Lodge Earl Haig No.1260

Wednesday 25th April 2018

"This evening  at Lodge Earl Haig I had the greatest honour to present a 60 year Jubilee certificate to a Brother who has known me all my life. This duty would have fell to his life long friend, my dad, who was his best man in the same year that he was initiated.

The following words were the script that my Dad gave me knowing at the last minute he would not be able to attend the Lodge this evening!

“Peter had his 90th birthday on 21st September last year.

Initiated - 19th October, 1956 - age 29 - Fitter's Mate. The Lodge met in The Lesser Shepherds Hall, Windygates

Passed - 7th November, 1956

Raised - 24th November, 1956

Mark - 18th May, 1957

Peter worked most of his working life at "The Stell" Cameron Bridge Distillery.

A lot happened to Peter when he was 29, I had the honour of being his proposer into Freemasonry and being his Best man at his wedding to Ruby in Springburn, Glasgow.

We had a bus load of guests making the journey on that momentous occasion. They enjoyed married life together, their first home being in Rabbit Row, Windygates and of course his family of Stuart, Rhona, Keith and Alan eventually came along in quick succession. Alas, regrettably he had the sad misfortune of losing Ruby and he has to be greatly admired at bringing up, single handedly his children and seeing them on their way.

Peter was Master of the Lodge for two years 1963-65 and proved to be an excellent ritualist. On few occassions he had to leave the Lodge early about 9pm if he was on Night shift. Our meetings took place in our own Masonic Temple, Station Road, Windygates We enjoyed many happy days then, quite different from our modern day format.

We enjoyed many social occasions such as Annual Assembly, Popular monthly whist and dominoes drives attended by many locals, Treasure Hunts to many far flung parts of Fife (usually organised by our Secretary, Thomson Inglis), Annual Burns Supper etc and of course our Harmonies always after a Saturday night meeting (Installations or visiting Deputations to work a degree).

There was usually some entertainment between toasts and Peter and myself would attempt to do a duet "Mr Sandman bring me a Dream". PM Stuart Ritchie from Randolph would always do "Pennies from Heaven". We visited Lodge St. John 35 from time to time and their harmonies were outstanding

Peter was a good footballer and played to quite a high standard when he was in the Army for a period. We did for a while play together. He is a long standing member of Leven Thistle Golf Club, is he still playing ?

I have so many other stories I could tell but I am sure Gordon you can put together a fine tribute.

Please pass on my sincere congratulations to Peter on getting his Jubilee Certificate, sorry I can't be there but be assured I will raise a glass tonight and hopefully share one with him in the not too distant future.

Dad!”

Peter responded in his own manner by stating he did not feel worthy of this accolade and in true Masonic fashion then paid tribute to Bro Thomson Inglis and Bro Bill Michie.

What a great night for Freemasonry and for Earl Haig in particular."

Photographs and write up provided by Bro. Gordon Michie PM Lodge Earl Haig No.1260, Past Substitute Provincial Grand Master Fife and Kinross.

Peter McFarlane P.M.
Left to Right
Bro. John Heron R.W.M
Bro. Peter McFarlane P.M
Bro. Gordon Michie P.M

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