THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

 WELCOME to the website of the Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders, I trust that you will find it both interesting and informative.

It fills me with great pride to have been appointed as Provincial Grand Master in June 2020, sadly, the Global Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic  continues to cause disruption to everyone's daily lives, including all our Masonic activities.  It is encouraging, however, that  there does appear to be some positive progress being made and some of the restrictions are now being relaxed.  

It may take some time to get back to "normal" Masonic activities, however, the health, safety and welfare of everyone is our priority and we will take the time required to create a safe and inclusive environment.

I have been so proud of  how all the Lodges have interacted with their members and also continued with their Fundraising and Charitable activities.

To Freemasons who manage to visit our Province, you will be assured of a warm welcome.

Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth

Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master

The Margaret Kerr Unit (MKU) adjacent the Borders General Hospital in Melrose is a purpose-built specialist palliative care unit serving the population of the Scottish Borders. They have eight comfortable rooms with spaces and gardens for patients, families and friends to relax and receive support. They also see patients within the unit as an outpatient.

The team look after patients whose symptoms are complex, working with them in their home, community hospitals or care homes as well as the Borders General Hospital and the MKU.

They are very grateful for all the ongoing donations, which allow us to develop services to improve care for all our patients in a community or hospital setting.

In memory of Bro. Tommy Grieve, who was the Reigning Master of the 100-year-old Lodge Whiteadder No. 1245, a sum of £1, 000 was donated to the Margaret Kerr Unit by the Lodge. Tommy was in the Care of the Margaret Kerr Unit when the Lodge had its very last meeting before its closure. Tommy’s health at the time did not allow him to attend the meeting which he was so much looking forward to. Sadly, Tommy passed away a short while later. 

This generous donation will help others benefit from that expert care provided by the unit.

Pictured (l to r) are: Rachel Partakis (Junior Doctor for the unit), Becky Smithson (GP with specialist interest in Palliative Care) and Ruth Cossar (Palliative Care Physio).

(Oct 21)

Peebles Burgh Silver Band was established in 1834 and currently sits in the Fourth Section of the Scottish Brass Band Association Championships.  They perform regularly throughout the year playing on the march at local engagements, indoor and outdoor concerts and in competitions.

The Band  rehearses twice weekly in their Band Hall in the middle of Peebles High Street under their Musical Director, Peter Holmes – Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm.

Peebles Burgh Youth Band, for their learners of all ages, also rehearses on a Tuesday evening – 6.00 pm until 7.00 pm under the baton of David Robb.

Prior to the Annual Installation Meeting of Lodge Peebles Kilwinning No. 24, on 23 October 2021, The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth,  presented a cheque for £250 on behalf of the Borders Youth Support Scheme in support of the Band's Youth Section.

(Oct 21)

Lodge St. John No. 280 in Coldstream recently donated £100 to the Coldstream Medical Centre. The cheque was received by Dr. Fiona Morton from the Master of the Lodge, Bro. Stewart Clark PM. Also pictured are Dr. Sarah Beatty from the Medical Centre and Bro. Peter Greenwood, Secretary of Lodge St John. The money will be used for items that are not available from the NHS and which will benefit patients.

The Henderson Park Viewpoint in Coldstream has long been a favorite for views over the Tweed and an excellent place to “sit and let the Tweed carry your troubles away”.  After many years of neglect a local couple, Fiona and David Shepherd, asked the council to let them resurrect the Park and Viewpoint and this was readily granted. 

Over the last year the Viewpoint has been extensively cut back and replanted and future work includes ambitious plans to complete the remainder of the park, including a sensory garden. The local Primary School will be involved and they will bury a Time Capsule.

Lodge St. John No. 280 are delighted to assist in this work with a donation of £100 towards the cost of the renovation.

Pictured receiving the cheque from the Master of the Lodge,  Bro. Stewart Clark, are Fiona and David Shepherd.

(Oct 21)

Little did Logan Smith realise when he was seeking some sponsorship that the Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders would come to his aid. His initial request was from Lodge St. John, No. 280 who took his case to the Borders Youth Support Scheme (BYSS). He required support for travel and accommodation for National and International competitions, which were not all covered by his sponsorship from a bike team. 

As a talented and up-and-coming rider, Bro. Stewart Clark took his case to the BYSS.  Logan completed the application himself and impressed the decision panel who awarded him £500.

Well done Logan who received the cheque from the Master of the Lodge, Stewart Clark and Secretary, Peter Greenwood.

The photograph was taken from the newly refurbished Henderson Park viewpoint, which has also received support from Lodge St. John, No. 280.

(Oct 21)

Broomlands Primary School in Kelso is located in the Heart of the Scottish Borders, providing an excellent education provision for about 250 young learners. Further to a survey conducted by some of the Primary 7 Pupils, it was found that the majority of pupils wanted to see improved play equipment in the playground and voted to have Playground Climbing Frame Apparatus and immediately started fundraising under the name of “Project Playground”

The School has an active Parent Council, a small team of dedicated and committed parents and volunteers to support the school and pupils. Fundraising is part of the Parent Council’s remit, helping the school to purchase those nice to have items that the Local Authority is no longer able to provide, sadly, due to their program of fundraising activities being severely reduced because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis, they have been unable to contribute to Project Playground at a level they would normally have been able to do so.

Freemasons in the Borders became aware of the project and decided to help. The Borders Youth Support Scheme, a scheme operated by the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders, donated £250, Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58 donated £250 and The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis also assisted by donating £200.  Representatives visited the School on 12 October 2021 to hand over the £700.

Pam Guthrie, joint Chairperson of the Parent Council was delighted by the generosity of the Masons and thanked them very much for their support.

Pictured (L to R)   Bro. Ken Ross, Master of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, Bro. Mick Todd, Master of Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58, Paula Lowrie, member of the Broomlands Primary School Parent Council, Amy & Lauryn from the School, Pam Guthrie, Joint Chairperson of the Parent Council, Bro. James Thom, Depute Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders and Bro. Bill Heaney, Past Master of Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58

After 100 years it was the very last meeting of Lodge Whiteadder No. 1245 on 9 September 2021. 

Further to this sad farewell, on 2 October 2021, the Lodge Amalgamated with Lodge Dunse No. 23 and a Special Ceremony was held to mark the occasion.  [READ MORE] 

It was an evening of recognising some great milestones at Lodge St. John Coldstream No. 280 on the 21 September.

Two well respected and well known Brethren celebrated 50 years in the Craft.    The Right Worshipful Master, Bro. J. Stewart Clark PM, had the pleasing duty of presenting Bro. Bob Mathieson PM, whose Mother Lodge was Lodge Blackadder (Greenlaw), with a 50 Year Certificate and Jewel and Past Master Bro. Gavin Knox PM, proudly presented Bro. Alec Young PM with his.  

The Master Elect of Lodge St. John Kilwinning No. 57 (Haddington) was in attendance to pass on congratulations on behalf of No. 57 as this was Bro. Young’s Mother Lodge. 

The Right Worshipful Provincial Master, Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth, who was there for his visit, was proud to have witnessed these presentations and recognised the dedication and commitment these two Brethren have not only given to the Craft but also to the Lodge and congratulated and thanked them both. 

Congratulations and well done Bob and Alec!!

(SEP 21)

Bro. Eric Hoare, Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Dunse No. 23, had the greatest  pleasure of  presenting Bro. William Douglas Smith with his 60 Year Diploma on the evening of 14 September 2021. This was also the evening of the PGM's visit.  

The RWPGM, Bro Andrew E. Forsyth, was delighted to have witnessed the occasion and congratulated Bro. Smith on reaching this fine milestone in his Masonic Journey.  Congratulations and well done Bro. Smith!!

(SEP 21)

 On the evening of Friday 10th September 2021, where full safety measures were observed, a small but distinguished deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, headed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Bro. William Ramsay McGhee, accompanied by The, Grand Secretary,  The Grand Senior Warden , Bro. G .R. J. Donnelly Past P. G. M., Acting Junior Grand Warden and  The Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, visited the Tait Hall in Kelso on the occasion of The Installation of Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth, Past Master of Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58, as  Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders.  Bro. Andrew was appointed Provincial Grand Master of our Province on 11 June 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 Crisis, his installation had been understandably delayed. [READ MORE]
 

(SEP 21)

Over 100 years as a Lodge came to a sad end on Thursday 9 September 2021 when Lodge Whiteadder No. 1245 held a meeting for the very last time........ [READ MORE]

(SEP 21)

Kelso in Bloom was established as a sub-group of Kelso Community Council in 2015 with the aim of enhancing entrances to the town.

Over the past few years their committee has run on a fairly informal basis, however, as they look to increase their volunteer numbers due to an increase in the areas they now maintain, as a result of Local Authority cuts, they are always looking for additional help and support..

Bro. Mick Todd, Master of Lodge Kelso and Tweed No. 58,  is pictured (right) presenting a cheque for £500 to the Chairman of Kelso In Bloom, Gavin Horsburgh. 

Well done and thank you to Kelso in Bloom who work tirelessly to ensure that the town always looks its best. Keep up your good work! 

(AUG 21)

Lodge Kelso and Tweed  No. 58 organised a Whisky Raffle to raise funds for The Hawick Dementia Cafe which was drawn on 18th August.  

The  First Prize of a bottle of "Continuous Evolution" purchased from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Edinburgh at a cost of £150.70 (Cask No 9.181. ABV: 55.6%)  was won by Bro. John Hogg, from the  Hawick Lodge No. 111

The Second Prize of a bottle of Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was won by  Lodge Whiteadder 1245.

The raffle raised £1, 000 which was then matched by Lodge Kelso & Tweed.  A cheque for £2, 000 will be presented to The Hawick Dementia Cafe at the Installation of the PGM on 10 September.

Lodge Kelso & Tweed sincerely thanks those who participated in the raffle for their kind generosity.

(AUG 21)

Started in 1936, Melrose Festival is held in the third week of June to promote an interest in the life of the community and to remind us of Melrose's historical past. A Melrosian and a Festival Queen and Court lead the town are appointed annually during Festival Week and represent us at neighboring town Festivals.

The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, in the Province of the Scottish Borders, has a longstanding relationship with the Festival, as the Master and members of the Lodge meet the Melrosian along his supporters during the Tour of Ceremonies at the site of the original Melrose Masonic Lodge at St. John's Wynd in Newstead.

The Lodge proudly gave a donation of £250 to the Festival which was very much welcomed during this period where their fundraising activities have been curtailed. 

(JUL 21)

Lodge Kelso & Tweed 58 are delighted to support Cheryl and Guide Dogs UK.

Cheryl Marchbank is raising money for Guide Dogs and wheeled herself 5 miles in her manual wheel chair on 10th July from Hawick to Denholm with her guide dog Nala at her side. 

Our Right Worshipful Master, Bro. Mick Todd and along with  Secretary, Bro. Tim Slater PM, presented Cheryl with a cheque for £250.

“I qualified with my dog Nala in 2019. I love having the freedom and independence to go out on my own and do every day things. I’m loving my life now more than ever all thanks to the amazing work of Guide Dogs. They really do change lives” Said Cheryl.

Well done Cheryl!

(JUL 21)

Children 1st is Scotland’s National Children’s Charity.  Providing practical and emotional support to children and families across Scotland to prevent, protect and support them to recover from trauma and abuse.  

During this period where fundraising has been very much curtailed, The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, is proud to give a small donation of £150 to this worthwhile charity, from which, so many children benefit.

Click on this link to read more about the great work they do: https://www.children1st.org.uk/

(JUL 21)

The Kelso Laddies Association is responsible for organising and delivering Kelso Civic Week which happens each year in July. Sadly due to the Coronavirus Crisis the town was unable to hold their Civic Week in either 2020 & 2021. 

The Committee organised a number of "virtual" events this year to keep the town engaged which Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58 kindly sponsored to the value of £150.

The Association very much appreciated the Lodge's sponsorship, especially at a time when their fundraising activities have been on a very much reduced level. 

(JUL 21)

Melrose in Bloom's principal aim is to keep the town looking beautiful throughout the year, with floral displays for locals and tourists alike.

It has a large group of volunteers who plant, weed, clean and water, the latter using “Rosie”, the group’s much-admired watering vehicle.  This year the group is helping the Beavers with their gardening badge and has encouraged a local toddlers’ nursery to plant and look after planters. 

The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis has been a regular supporter of Melrose in Bloom and as a small token of appreciation gave a donation of £50 to aid the great work done by the dedicated volunteers.