song and poetry. A selection of songs by Robert Burns and other Scottish favourites, was interspersed by recitations of some of Burns's best loved poetry culminating in the cantata,'The Jolly Beggars'.
The event was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

Thanks go to Bro. Sam Wales for arranging a truly special evenings entertainment!

On Monday 28th of September, R.W.Master Br. Chic McEwan and the assembled Brethren welcomed a large deputation from Lodge Coila St. Andrew 1334 led by R.W. Master Br. James Smillie . The Brethren of 1334 then conferred the M.M.M.degree in an excellent manner and to the entire satisfaction of all present. There after, the Brethren retired to the hall and spent an hour or two in harmony . A most enjoyable evening.
Thanks are due to Br. Stewart Cruikshanks, P.M. 204 for taking photographs of the occasion.

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Recent visitors to 125, was a deputation from Lodge Fergusson St. James Dailly 566. Due to the work commitments of R. W. Master John ('Mash') Wason, the deputation was lead by his brother Past Master Br.Tom ('Teh') Wason. Swelling the deputation, Was R.W.Master Br. Neville Clark of Lodge Stinchar Valley 1705, R.W.Master Br. Robert Laird of Lodge St. John Girvan 237 and a number of Brethren from 237 and 433.

Past Master Wason and the officebearers of 566 advanced Br. Garry Kennedy in an exemplary working of the M.M.M. degree. There after all retired to the hall for a pleasant hour or so in harmony.

Social Club Soutar Johnnie Night

The Social Club paid tribute to Robert Burns on Friday the 22nd by holding a 'Soutar Johnnie Night'. The Members and guests enjoyed a superb evening of music, song and recitation. The renowned Ian Muir had feet tapping with his masterly playing of the accordion. The very lovely Sarah Conn delighted the company with her expertise on the fiddle and her beautiful singing voice. Hugh McNeillie, sang superbly from his extensive repertoire of Scottish songs before changing into period dress and giving his famous monologue as the 'Ayrshire Ploughman'. A generous helping of 'Haggis, Neeps an Tatties', piped in by Graeme Dunn and suitably addressed by Jack Heathcote, was provided by Stewart Howie and his henchmen. Thanks must go to Campbell Shaw for his organisation.

A tremendous evening, enjoyed by all.

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On Monday 13th of April, the Provincial Grand Master Br. Archibald Chalmers, accompanied by six P.G.Lodge officebearers, paid a visit to 125. The deputation was warmly welcomed by the R.W. Master and the assembled Brethren.
The R.W.Master then welcomed a large deputation from our good friends Lodge Prestwick 1060, headed by the R.W.Master Br. Robert McLauchlan, who initiated Garry Kennedy into Freemasonry in an exemplary manner. After the business of the evening, R.W.Master Robert McLauchlan presented R.W.Master Chic McEwan with a certificate commemorating Lodge Prestwick's visit to 125 in this, 1060's centenary year.
There after, the Brethren retired to the hall where they spent some time in harmony.

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On Monday the 9th of March, Lodge St.James received a large deputation from Lodge Troon Navigation No 86, lead By R.W.M. Bro.Jim Gourlay, who conferred the M.M. degree.

Also present was R.W.Master Bro. Duncan Fenwick of 135.
A most enjoyable evening.