On which day and date, a regular Meeting was held within the Masonic Hall 14 Maddiston Road Brighton’s at 1930hrs.

Present were the Right Worshipful Master Bro Alex Muir, office bearers and Brethren as per the attendance register. 68 brethren signed the tyle 39 brethren from lodge Polmont 29 visitors and apologies were received from 17 brethren and there was a total of 8 visiting lodges in attendance.

Opening

The lodge was opened in the 1^st degree. The RWM welcomed all into the lodge and to the brethren of lodge Polmont he offered his thanks for their continued support a warm welcome was extended to the visiting brethren from the sister lodges both within and out with the Province of Stirlingshire, the RWM then called on the brethren of lodge Polmont to afford the visitors a very warm welcome.

The minutes of the last regular meeting held on Wednesday the 26^th of February 2025 which having been previously disseminated via email was approved proposed by WSW Bro Ian Simpson and seconded by Bro Alan Macfarlane there was no further business arising from these minutes a copy of the minutes was available on the secretary’s desk for further scrutiny.

Correspondence

A letter was received from lodge Camelon 1456 75^th Anniversary Celebrations the lodge will be having a rededication ceremony that will take place within the premises of lodge St Andrew Denny and Loanhead No 176 on Saturday the 4^th of October tickets for the celebratory dinner afterwards is £30.00

A letter was received from lodge Ancient Stirling No 30 that they would be holding a lodge of sorrow within the masonic temple on Sunday the 30^th of March commencing at 2pm and an invitation is extended to all brethren.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire charity golf outing is on Sunday the 11^th of May at Tulliallan golf club booking in is at 8am for a tee-off commencing at 9am golf and lunch is £45 golf only is £25, and lunch only is £20 all interested parties can contact the lodge secretary for further information submissions for teams must be lodged no later than Monday the 28^th of April.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire issued a letter stating that the roll book will be postponed until after the R.W.P.G.M installation in June.

Visitations

Our WJW Bro Alan Banks reported on his recent visits to the sister lodges, on Tuesday the 4^th of March a visit to St John Midcalder No 272 and witnessed a fine 1^st degree, on Thursday the 6^th of March lodge Buchan St John No 636 and witnessed a 1^st degree, Tuesday the 11^th of March was a visit to Blackridge No 1145 to witness a 1^st degree and see RWM Bro William Veitch receive his 50-year diploma also in attendance was Bro Peter Phelp who was invited to sit in the East and on each occasion the WJW was charged to take back warm and fraternal greetings to his mother lodge at their earliest. The RWM thanked the Bro Alan Banks WJW and brethren for the various visitations and asked the assembled brethren to put their hands together and show their appreciation.

Ballot

The RWM instructed the deacons to prepare the ballot for on gentleman who wished to join the craft Mr Mcnee proposed by Bro James Mcnee and seconded by Bro Alan Campbell PM. Mr Mcnee would be a favourable candidate.

Fellow craft degree

The RWM passed the lodge to the second square or fellow craft degree then instructed the D.O.C to retire and introduce the deputation from lodge Camelon No 1456 headed on this occasion by their own RWM Bro Harry Foster who at the invitation of lodge Polmont were here to confer the fellow craft degree on one progressive candidate Bro Tam Anderson and Bro Peter Anderson piped and drummed the deputation into the lodge and after a few exchanges of welcome our RWM invited Bro Harry Foster to the East along with an past masters in the deputation our RWM then instructed the Bro deacons to uplift the collection which realised a handsome sum of £171 the RWM thanked the brethren for their generosity the RWM then tendered the gavel to RWM Bro Harry Foster in order for him to confer the degree of the evening. The deacons were instructed to retire prepare and introduce Bro Moonie the deacons retired and returned with Bro Moonie the degree was carried out with most solemn precise and dignified manner as practiced by the RWM and office bearers of lodge Camelon No 1456 and at the conclusion of the degree the RWM Bro Harry Foster along with our RWM proceeded to congratulate Bro Moonie on becoming lodge Polmont’s newest fellow craft mason at the hands of the office bearers of lodge Camelon and after a few words of welcome from both masters Bro H Foster charged the brethren ever to meet greet and treat him as such but in the meantime give him a very warm welcome among us.

Bro Moonie received a wonderous applause of welcome from the lodge the RWM then thanked the brethren in the columns for their quiet attention during the ceremony and that the brethren should once again show their appreciation to the degree team for a job well done. The RWM thanked his degree team for the evening also thanking Bro John Galloway for his musical talents RWM Bro Harry Foster then returned the gavel to our RWM.

The RWM invited Bro Derrick Robertson PM to say a few words regarding the challenge of walking to the 23 lodges within the Province of Stirlingshire he is taking to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Scotland and so far at the 12^th of March the sum raised was sitting at £6500 and climbing with various lodge submitting donations and having their own functions in aid to swell the funds the target Bro Robertson has challenged himself to raise is £10,000 and by the way things are going will be accomplished he also intimated that updates will be sent to the lodge secretaries and links to u-tube of his progress he also intimated that if and brother would like to accompany him on his sojourn around the province they would be made most welcome at the conclusion of the take the RWM thanked him for an informative talk and asked the brethren to put their hands together to show their appreciation.

 Our RWM invited the RWM Bro Harry Foster and the deputation from lodge Camelon 1456 to retire and after a few words of thanks invited the deputation to stay and accept some lodge Polmont hospitality Bro Foster accepted the invitation and asked our RWM permission to take Bro Moonie out with the deputation this was readily granted the RWM and brethren from lodge Camelon retired to the sounds of the pipes and drums from Bro Tam Anderson and Bro Peter Anderson.

To the members of Lodge Polmont our RWM he once again thanked them for their continued support and to the visitors he thanked them once more for their attendance and asked that they take warm and fraternal greetings from lodge Polmont back to their mother lodges at their earliest convenience and asked the brethren of lodge Polmont to give the visitors a hearty vote of thanks for visiting lodge Polmont and to Bro John Galloway he thanked him for his musical accompaniment.

Invitation to speak & Response

The RWM invited anyone if they had anything to say for the craft in general or for Lodge Polmont in particular that he would hear them now in reply RWM Bro Alan M Buchanan replied on behalf of the visiting brethren for the warmth and cordiality on entering the lodge something that has always come to be expected at lodge Polmont and for the excellent degree work carried out by the RWM Bro Harry Foster and his degree team from lodge Camelon 1456 and in his absence welcoming bro Moonie on becoming lodge Polmont’s fellowcraft mason at the hands of lodge Camelon 1456 finishing of by thanking bro John Galloway for his musical accompaniment  bringing warm and fraternal greetings from all the visiting sister lodges but more in particular his own mother lodge, lodge Callendar No 588.

Intimations

The RWM gave the following intimation the next regular meeting is on Wednesday the 26^th of March 2025 which will be a  third degree on Bro Hamilton to be carried out by the Past masters of lodge Polmont which will be headed on this occasion by PM Bro Billy Fulton the RWM then invited those who could to stay behind to do so for some lodge hospitality and to the brethren that could not stay that they have a safe journey home there being no further business the RWM closed the lodge in due and ancient form.

On which day and date, a regular Meeting was held within the Masonic Hall 14 Maddiston Road Brighton’s at 1930hrs.

Present were the Right Worshipful Master Bro Alex Muir, office bearers and Brethren as per the attendance register 37 brethren signed the tyle 28 brethren from lodge Polmont 9 visitors and apologies were received from 17 brethren and there was a total of 9 visiting lodges in attendance.

Opening

The lodge was opened in the 1^st degree in due and ancient form

The RWM welcomed all into the lodge and to the brethren of lodge Polmont he offered his thanks for their continued support a warm welcome was extended to the visiting brethren from the sister lodges both within and out with the Province of Stirlingshire, the RWM then extended an invitation to all qualified brethren to join him here in East to assist in the duties

A letter was read out on behalf of the RWM regarding the refurbishment of the kitchen for those who wish to make an anonymous donation towards the costs they can bank transfer any monies that they wish to donate.

Almoners Report

Bro Jim Bennie PM and Bro John Curry PM gave various reports, Bro Bill Fleming PM is doing fine but feeling a bit-tired Bro Fleming also wished to pass on his best regards to lodge Polmont and thanked all for the best wishes and recent help that he has received, Bro Bob Sharp is recovering from his recent operation he also said it’s not possible to visit the lodge but passes on his best regards to the lodge the RWM thanked both Bro Bennie and Bro Curry for taking their time to contact the brethren the RWM asked the assembled brethren to put their hands together in appreciation.

Visitations

The WJW Bro Alan Banks gave his report of the various lodges himself with various brethren had visited, Tuesday the 18^th of February Ancient Stirling No 30 to witness a 2^nd degree with a 60 and a 50-year diplomas being presented with the RWPGM receiving honorary membership, Thursday the 20^th of February lodge St John Stoneyburn No 1186 to witness a 2^nd degree accompanied by our RWM, Bro Alan Simpson PM and HM Bro Andrew Goodwin,

Saturday the 22^nd of February lodge St Andrew Denny and Loanhead No 176 for the PGL AGM in attendance was the RWM and eight brethren from lodge Polmont and  on

Tuesday the 25^th of February lodge Ladywell Tullibody No 1174with six brethren of lodge Polmont to witness a 1^st degree and the RWPGM receiving honorary membership on each occasion the brethren were charge to take back warm and fraternal greetings to their mother lodge at their earliest the RWM thanked the Bro Alan Banks WJW and brethren for the various visitations and asked the assembled brethren to put their hands together and show their appreciation.

1^st Degree lecture

The RWM adjourned the lodge and introduced Bro Kevin Thomson PM of lodge Couper ‘o’ Fife No 19, PM of lodge Dunnern Burntisland No 400 and PM of lodge Hope Kurrachee Fife lodge of research PM Thomson thanked the RWM for the introduction and thanked the brethren for the warm welcome received he then introduced the brethren to the 1^st degree giving a brief run through of the former lecture before continuing, this was very informative and raised more questions than answers from the brethren, at the conclusion of the lecture the RWM thanked PM Thomson for a very informative and interesting lecture and asked the brethren to put their hands together in appreciation to PM Thomson, the RWM then resumed the lodge in the 1^st degree the RWM then thanked the members of Lodge Polmont for their continued support and to the visitors he thanked them once again for their attendance and asked that they take warm and fraternal greetings from lodge Polmont back to their mother lodges at their earliest convenience and asked the brethren of lodge Polmont to give the visitors a hearty vote of thanks the collection was finalised and realised the sum of £115 to which the RWM thanked the brethren.

Invitation to speak

RWM then invited anyone who was sitting in the East if they had anything to say for the craft in general or for lodge Polmont in particular that he would hear them now in reply Bro Ronnie Bateman PM replied on behalf of the visiting brethren for the warmth and cordiality on entering the lodge something that has always come to be expected at lodge Polmont congratulating the RWM and Bro Kevin Thomson PM for an exceptional 1^st degree lecture finishing off by bringing warm and fraternal greetings from all the visiting sister lodges but more in particular his own mother lodge, lodge Stirling Royal Arch No 76

Intimations

The RWM gave the following intimation the next regular meeting is on Wednesday the 12^th of March which will be the fellowcraft degree for Bro Moonie conferred by the RWM Bro Harry Foster and the office bearers of lodge Camelon. There being no further business the RWM closed the lodge in due and ancient form.

On which day and date, a regular Meeting was held within the Masonic Hall 14 Maddiston Road Brighton’s at 1930hrs.

Present were the Right Worshipful Master Bro Alex Muir, office bearers and Brethren as per the attendance register 67 brethren signed the tyle 36 brethren from lodge Polmont 31 visitors and apologies were received from 14 brethren a copy of which is recorded and held on file and there was a total of 16 visiting lodges in attendance.

Opening

The lodge was opened in the 1^st degree in due and ancient form.

The RWM welcomed all into the lodge and to the brethren of lodge Polmont he offered his thanks for their continued support a warm welcome was extended to the visiting brethren from the sister lodges both within and out with the Province of Stirlingshire, the RWM then called on the brethren of lodge Polmont to afford the visitors a very warm welcome the RWM then extended an invitation to all qualified brethren to join him here in East to assist in the duties of the evening.

Deputation

The RWM warmly welcomed a large and distinguished deputation from lodge St Andrew Denny & Loanhead No 176 headed on this occasion by their RWM Bro Trevor Dean and after a few exchanges of salutations the RWM Bro Trevor Dean was invited to the East.

Petition

There was one application form received from Mr Mcnee and will sit on the secretary’s desk for the necessary period before requesting an enquiry committee meeting.

Almoners Report

Bro James Bennie reported the Bro Bill Fleming was doing well and passed on his best wishes and regards to the lodge and would like to thank Bro John Curry pm who ran him to the hospital for his treatment, the RWM also thanked Bro Curry for his invaluable assistance and Bro James Bennie PM for his report and asked the brethren to put their hands together in appreciation.

Visitations

The WJW Bro Alan Banks reported the following visitations Thursday the 23^rd of January Camelon 1456 in attendance were the RWM and 9 brethren to witness a first-degree Bro Brian Palfrayman Tyler stood in as substitute candidate

Monday the 27^th of January Stirling Royal Arch No 76 to witness a 2^nd degree carried out by the brethren of Alexanders who ware piped into the lodge by our Bro Greg Mcculloch in attendance were the RWM and 13 members of lodge Polmont

Thursday the 28^th of January the Provincial quarterly communication  held in lodge St John Tulliallan No 598 in attendance were 14 brethren from lodge Polmont

Saturday the WJW attended the installation of the RWM and office bearers of lodge Kirkliston Maitland No 482

Wednesday a visit to lodge Zetland No 391 where the RWM lead a deputation of 21 brethren in an attempt to claim the travelling gavel and at the conclusion of the ceremony RWM Bro Amrit Dhillon presented our RWM with the travelling gavel pipping lodge St Andrew Denny & Loanhead No 176 to the post.

Wednesday the 5^th of February accompanied by Bro John McKinney they attended lodge Caledonia No 392 and witnessed a 1^st degree

Thursday the 6^th of February Douglas lodge No 409 to witness a 2^nd degree with the RWM and 8 brethren from lodge Polmont

Tuesday the 11th of February lodge Craiginnan No 580 to witness a 2^nd degree worked by lodge St Servanus No 771

PM Bro James Bennie reported that he had attended Lodge St Andrew Denny and loanhead No 176 installation of master Elect Bro Trevor Deans and office bearers also attending lodge St John No 16 Falkirk to witness a 2^nd

The RWM thanked them for their respective reports and asked the brethren to put their hands together to show their appreciation.

1^st Degree

The RWM instructed the deacons to retire prepare and introduce Mr Moonie in order to confer the 1^st degree which was carried out with most solemn precise and dignified manner as practiced by the RWM and office bearers of lodge Polmont and at the conclusion of the degree the RWM was the first to congratulate Bro Moonie on becoming lodge Polmont’s newest entered apprentice and after a few works of welcome addressed the brethren charging them to ever meet greet and treat him as such but in the meantime give him a very warm welcome among us.

The RWM thanked the brethren in the columns for their quiet attention during the ceremony to Bro John Galloway he thanked him for his musical accompaniment to Bro Alan Curr IPM for stepping in as senior deacon and not forgetting the office bearers for carrying out the degree work of the evening the RWM then thanked the members of Lodge Polmont for their continued support and to the visitors he thanked them once again for their attendance and asked that they take warm and fraternal greetings from lodge Polmont back to their mother lodges at their earliest convenience and asked the brethren of lodge Polmont to give the visitors a hearty vote of thanks to Bro John Galloway he thanked him for his musical accompaniment the collection was finalised and realised the sum of £176 to which the RWM thanked the brethren.

Invitation to speak

RWM Bro Trevor Dean replied on behalf of the visiting brethren for the warmth and cordiality on entering the lodge something that has always come to be expected at lodge Polmont congratulating the RWM and his degree team for an exceptional 1^st degree and in his absence welcoming Bro Moonie on becoming lodge Polmont’s newest entered apprentice freemason and thanking bro John Galloway for his musical accompaniment bringing warm and fraternal greetings from all the visiting sister lodges but more in particular his own mother lodge, lodge St Andrew Denny and Loanhead No 176

Intimations

The RWM gave the following intimation the next regular meeting is on Wednesday the 26^th of February which will be a lecture on the first degree which will be a continuation which will be presented by Bro Kevin Thomson the RWM then invited those who could to stay behind to do so for some lodge hospitality and to the brethren that could not that they have a safe journey home there being no further business the RWM closed the lodge in due and ancient form.

On which day and date, a regular Meeting was held within the Masonic Hall 14 Maddiston Road Brighton’s at 1930hrs.

Present were the Right Worshipful Master Bro Alex Muir, office bearers and Brethren as per the attendance register. 80 brethren signed the tyle, 45 brethren from lodge Polmont, 35 visitors and apologies were received from 10 brethren a copy of which is recorded and held on file and there was a total of 12 visiting lodges in attendance.

The lodge was opened in the 1 st degree

The RWM welcomed all into the lodge and to the brethren of lodge Polmont he offered his thanks for their continued support. A warm welcome was extended to the visiting brethren from the sister lodges both within and out with the Province of Stirlingshire, the RWM then called on the brethren of lodge Polmont to afford the visitors a very warm welcome.

Correspondence

There was a letter from lodge Carron 139 inviting lodge Polmont to confer the fellow craft degree on Monday the 29^th of December 2025 this was put to the brethren and accepted by a show of hands the secretary would send an acceptance letter at the earliest.

Visitations

Our WJW Bro Alan Banks didn’t have the opportunity to give his report on his recent visits around the province but was keen to have these recorded in the minutes for future prosperity the visits are as follows.

Thursday the 9^th of January as part of a deputation of twelve brethren from lodge Polmont led on this occasion by our RWM they visited lodge Denny and Loanhead 176 to witness a 2nd degree and hopefully have the chance to take the travelling gavel back to lodge Polmont. Alas this was not the case

Tuesday the 14^th of January a visit to lodge St John Falkirk No 16 to witness a 1^st degree worked by St Patrick 1309 using the McBride ritual also in attendance were the RWM, S Alston, W Simpson, J McKinney, Honorary members John Galloway, Les Wilson, Ian McDonald, Andrew Goodwin and James Kerr.

Thursday the 16^th of January a visit to lodge Dolphin 911 who were carrying out a 1st degree. In attendance were the RWM, bro J McKinney, A Simpson PM, honorary members G Sewell RWPGM and A Montgomery PM and on each of these occasions he was charged to bring back warm and fraternal greetings to his mother lodge at his earliest opportunity.

Installation

The RWM instructed the D.O.C. Bro John Curry PM to install the remaining office bearers. Bro Ian Black and Bro Ian Penman were duly installed into their respective offices.

2nd Degree

The RWM invited the WSW Bro Ian Simpson to the East in order to confer the 2nd degree. IPM Bro Alan Curr took the WSW seat in the West. The RWM said a few words of encouragement to Bro Ian Simpson and presented the gavel in order to carry out the degree of the evening. Bro Peter Hamilton then received the 2nd degree in a most solemn precise and dignified manner as practiced by the RWM and office bearers of lodge Polmont and at the conclusion of the degree Bro Ian Simpson along with the RWM were the first to congratulate Bro Hamilton on becoming lodge Polmont’s newest fellowcraft. Bro Ian Simpson charged the brethren ever to meet greet and treat him as such but in the meantime give him a very warm welcome among us.

Bro Ian Simpson asked the RWM for permission to say a few words of thanks which was readily granted. He then went on to thank the RWM for the opportunity to carry out the fellowcraft degree thanking brethren in the columns for their quiet attention during the ceremony. To Bro John Galloway he thanked him for his musical accompaniment, to the IPM Bro Alan Curr for stepping in as senior warden and not forgetting the office bearers for carrying out the degree work of the evening. The RWM congratulated Bro Ian Simpson for a job well done and stating that the degree was carried out to the usual lodge Polmont standard the RWM then asked the brethren to show their appreciation to Bro Ian Simpson for the work of the evening he then thanked the members of Lodge Polmont for their continued support and to the visitors he thanked them once more for their attendance. To Bro John Galloway he thanked him for his musical accompaniment the collection realised the sum of £212.17 to which the RWM thanked the brethren.

Response

RWM Bro Jim Fisher replied on behalf of the visiting brethren for the warmth and cordiality on entering the lodge something that has always come to be expected at lodge Polmont congratulating WSW Bro Ian Simpson and his degree team for an exceptional fellow craft degree and in his absence welcoming bro Hamilton on becoming lodge Polmont’s newest fellow craft Freemason and thanking bro John Galloway for his musical accompaniment bringing warm and fraternal greetings from all the visiting sister lodges but more in particular his own mother lodge, lodge Stirling Royal Arch No 76.

Intimations

The RWM gave the following intimation the next regular meeting is on Wednesday the 12^th of February which will be a first degree to be carried out on Mr Moonie. There being no further business the RWM closed the lodge in due and ancient form.

On which day and date, a regular Meeting was held within the Masonic Hall 14 Maddiston Road Brighton’s at 1930hrs.

Present were the Right Worshipful Master Bro Alex Muir, office bearers and Brethren as per the attendance register 45 brethren signed the tyle 33 brethren from lodge Polmont 12 visitors and apologies were received from 20 and there was a total of 9 visiting lodges in attendance.

The RWM welcomed all into the lodge and to the brethren of lodge Polmont he offered his thanks for their continued support a warm welcome was extended to the visiting brethren from the sister lodges both within and out with the Province of Stirlingshire

Visitations

Our WJW Bro Alan Banks passed on a report which wasn’t read out in open lodge but requested that he would like it recorded in the minutes of the lodge Bro Banks on the 2^nd Sept visited lodge Ancient Stirling No 30 where he witnessed a 3rd degree. On 3^rd Sept a visit was paid to Kirkliston Maitland 482 where he witnesses a 2nd degree. Lodge Slamannan 484 on the 18^th Sept accompanied with the RWM and DM they witnessed a 1st degree on the 19^th Sept a visit to the Douglas lodge 409 where he witnessed a 3rd degree.

An application was received from one gentleman

Obituaries

It was the RWM’s sad duty to inform the brethren of the sudden passing of Bro Iain McPhait. Brother Ian E R McPhait PM passed away suddenly at home on Saturday the 26^th of Oct. Ian was Master of lodge Camelon 1456 from 2001 – 2003 and was made an honorary member of lodge Polmont on the 25^th of Oct 2006.

The RWM reflected on Iain’s character saying that Iain was cheery always smiling, joking and an ambassador to freemasonry and ever helpful towards his fellow man the RWM’s thoughts then turned to Iain’s family, the RWM then asked the brethren to be upstanding and to observe a minute’s silence for departed Merrit.

The RWM then adjourned the lodge in order to present Brother Kevin Thomson PM lodge Couper ‘o’ Fife No 19 PM of lodge Dunnern Burntisland No 400 and IPM of lodge Hope Kurrachee Fife lodge of research who was present to give a lecture on a 1st degree walk through and the tracing board and Brother Robert McAuley IPM of lodge Craiginnan Dollar 850 who was present to give a presentation and introduction to prostate cancer.

The lecturers delivered an exceptional and very informative presentations which on the conclusion of each presentation the floor was open for any questions. The RWM thanked the brethren that took the time to share their personal experience stating himself on the importance of getting yourself checked out.

The lecture and presentation having come to an end the RWM resumed the lodge in the 1st degree the RWM then instructed the deacons to uplift the collection which realised the sum of £170.17 to which the RWM thanked the assembled brethren, the raffle tickets at the harmony in the lounge raised the sum of £84 which added to the collection raising it to £254.17 it was proposed by IPM Bro Alan Curr to round up the combined collection to £300 to which the RWM seconded the proposal and the proceeds to go to prostate Scotland the RWM then thanked the brethren once again for their generosity.

PM Brother Norman Bridgeman replied on behalf of the visiting brethren for the warmth and cordiality on entering the lodge something that has always come to be expected at lodge Polmont and for the excellent lecture by Brother Kevin Thomson PM on his interpretation of a 1st degree walk through and a fantastic explanation of the 1st degree tracing board also thanking brother Robert MacAuley IPM on a very extensive and highly topical subject on prostate cancer finishing off by bringing warm and fraternal greetings from all the visiting sister lodges but more in particular his own mother lodge the lodge of Alloa No 69.

Intimations

The RWM gave the following intimations that the next regular meeting is on Wednesday the 23^rd of October which will be the nominations and elections of office bearers for 2024-2025 and a 2nd degree. The next general committee meeting would be on Monday the 14^th of October commencing at 7pm the RWM then invited those who could to stay behind to do so for some lodge hospitality and to the brethren that could not that they have a safe journey home. There being no further business the RWM closed the lodge in due and ancient form.