News of Meetings from Dec 2003 - Dec 2004

 Regular Meeting of 17 December 2003

Around 40 Brethren, two of whom were visitors attended the regular meeting on Wednesday December 17 2003. The RWM was late in arriving due to his father-in-law being seriously ill so the IPM opened the meeting and covered the majority of the business. The Degree was a First Degree conferred by the Lodge Office bearers and Past Masters on Bro Jamie Hamilton, whose father Jim was one of the PMs taking part. The degree was excellent and all who took part are to be congratulated on their good work.   

Regular Meeting of 21 January 2004

The meeting was well attended with 80 brethren and visitors in attendance. The degree was a Third conferred on two of our Fellowcrafts by a deputation of eleven brethren from Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305  headed by their RWM Bro Mark Sommerville . The degree was almost identical to our old third degree minus the Tracing Board which with two candidates made for a late finish. As is customary Bro Mark received honorary membership of 919 and the lodge was closed at five past ten. There then followed some lodge harmony which was enjoyed by both lodges and the many visitors who attended. 

Regular Meeting of 4 February 2004

This was another well attended meeting with 64 brethren signing the Attendance Book. Bro Kenneth D Kennedy RWPGM informed the Lodge that Bro Robert B Mathew PM had been appointed to the Board of Grand Stewards in Grand Lodge. Bro Robert received a round of applause for this well-deserved honour which is a just reward for his visits to other lodges and constitutions and the work he does for Freemasonry in general and this his mother lodge in particular. The degree for the evening was a second degree performed by a deputation from Lodge Livingstone St Andrew No 573 headed by their RWM Bro John Murray. The degree was excellent and Bro. Murray received a Lodge tie for his efforts as he was already an honorary member of 919. The candidate was Bro Jamie Hamilton whose father Bro Jim Hamilton PM was unable to attend due to illness. In the deputation was bro Mark Walsh of Lodge Royal Stuart No 893 in Perth Western Australia who was presented with a lodge tie and mark penny and asked to convey fraternal greetings on his return home. RWM Bro Allan Thompson announced that he was going into hospital for surgery on his back next week and he would probably miss the Burns Supper and the next meeting.  

Regular Meeting Held on 18 February 2004 

This was the first really difficult meeting of 2004 for attendance - Scotland were live (almost) against Wales on BBC2 - there was no visitation - it was the second meeting of the month, therefore no 100 Club and the weather was cold. This made the attendance of thirty six quite acceptable. There were two visitors the RWM of Lodge St Andrew 215 and the WSW of Lodge Woodhall St Johns 305. The degree was a First, ably conferred by the Lodge Office Bearers on one candidate, the grandson of Bro Willie Notman who was on the Chair in 1966-68 .Those who stayed away missed a much better performance than that produced by our international side and the brethren present showed their appreciation of an excellent first degree by their applause.

Regular Meeting Held on 3 March 2004 

Once again a well attended meeting with over sixty brethren signing the Attendance Book including a deputation of twelve from The Operative Lodge of Airdrie 203. The degree was a Third which was quite different to the degree we confer in 919. I am sure the candidate, Jamie Hamilton, whose father was still too ill to attend, was suitably impressed as were all the brethren present. The RWM of 203 received a lodge tie for his labours. 

Regular Meeting Held on 17 March 2004 

Over forty brethren signed the Attendance Book including four visitors from Lodge The Duke of Hamilton No 1636. It had been planned that Lodge St Clair 427 would send a deputation to confer the degree, but they were unable to do so as they had just returned form their annual visit to Germany today. As a result the degree was conferred by our own members. The degree was excellent and met with the approval of the brethren. At the start of the meeting a minute's silence was observed following the sudden death of Bro Alex Burt. 

Regular Meeting Held on 7 April 2004 

Another well attended meeting for the Annual Visitation of Provincial Grand Lodge which began with the RWM making the following sad announcement:-

Jim Hamilton PM 1949-2004

Brethren, it is my sad duty to announce the death of PM Bro Jim Hamilton who passed away in Wishaw General Hospital on Tuesday 23 March. As we know, Jim had been diagnosed last October with a malignant brain tumour, had received radiotherapy and other treatments and although he kept up his strength, humour and spirits, he was taken from us after being readmitted to hospital with a chest infection.

I, along with many other members of this Lodge and other Lodges, attended a service at Potts in Bellshill and then the funeral service at Daldowie Crematorium and thereafter to General Motors Club for tea and a buffet.

Both services were very well attended and the West Chapel at Daldowie was full of family, friends and brothers to pay their last respects to Jim.

Both services were conducted by Mr. Donaldson, the minister from New Stevenston Church, who gave a great account of Jim's life, spoke of Jim's love of Freemasonry and gave heartfelt thanks to all present in the famous words of the late Bro. Jim "Thanks for coming". Another touching and heartfelt tribute was conveyed through Jim's trademark songs being played at the services, albeit they were imitated and sung by Neil Diamond and were no match for the real ones sung by Jim.

Jim served as RWM of this lodge during 1992-93 and you will all know that Jim was a devoted and sincere member of Scottish Freemasonry that was portrayed through his regular attendance at meetings and visitations, as well as participating in every run through, his love of all our harmonies, the Saturday night Bingo and our regular social functions. He was also a long standing member of Committee and the general building committee.

Jim strived for perfection in our degree work and rituals and was always there to lend a helping hand, provide assistance and offer private teachings and run throughs and of course his degree ritual prompting.

I would suggest that Jim's commitment, enthusiasm and encouragement has helped us within 919 to be the strong standing Lodge we are today. The Office Bearers, all other degree workers and myself have gained experience, confidence and inspiration through Jim's teachings and of course his famous reprimands.

Jim will be sorely and sadly missed by all of us not only as a very active and dedicated Member but as a fellow Brother and Friend, however, we must endeavour to carry on through high standards and in the manner Jim would expect from us  and keep inspired through the dedication demonstrated by Jim particularly at the Installation and the commitment he gave us to the end.

I would take this opportunity on behalf of Mina, Jim's family and this Lodge to thank those of you here tonight who attended the service and the funeral, not only representing this Lodge of course but as friends and acquaintances. I'm sure I speak for everyone assembled here, that it is a privilege and a great honour to have known, laboured and been a social friend of such a good and noble man as Past Master Jim Hamilton.

Perhaps during our mark of respect we could take a moment or two to reflect on Jim's compassion, friendship and his dedicated labour of love for his Mother Lodge and fellow Brothers.

After this eulogy a minute's silence was observed as a Mark of respect. The deputation from PGL was then admitted and the Lodge received a favourable report as a result of the Book inspection in February. There followed an excellent First degree by the Lodge Office Bearers which was appreciated by the Provincial deputation who commented that they were delighted to see such a young group of Office bearers conferring the Degree.  

Regular Meeting of April 21 2004 

Although this meeting was fairly well attended it was not the best meeting this year. The only bright spot in the proceedings was when the Secretary announced a Friendship Bowling Trophy being held by another Lodge. He said the two  things were incompatible as Friendship went out the window when a Bowling tie started. The degree was a Second conferred by Lodge Motherwell Caledonian No 1228, who brought a deputation of 10. The degree was like the curate's egg, good in parts but not in others though the candidate was well rehearsed. Honourary membership was conferred on the visiting RWM and we retired to the lounge for a pie and some refreshment. 

Regular Meeting of May 5 2004 

This meeting was not that well attended but there was competition from football on Sky and the start of the bowling season. The attendance was boosted by the RWM and four PMs from Lodge Montgomerie Kilwinning No 624 which meets in Skelmorlie on the Second Wednesday of the month Sept to April. They were at the meeting to return the many visits paid to their Lodge by Bro. Tommy Allardyce whose brother lives in Skelmorlie. They enjoyed a Third Degree conferred by the Lodge Office Bearers to our normal high standard. Another occasion when a well prepared candidate received an excellent degree to everyone's satisfaction. We then adjourned to the Lounge for the Hundred club draw and a few wee halfs.

Regular Meeting of May 19 2004 

There were fifty brethren in attendance at this meeting thanks to a number of visitors from 128, 203, 236 and 305. This was our second successive third degree by the Lodge Office Bearers due to call offs by other lodges. As a result, the degree work was not nearly as high a standard as the previous Third even though it was virtually the same degree team. We even had ordered and heated some pies in the belief that a deputation was due. They were all eaten and everyone enjoyed a few drinks to wash them down and some friendly chat.  

Regular Meeting of June 2 2004 

63 Brethren signed the Attendance Book for this first meeting of our summer season when most other lodges in the area are in recess. This number included a deputation of 15 from Lodge Shettleston St John, and other visitors from Lodge numbers 440, 499, 590, 1186, 1198, 1228 and 1499. 

The meeting started with the RWM announcing the death of Harry McCready who passed away on Friday 28 May 2004 in Cleland Hospital. Harry was 69 years old and had been ill for a long time. He joined the lodge in 1981 and served in minor office in the early 1980s until firstly he needed a replacement hip due to arthritis then when he developed Parkinson's disease. His funeral is on Thursday 3 June at 2:15 in St Marks Church Coltness then 3:15 at Daldowie Crematorium. He is survived by his wife Morag, two sons and a daughter and their families. 

A minute's silence was observed. The degree for the evening was a Second or Fellow craft degree conferred by the deputation from Lodge Shettleston St John No 128. It was an excellent degree well appreciated by all those present and their RWM received a 919 Mark Penny for his and his office bearers' efforts. After the meeting was closed there followed a most enjoyable harmony.

Regular Meeting of July 7 2004 

About 60 Brethren signed the Attendance Book for our annual mark degree and our second meeting of our summer season when most other lodges in the area are in recess. This number again included a number of visitors and a few brethren who had not been in the lodge for a few years.

 The degree for the evening was the Mark degree conferred by a team of Past Masters and the office bearers on four candidates.. It was an excellent degree well appreciated by all those present and the candidates each received their Mark Penny for their efforts. It was good to see a couple of Past Masters taking part for the first time in a few years and the high standard they achieved shows the talent we have among our PMs. After the meeting was closed there followed a most enjoyable harmony.

Regular Meeting of August 4 2004 

About 50 Brethren signed the Attendance Book for the third and last meeting of our summer season when most other lodges in the area are in recess. The attendance would have been poor had it not been for the large number of visitors present..

 The degree for the evening was a Third degree conferred by a team of Past Masters and the office bearers. It was a good degree well appreciated by all those present and by the candidate. After the meeting was closed there followed a most enjoyable harmony.

Regular Meeting of September 1 2004 

This was the first opportunity for the brethren to see the new ceiling in the Lodge Room. The old one was replaced by an enthusiastic band of office bearers and brethren, ably led by our R.W.M who were thanked by the brethren for the wonderful job they had done.

The attendance was disappointing with around 40 brethren present including only one visitor the WSW of Lodge  St Andrew Military 668. Holidays, the close of the Bowling season and other lodges resuming after their summer recess, obviously impacted the attendance.

The degree was a First degree which was not of the high standard the lodge aspires to achieve. With a number of the brethren involved in the degree also playing their part in the replacing of the ceiling, it proved impossible to have a run through so hopefully this is a temporary drop in standard and the candidate will get a much better second degree.

Regular Meeting of September 15 2004 

The attendance at this meeting was much better with 8 visiting Brethren and a deputation of 10 brethren from Lodge St John 187 to add to the forty or so members of 919. This was quite encouraging as the list of apologies from brethren who were on holiday or working or otherwise engaged was quite long.

The degree was a third which was well delivered by the RWM and brethren of Lodge St John 187. At the end of the Degree the candidate was presented with a 919 Dress Apron by his brother-in-law. An unusual end to an excellent meeting.

Regular Meeting of October 6 2004 

52 brethren attended our First Regular Meeting in October with the number boosted by a number of visitors and friends of the family of the candidate. The degree was a First degree by the Lodge Office Bearers on one of the youngest candidates in the history of the lodge - he celebrated his eighteenth birthday in September. It was an excellent degree and you certainly could hear the proverbial pin drop during its working. Unusually these days, there were three generations of the candidates family present - the candidate himself, his father and his grandfather. At the end of the meeting the lodge was given a report on the recent Bowling Match with Lodge Cadder Freestone.

After the meeting, the candidate's father bought every brother present a drink to celebrate his son's initiation and the brethren returned home after a most enjoyable evening.

Regular Meeting of October 20 2004 

In the absence of the RWM who was on holiday, the IPM presided over a well attended meeting. His first unfortunate duty was to advise the lodge of the deaths of three members, Bro Robert Cunningham PM, Bro Charlie McGhee and Bro Jim Lafferty and one minute's silence was observed in their memory.

Bro Cunningham was 84 having joined the Lodge in 1949 and served as RWM in 1957 -58. He was a quiet man who always sat in the North East of the lodge rather than the East. He had been ill for a few years before his death at home.

Bro McGhee was 73 and joined the Lodge in 1969. Over the years he took several minor posts in the lodge and served on Committee.

Bro Lafferty was 72 and joined the lodge in 1955 .

The degree for the evening was a second degree which was well performed by the IPM and the office bearers. Due to the absence of the RWM there were no sandwiches or cakes so the brethren went home hungry.

Annual General Meeting of November 3 2004 

The AGM was well attended with over forty brethren present. The lodge was greeted with the extremely good news that Bro Kenneth D. Kennedy RWPGM of Lanarkshire Middle Ward and a PM of 919 has been appointed to the office of Grand Marshall in the Grand Lodge of Scotland and will be installed at the Festival of St Andrew at the end of the month. We congratulate the RWPGM on his new appointment. The AGM itself progressed smoothly with the Treasurer presenting a very healthy Balance Sheet which reflects the improvement in the lodge's fortunes in the last few years. The Election of Office-Bearers went smoothly with competition for some offices and all new Office-Bearers and Committee Members happy with their new positions. The list of Office-Bearers elect has been appended to the List of Office-Bearers.

A letter was received by the Lodge relating to the Report of the meeting of 20 October and as we in 919 are not afraid of criticism the letter is reproduced here. The RWM has returned from his holidays but his kitchen staff still seem to be away as there were again no sandwiches or cakes and again the Brethren went home hungry.

Regular Meeting of November 17 2004 

A well attended meeting with around sixty Brethren present including the deputation of seventeen brethren from 1096. 

The death of Bro Neil Campbell was announced and a minute's silence was observed. Bro Neil was 84 and joined the Lodge in 1946. Although he had not attended the Lodge for some time, he was a great servant to Wrangholm Church.

The RWM announced that Bro Tommy Allardyce had been made an honorary member of Lodge Montgomerie Kilwinning No 624 in Skelmorlie at their Regular Meeting on 10 November 2004. He also congratulated Bro Kenneth D Kennedy on his election to the office of Grand Marshall in The Grand Lodge of Scotland. Both Announcements were greeted with loud applause..

The degree for the evening was a Second ably conferred by the RWM and office bearers of Lodge Murdostoun Castle No 1096. The RWM received honorary membership of 919, the Lodge was closed and an enjoyable harmony followed.  

Regular Meeting of December 1 2004 

As this was a Business only meeting the attendance was quite low with 32 Brethren present, none of whom were visitors. There were several reports  about a visit to Stanmore House, one of our charities, by the RWM and others; the Festival of St Andrew, attended by the Wardens; a visit to Lodge St James Tarbolton organised by Bro J Johnstone PM and a couple of Installations. It was proposed and agreed that the collection in aid of Grand Lodge benevolence which will be taken on the night of the Installation will be doubled by the Lodge.

The R.W.M. then made his retiring speech in which he thanked all the brethren who had helped make his year in the chair an enjoyable one. He stressed that every member of the Lodge had played his part in what was a harmonious and successful year for the lodge in his own inimitable manner and the Brethren responded with loud applause.

The lodge was then closed and we had an extended harmony due to the early finish and enjoyed the last drawing of the Hundred Club when, as is the usual custom at Christmas, all the income for December was distributed as prizes.