For the First Time and From the East
Brethren all, I’m not a particularly sentimental man but I can’t help being moved by the immense effort and goodwill shown in the weeks leading up to the Installation which took place on November 14th.
Since I joined the Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone in 2002 I have been astounded year after year in the way the Installation Ceremony has been prepared and conducted. As a new member of the Lodge I arrived on the evening before the Installation to help set out the dinner places and set up the hall. I expected to see a frantic bunch of men running about barking orders and getting on each other’s nerves. To my surprise the whole process was so well run it would have put the organisers of the State opening of Parliament to shame. This year was no exception. The only men who have ever shown any sign of nerves on the night before the Installation are the two men who are charged with conducting the actual Ceremony itself. The Installing Masters!
I asked Brother Archie and Brother Grant if they would conduct the Ceremony on the evening of last year’s installation. I reckoned it would be only proper to give a year’s notice for such a huge task. Until I am off the chair and God willing, safely sitting in the IPM’s billet, I will allow myself this one solitary pat on the back, that I chose the perfect Installing Masters. Well done Archie and Grant, you both have made me a very proud man. I could not have asked for more.
As with every Master before me, I find it difficult to express how grateful I am to everyone in the Lodge who contributed toward the success of the Installation evening, not only to the Brethren who mucked in on the night but to the girls who helped serve the meal and tended the bar, to the Office Bearers who all had their own individual duties and to those who were not expected to help but did so where they saw others struggling. From the bottom of my heart I sincerely thank each and every one of you.
For the forthcoming year I will make this promise. I will do everything that I possibly can to further the interests of this Lodge and uphold the proud traditions that have been forged by those who have gone before me. With your support Brethren I am sure that Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone will enjoy another happy and successful year.
Sincerely and in Harmony
Garry Forbes - RWM 242
The Annual Installation
In a ceremony, which was carried out in a most dignified and impressive manner, Brother Gary Forbes was installed in to the chair of King Solomon with absolute equanimity and a great deal of aplomb by his installing master’s – Brother’s Archibald Paterson PM and N.Grant MacLeod PM - both diligent and assiduous in their respective duties and each being expertly adept in their diverse presentations.
Brother Gary appeared to be slightly restrained by the diffidence of the occasion when entering the lodge room as RWM elect, however after the formalities of being presented with the Aims and Relationships he became somewhat relaxed in his demeanour and went on to thoroughly enjoy the remainder of his installation ceremony.
Whilst Brother Gary was out at his installing board Brother Grant Macleod PM obligated and installed the other office bearers who were present in a very relaxed but sincere manner.
After the Installation ceremony was concluded , a company of around 80 brethren sat down to a magnificent three course dinner beautifully prepared by our resident chef Bro Chris Walker after which the customary toasts were proposed by the senior office bearers of the lodge.
As a token of his appreciation for their endeavours Brother Gary presented to each of his installing masters with a small gift, a gesture which was reciprocated by Brother Archie and Grant.
Brother Conner Burke the WM of lodge
Brother Garry Walsh, a Past Master of the Wallace Masonic lodge in Belfast spoke on behalf of the visitors - in his reply to the toast “Visiting Brethren” not only did he give a brief resume of the friendship 242 enjoy with his own mother lodge but also on the “renowned” reputation 242 hold with the visiting lodges represented at the Installation - His kind sentiments were appreciated by all at 242.
Congratulations to each office bearer of the lodge for taking up their various duties in the hope that the ensuing Masonic year will be one in which we strive together to ensure that “as a lodge” - we enjoy a year of profit as well as pleasure.
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