The Lodge of Stonehaven 65

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.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Kincardineshire have recently donated to the following causes:

CWAS Donation

This donation will be used towards the ongoing maintenance of the Trishaw’s -Rosie and Jim and additional windproof/ waterproof blankets. You can read more about CWAS here and a link to their Stonehaven chapter’s facebook.

Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network

Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network is a charity established in 2002 to support the wellbeing of older people living in Kincardine & Mearns. You can read more about their work on their website.

The following has been sourced from The Grand Lodge of Scotland’s website.

TO ALL PROVINCIAL, DISTRICT AND LODGE SECRETARIES

Brethren

Further to my email to you all yesterday, can I give you an update on all developments that have taken place today.

I have advised all Committee Chairmen to cancel all committee meetings but that they should maintain contact with the committees through email in order that any urgent business can be conducted.

Grand Lodge will be closed to all except staff. At a Staff Meeting this morning all members of staff agreed to carry on working so that you will still have points of contact. Every possible precaution has been taken to ensure their health and wellbeing in Grand Lodge and we will continue to look after their welfare, but they will be there for you if you need to contact them. But please be aware no one will be allowed to enter the building under any circumstances except the staff.

The contractors working on the new lift will be in the building but will be kept away from the Grand Lodge staff.

Can I re-emphasise that I have suspended all Masonic activity until further notice. I have intentionally not given a specific time frame so that we can resume activities as soon as it is felt safe to do so.

All Lodges who are due to celebrate milestones in their history this year and all Provinces and Districts who are due to have Installations this year should not abandon their plans. Grand Lodge will honour all commitments once it is safe to do – this may well mean carrying out three or four celebrations on the one day, but they will be done.

My sincere thanks to you all for your forbearance. I will ensure that you are all kept up to date with any fresh developments.

Stay safe and look after each other, especially the elderly, the lonely and the vulnerable. Give them a wee phone call every day or drop them an email.  Many thanks

Yours sincerely and fraternally

W Ramsay McGhee

Grand Master Mason

The Peace Tree located in Stonehaven was runner up for the ‘Scotland’s Tree Of The Year’ award with Glen Affric’s Last Ent of Affric tree winning.

Read more at the Woodland Trust.