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Sunday 2nd June Bro Robert Rolf Grundmann PAGM (Past Assistant Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany) touched down in Glasgow airport, having flown directly from Dusseldorf by Loganair. He was accompanied by his carer Yusuf. 

They were greeted at the airport by Bro Hector Macphail PM who drove them to their lodgings for the week, the Tontine Hotel.

PM Bro Macphail treated them to various visits around the 'Tourist Trail', such places as Loch Lomond, Duck Bay Marina as well as local sightseeing.

On Tuesday night 4th June, a small deputation from No XII - RWM Bro Bob Crossan, WSW Bro Brian McFadyen, SM Bro Alan Beck, Bro Hector Macphail, SD Bro Campbell Snoddy and Bro Crawford Kirkpatrick, accompanied our German Brother on a visit to Lodge Neptune No 419 where we witnessed a fine Raising conferred by Lodge Corkerhill No 1426. After the meeting we stayed for Lodge harmony and had a good chat and a nice plate of soup.

Thursday 6th June we had our Special Summer Meeting, which attracted an incredible 109 Brethren, the business of the evening was the Affiliation of Bro Robert Rolf Grundmann PAGM to No XII, the obligation of which was carried out by Bro Hector Macphail PM, we then had an Entering conferred by the Past Masters of No XII.

After an excellent first degree by our Past Masters, the Lodge was closed and a large number of Brethren remained behind for a wonderful harmony, courtesy of our President of Stewards, Bro Tony Buckley.

Friday 7th June we (Hector Macphail, Campbell Snoddy and myself) met up with Robert and his carer Yusuf and we had a lovely evening of great chat and excellent food in the Tontine Restaurant.

On Saturday 8th June Hector took Robert and Yusuf to the Marcus Humphrey House Fete, where there they met a few well known Brethren including The Widows Sons Scotland Masonic Riders

Robert and Yusuf flew home on Sunday 9th June and Robert sent Hector a lovely email last week expressing his thanks for his hospitality and efforts made to his visit so enjoyable, he also attach some photos of their time here

 

Fraternal Best Wishes

RWM Bob :)

 

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The week commencing the 3rd of June we have a ‘special guest’ (Bro Robert Rolf Grundmann) from Germany visiting the area, he is coming a long way and at considerable discomfort to himself as he is confined to a wheelchair.

He will be with us from Sunday 2nd June until Sunday 9th June and is here to receive Affiliate Membership to No XII at our meeting on 6th June, so I think it would be nice to give him some No XII Brotherly Love by doing the following

Can you please advise me if you can/cannot attend any of the following, especially Friday night as obviously we have to book a table

Tuesday 4th June

Lodge Neptune No 419 are conferring a Raising – Take our guest to this Lodge. It is a Lodge which is all on the level and very wheelchair friendly.

Thursday 6th June

We have our Special Summer Meeting at the Town Hall which is an Entering by our Past Masters. At this meeting our German guest will receive Affiliate Membership

Friday 7th June

Bro Robert is staying all week at the Tontine Hotel it would be nice if we could meet up with him at the Tontine and have a nice meal together.

Saturday 8th June

Bro Hector Macphail PM is taking Bro Robert to the Marcus Humphrey Fete

Bro Hector will also be taking Bro Robert on a couple of site seeing tours during the week, which he would be most grateful for anyone to accompany him.

 

Please help us help Bro Robert and make his stay in Greenockshire a memorable one

 

Fraternally

Bob

Provincial Office Bearers and Masters of the ProvinceCongratulations to Brother Eric Sweeney, Master of Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No 217 who was in charge of the Masters of the Province who conferred an excellent Fellowcraft degree at Lodge Sir Michael No 989 last night. The newly refurbished Temple was packed to capacity for the annual "Homes" Degree in aid of the residents of the Marcus Humphrey House with the event raising a record £1,000.

Well done to all involved.

I was taking part on the night as WJW and I also had the pleasure of presenting the second degree tools, a great night and very worthy cause

Bob

 

RWPGM Bro Robin McIntyre and the Masters of the Province

 We were invited to confer a Fellowcraft degree at Lodge Burns Dundonald No 1759 on Tuesday 30th April by their RWM Bro John McNish which we of course accepted their kind invitation.

About a month before the date for our visit, I received a phone call from RWM John McNish to ask if it would be possible to change the degree for the evening to a Mark degree. After checking with our Brethren we decided this was okay. Our own Mark degree was actually two weeks before our visit, so this would be a good practice run. 

So the 30th April arrived before we knew it and off we went to our sojourn in Dundonald.

As you would expect, we were given a really warm welcome from all the brethren of Lodge Burns Dundonald and their visitor for the evening, of which there were plenty, about 75 Brethren were present at the meeting.

After changing halls to accommodate the large crowd the meeting started, we remained outside as were we to be admitted as a deputation of which I, as RWM, would have the pleasure of heading. After about 20 mins, we were called for and duly led into the Lodge room. After the usual formalities the gavel was presented to me by RWM Bro John McNish, for which I thanked him in the usual manner. I called for the office bearers to be exchanged in favour of No XII. 

We then proceeded to confer the Mark degree on their candidate and I must admit it was a very fine rendition of the Mark with everyone being at the top of their game on the evening, just as two weeks before in our own Lodge. I then presented their RWM with the Gavel, for which he thanked me and all from No XII for such a fine degree. After their collection was uplifted we were asked if we would like to retire from the Lodge and we duly did.

I don't think they were expecting such a large crowd as at harmony, there certainly wasn't 75 pies on the table. Fortunately for us the harmony was served before the meeting ended and we all managed to get a pie each and other sandwiches and cakes. When the meeting ended I'm sure there were a few unhappy pieless Brethren, oh well that'll be us being talked about again :-))

Thank you to everyone who made the journey down to Dundonald for what I would call a very enjoyable night.

RWM Bob

Dundonald Deputation 19

The VictorOnce again today we were blessed with perfect conditions to try and retain the trophy in the annual bowling match against Lodge Crawfurdsburn No 1121. Firstly, thank you to all who turned up to play for both teams, even the 'ringers'. We had 3 rinks of 4v4 with 2 bowls each. On rink No 1 we had David Stevenson, myself RWM Bob, 'ringer' Ricky Kennedy and Kenny Morrison (skip). We could not have started worse with us being 6-0 down after 3 ends. We managed to pick ourselves up a bit and went into the half time (6 ends) 7-4 down. After a light refreshment or three we got back to the business at hand. Despite our much improved second half we found ourselves 4 down going into not just the last end but the very last bowl with 1121 lying shot. Sammy Hunter was playing his usual brilliant shots and his team mates (RWM John Laird, WSW Ian Hair and Tommy McDougall) also playing well. Anywho back to this last bowl that Kenny Morrison had, with 1121 lying shot, we waited with bated breath, about to experiencing a five shot gubbing, so Kenny called on his vast experience and for the first time today showed us what he is really capable of, he rolled the bowl, it's looking good, no it's looking great, oh no it's looking Magnificent, he's carried the jack through the back and we won the last end by 4 shots, with an unbelievable shot from our skip. We managed a draw, superb....

On the other two rinks, we managed to win one by 3 shots but in the other game we were beaten by 7 shots, which meant that 1121 were to be crowned champions for this years 

We once again had a wonderful day with our Brethren from 1121 and from various other Lodges. Congratulations to all at 1121 and to everyone who participated to make the day special. A huge thanks to Alistair Glenny for coming along and taking photos (see below - select any photo to enlarge it).

RWM Bob

Annual Bowling Match v No 1121 2019