January Statutory Communication
The Statutory Communication of Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Saturday 27 January 2024, Brother Bill Rocks Provincial Grand Master presiding, within Baldridgeburn Community Centre, Dunfermline under the auspices of Lodge Canmore No.1175.
On this occasion the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master welcomed into Provincial Grand Lodge a very fine deputation of Brethren from Sister Provincial Grand Lodges as well as representatives from the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Fife and Kinross and Forth and Tay Valleys Division of the Grand Imperial Council of Scotland.
The Deputations were headed on this occasion by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders Brother Andrew Forsyth. The Deputation from the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Fife and Kinross was headed by Grand Superintendent Most Excellent Companion Gordon Hynd. and Intendant General for Forth and Tay Valleys Division of the Grand Imperial Council of Scotland Very Illustrious Knight George Johnstone.
The communication started off with a memorial service to departed merit, which was held with due respect of those who have passed on to the Grand Lodge above.
This was the occasion of the Annual Election and Installation of Elected Office-Bearers of Provincial Grand Lodge and the duly elected Brethren were Installed into their various offices by the Depute Provincial Grand Master Brother Lawrence Cooper.
Substitute Provincial Grand Master Brother Colin Davie, then went on to welcome the members of Provincial Grand Stewards and Committee wishing everyone a very happy term in office.
The newly Past Senior Provincial Grand Warden Brother William Somerville was then presented to the Provincial Grand Master who invested him with his breast jewel of a Past Senior Provincial Grand Warden thanking him for his commitment to Provincial Grand Lodge over many years. Past Senior Provincial Grand Warden Brother William Somerville then gave a very suitable reply.
Four Brethren within the Province who had been awarded Honorary Grand Rank by the Grand Master Mason were presented to Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bill Rocks who congratulated them and invested them with their neck collars and jewels and presented them with diplomas from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Each of the Brethren presented gave a suitable reply. Those Brethren awarded were:
Brother George Inglis MM of Elgin's Lodge at Leven No.91, awarded Honorary Grand Jeweller.
Brother Eck Cuthbert Past Master of Lodge Torrie No.1141. Honorary Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Brother Ian Lawson Past Master of Lodge The Oswald of Dunnikier No.468, Honorary Grand Treasurer.
Brother Lawrence Cooper Past Master of Lodge Balfour Melville No.809. Honorary Grand Senior Deacon.
Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the The Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders, Grand Superintendent, and Intendant General addressed the Provincial Grand Lodge before the deputations retired.
