The Lodge of Stonehaven 65

On the evening of Friday 14th March the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kincardineshire was happy to present the Stonehaven branch of the RNLI with a cheque of £4500 from funds raised at the previous Masonic ball of 2024. The RNLI have a long history of operating out of seaside towns like Stonehaven and are a very worthy cause to support.

To find out more about the RNLI in general you can visit their website here.

From R.W.P.G.M.
It is the time of year again, when the monies raised by Kincardineshire Freemasons at the annual charity ball and other events, is distributed to local groups. Today I had the honour and pleasure of visiting 3 of the groups.

First I visited The Larder in Portlethen and met Leigh to present a cheque for £1000 to be used to support local families in need, I was accompanied by Bro Jim Martin, RWM of The Lodge Of Portlethen 1805, who presented the group with a cheque for a further £250.

Second I visited the Far and Wide foodbank in Stonehaven and met Barbara to present a cheque for £1000 which will be used to restock their shelves and freezer after a particularly busy period. I was accompanied by Pm Martin Irvine of the Lodge Of Stonehaven 65 who is Provincial Grand Treasurer.

Third I visited the Johnshaven Community Cafe in Johnshaven where I met Maria and James and presented a further cheque for £1000. The group provide hot food and hot drinks to locals in need of support. I was accompanied by Bro Martin Irvine and Bro Rob Collins, RWM of Lodge St John 119 and rivincial Grand Chaplain

Graham McKay
Provincial Grand Master of Kincardineshire

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On Saturday 27th April a charity race night was held at the 65 club to help raise money for the local charities which have been nominated to receive money from the annual charity ball. A huge thanks to those involved with a special mention to Allan Malcolm and Jim Thomson for organising the event as well as Damien Lincoln and John Lawson for running the bar. The event was well attended and raised around £1000 which was gratefully received. 

This evening, after the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kincardineshire had opened and adjourned, PGM Bro. Graham Mckay welcomed the Reverend Mary Jepp of St James’ Church, Stonehaven into the Lodge Room. The Rev. Mary was accompanied by the PG Chaplain and Brethren’s wives and all took their places within the Lodge.

After a warm welcome, Rev. Mary then spoke of the importance of coming together in Brotherhood and Unity to help others, and how Freemasonry has much to offer as an example of good citizenship within our communities.

After the Service, the PG Chaplain accompanied the Rev. Mary and the Brethren’s wives from the Lodge so that PGL could be resumed and closed in Due and Ancient Form.

Afterwards at the ’65 Club’, the Brethren, their wives and guests came together for a wonderful Harmony. The PGM Bro Graham Makay presented Rev. Mary with the collection of the evening which amounted to £200, which she said would be ‘ringfenced’ to help those in need in the local community.

A wonderful Divine Service that was very well attended, and an inspiring talk about the importance of some the basics of our Craft.

This afternoon Brethren from across the Lodges of the Province came together at St James’ Church, Stonehaven to clear away an overgrown piece of ground in preparation for it becoming an allotment. This allotment will be cultivated with soft fruits and vegetables, as well as being a place for quiet contemplation.

The allotment will be managed on a daily basis by Stonehaven’s own ‘Inspire Group’, a community group of young, vulnerable adults from Stonehaven and the surrounding area. We are delighted to have been asked to help and assist with this wonderful Project, and we wish the enthusiastic members of the Inspire Group every future success with their allotment.

A day trip to Rosslyn Chapel was taken on 13th May 2023, for many of our members this was a first time experience whilst others had visited before. The Masonic tour led by Bro. Ian Robertson was very interesting. Thanks to Bro. Rob Collins for organising the event.

The Provincial Grand Master and Office Bearers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kincardineshire presented £3000 each to Cycling Without Age Stonehaven and Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network.  Both charities were extremely grateful for the support.

Thank you to all who made this possible.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Kincardineshire organised a tree planting on behalf of all Freemasons within Kincardinshire, the tree itself being dedicated to the life of our late Queen Elizabeth II and her Platinum Jubilee.

The tree was planted in Stonehaven’s Mineralwell Park with the same spade that was used over a century ago in 1919 to plant the Peace Tree that also resides in Stonehaven.

On Saturday 25th June a group of intrepid Freemasons from Kincardineshire scaled the towering heights of Ben Nevis 4,413 ft (1,345m) to help raise much needed funds for the two Provincial Charities of Kincardineshire this year: ‘Cycling Without Age’, and ‘Mearns Coastal Healthy Living Network’. It was hard work with some challenging weather, but with encouragement and great teamwork we made it to the top! A big thank you who have donated and supported us and these amazing charities, also a big thanks to U Learn in Arbroath for donating a minibus for the weekend to take us over and back for the walk in comfort and style.

Starting Point in Car Park

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All of us at the bottom of the mountain, getting a group photo in.

The Lodge of Stonehaven 65 have taken the trophy this year for the annual Masonic Darts & Dominoes Night which was hosted in Laurencekirk at St. Laurence 136.

Competing Lodges were:

Fraternal Greetings were exchanged and a heartfelt thanks to St. Laurence 136 for being fantastic hosts.