Sunday 11th December 2016

Christmas Carol Service
On the evening of Sunday 11th December, the annual Lanarkshire Freemasons Carol Service was held within Hamilton Old Parish Church.  This now well established event  was again well attended by the members of the various Masonic Orders and their family and friends. The service was conducted by the Rev. Ross Blackman of Hamilton Old Parish Church and was enhanced by the excellent church choir. The lessons were again read by the Heads of the various Masonic Orders. The collection was taken on behalf of the Lanarkshire Association of Mental Health,  which was the chosen charity of Rev. Blackman. At the close of the service, the congregation retired to the church hall for some festive refreshments. The total raised for Lanarkshire Mental Health by the various Orders was, £1,300. I would thank The companions, family & friends of Provincial Grand Chapter who came along to support this festival event.

Heads of Masonic Orders in Lanarkshire with Rev. Ross Blackman

Sunday 13th December 2015

Christmas Carol Service
On a cold Sunday evening in Baillieston, all the Masonic orders in Lanarkshire, along with their friends and families came together to celebrate Christmas at the now, firmly fixed in the Provincial calendar Christmas Carol Service. A large thank you must be expressed  to all who supported the event. Everyone arriving at the service was welcomed by the sound the bagpipes played by Ross Forrest. The service was conducted by  Rev. Malcolm Cuthbertson’s and his “chilli con carne” theme will remind many of the great evening of carols and fellowship. Music was provided by Bill Russell, the church organist.

Again the heads of the various masonic orders in Lanarkshire gave the readings and this year were also joined by Jim Peddie the PGM of Glasgow. The congregation contributed by the great singing of the carols which added to the atmosphere.  After the service most of the congregation were the guests of Lodge Robert Burns No.440 …for hospitality and to spend some time together. In addition to everyone having an excellent evening, nearly £700 was raised for Prostate Scotland but even this has already been augmented by cheques from some of the masonic orders, once the final figure is known we will let everyone know. Thanks go to everyone who took part in the service and to Raymond Dow who printed the Order of Service.

Heads of Masonic Orders in Lanarkshire with Rev. Malcolm Cuthbertson

Friday 19th June 2015

Presentation of cheques to the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland

Two cheques were presented from the Province to the Bicentenary charity of Supreme Grand Chapter, The Isis Murdoch foundation based at Stirling University.  The first cheque was for £1000, donated by the Provincial Grand Chapter.  The second cheque was for £80 raised by a raffle at the fishing competition, organised by the Third Grand Principal MEC James G. Turnbull.

Sunday 14th December 2014

Over 300 freemasons from the masonic orders in Lanarkshire joined together with their families, friends and visitors from outwith the county to hold a Christmas Carol Service at Blantyre Old Parish Church in High Blantyre. The service was conducted by the Rev. Sarah Ross. The service took the form of readings and carols. The welcome and readings were delivered by the heads of the orders within Lanarkshire. The congregation were in excellent voice and enjoyed singing both the traditional carols and one or two Christmas songs about Santa and Rudolph.

The service was thought a great success by those attending and participating in the service. The congregation left the church uplifted by the words of the minister's Christmas Message fresh in their minds. Most of the congregation retired to the church halls for a period of fellowship together over tea, coffee and a lavish spread of food provided by the Blantyre Lodges.

Kenneth D. Kennedy thanked all those attending and gave a vote of thanks, thanking the minister, organist and all those who had contributed in their own particular manner to making the service a success.

An offering had been taken during the service which raised £760 on the night and is expected to be enhanced in coming days with further donations, this will be presented early in the new year to The Haven to further their work with people with life limiting illness.

Our thanks are extended to the Minister, Kirk Session and Congregation of Blantyre Old Parish Church for their courtesy and hospitality in permitting the service to take place within their church.

     Connie Postlethwaite (The Haven), the Rev. Sarah Ross and the PGM with the Readers from the Carol Service.

Sunday 15th December 2013

Presentation of cheque to St. Andrews Hospice

Presentation of cheque to MS Society Scotland

A number of the heads of the masonic orders within Lanarkshire joined in Coatbridge to present a cheque for £1,150 to Darren Miller the Area Development Officer of the MS Society, Scotland.

The money was raised by a collection at a joint church service conducted by the Rev. John Thomson in Hamilton Old Parish Church ; the collection was further augmented by donations from individuals and various orders. The congregation at the service was drawn from members from a broad spectrum of masonic orders from across Lanarkshire and beyond.