Regular Meeting of 17 January 2007

44 Brethren, including a visitor from Lodge St Andrews Military No 668, attended the first regular meeting of 2007 on Wednesday January 17 2007. The RWM was away on business so the IPM presided over the meeting. His first sad duty was to report the following deaths.

Bro Alan Smith who joined the lodge in 1977 died at the age of 58. He was WSW of the lodge in 1985 but was unable to proceed to the chair of the lodge. Bro Wilfrid ( Chad) Chaddick also passed away at the age of 78. He joined the lodge in 1976 and was not lately a regular attender. The death of the mother of Bro Eric Carswell, who was over 100 years old, was also reported. A minute's silence was then observed as a token of respect for  our departed brethren.

 The Degree was a First Degree conferred by the Lodge Office bearers and younger brethren and was unusual these days in that no PM took part in the degree.  The degree was excellent and all who took part are to be congratulated on their good work.   

 Regular Meeting of 7 February 2007

The first meeting in February saw 52  in attendance on a bitterly cold night. Included in this number were a deputation of eight brethren from Lodge Livingstone St Andrew  No 573 headed by their RWM, four brethren from Lodge Bothwell Brig No 1229 including their RWM and a PM from Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305. The degree for the evening was a second degree ably conferred by the RWM of 573 and his degree team who certainly had quality if not quantity in their deputation. The RWM of 573 received honorary membership for his efforts and at the close of the meeting we adjourned to the lounge to enjoy a pie and some refreshment.

 Regular Meeting of 21 February 2007

For some reason there was quite a poor attendance of 43 brethren at this meeting. This included a deputation of 13 from Lodge Wilsontown Ironworks St John's No 236 headed by their RWM and a visitor from Lodge Robert Burns No 440. 

The deaths were announced of Bro George Baillie (aged 59 years) who joined the lodge in 1983 but had rarely attended and Bro Alec Sim a PM of Lodge St John Dalzell No 406 and an honorary member of 919. A minute's silence was observed as a token of respect.

The degree for the evening was a third conferred in an excellent manner by the RWM and his degree team from Lodge Wilsontown Ironworks St John's No 236. This was certainly one of the best degrees we have seen in 919 for a wee while and was greatly appreciated by the candidate and the brethren. Those who chose not to attend this meeting missed a real masonic treat. For his efforts the RWM of 236 received a lodge tie and we adjourned to the lounge for a welcome pie and some refreshment,

Regular Meeting of 7 March 2007

The first meeting in March is our Annual Provincial Visitation and attracted an attendance of 51 which included seven brethren from PGL, two PMs from Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305, and one brother from each of Lodge New Monkland Montrose No 88, Lodge St Andrew No 544 and Lodge St Andrew Military No 668. 

After Provincial gave the lodge a clean bill of health and confirmed we were working according to GL Laws, the degree for the evening was a first, ably conferred by the lodge office bearers though with too many prompts for some. Provincial commented favourably on the degree work and we all adjourned happily to enjoy a more refined snack than the usual pie and pint.

Regular Meeting of 21 March 2007

The second meeting in March attracted an attendance of 56 which included a deputation of 17 brethren from Lodge St John Carluke No 187, the RWM of Lodge Caldercruix St John No 1314, and one brother from each of the Operative Lodge of Airdrie No 203, Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305, Lodge St Andrew Military No 668 and Lodge Whifflet St John No 963. 

The following deaths were announced :- Bro Edward Lafferty who was 85 and joined the lodge in 1956; Bro Billy McPheat who was only 49 and joined the lodge in 1976 on the same night as his father affiliated to 919 and the wife of Bro Robert Condie. A minute's silence was observed as a token of respect.

The degree for the evening was a second ably conferred by the RWM and brethren of Lodge St John Carluke No 187 on an attentive candidate. We have been very fortunate this year in that each degree has been better than the previous one. After this thoroughly enjoyable degree we adjourned to the lounge for some refreshment.

 Regular Meeting of 4 April 2007

The first meeting in April attracted a very poor attendance of thirty including three visitors - the RWM and a PM from Lodge Wilsontown Ironworks St John's No 236 and a PM from Lodge Concord No 1341. The reason may have been that there was no degree and instead we had a lecture on the life of Robert King Stewart .

The RWM announced the death of Bro Bill Hayman who was a PM of Lodge Woodhall St Johns No 305 and an honorary member of 919. A minute's silence was observed as a token of respect.

There was no degree but instead a lecture by our Almoner on the life of Robert King Stewart after whom the lodge takes its name. He traced his ancestry and his masonic times before detailing the many achievements of the man and the numerous high offices he held in public life. He was truly a man of influence and we in 919 are honoured and delighted to share his name. This was an excellent lecture and deserved a much better attendance than was present and as usual with a lecture it showed how many questions there are still to be answered. The Almoner received a well deserved round of applause for his efforts. We adjourned to the lounge for our pie and a pint with a more varied choice than usual - pies, sausage rolls, bridies and an assortment of cakes and scones. A very enjoyable evening.  

Regular Meeting of 18 April 2007

The second meeting in April again attracted a poor attendance of thirty eight including only one visitor - a PM from Lodge Union Stonehouse No 244. The reason for the poor attendance is difficult to fathom as all the brethren who traveled to Lodge Caldercruix St John No 1314 the previous evening were present.

The RWM announced the death of the wife of Bro Bobby Scott PM.

The degree for the evening was a third ably carried out by the Lodge PMs and office bearers. It was a better degree than the previous evening with all those participating giving an excellent performance on an enthusiastic and keenly interested candidate. We then adjourned to the lounge for some light refreshment.