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

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 which was also 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)

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.

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.

WSW Mark Corbett, presents a cheque for £200 on behalf of the Brethren of Lodge St. John Selkirk 32, to Jo Amos, representing The MS Society, who recently organised fund raising events for the Society

David Mitchell RWM, presents a cheque for £100,on behalf of the Brethren of Lodge St. John Selkirk No. 32, to Judith Thompson of Selkirk in Bloom. (Photograph by Bro. Grant Kinghorn).

Bro. Ian Stewart PM, RWM of the Hawick Lodge No. 111 presents Hawick Community Hospital with chocolate eggs as an Easter treat for their patients. 

 Bro. Tony Turnbull of Lodge St. John Jedbirgh No. 104 presents a cheque for £500 to the Jedburgh Out of School Club who are a registered charity run by a small, fully qualified team and a committee. They provide registered childcare for children aged 3 years to 13 years in a safe and stimulating environment for children to learn and play. 

RWM, David Mitchell,of Lodge St John Selkirk No. 32, accompanied by WSW, Mark Corbett, presents a cheque for £500 on behalf of the Lodge to Caroline Brophy-Parkin of the Salvation Army

Bro. David Mitchell, RWM, Lodge St. John Selkirk No. 32 presents a cheque for £500 on behalf of the Lodge to Peter Birney of the Selkirk Food Bank

The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis has had a long standing relationship with Melrose & District Pipes & Drums as they have, for a number of years, lead our Torchlight Procession (Masons’ Walk) to Melrose Abbey immediately after our Annual Installation on St. John’s Day each year, sadly, with the exception of 2020.

Due to the continued COVID-19 Crisis, their fundraising activities have been significantly curtailed this year so to show our appreciation the Lodge donated £100 to the band for which they were most grateful.

Lodge Dunse, No. 23, realised that Food Banks are really being called upon and used a lot more because of the number of people now needing help due to the effects which COVID-19 is having on income and employment.  Hopefully our donation of £500 to Duns and District Food Bank will help it in its support of needy families.

With us not having meetings due to COVID-19, therefore, not being able to have an Almoner’s Appeal at the Installation, they  donated £200 to Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund. .

The Lavender Touch first came to life in 2003, with the aim of helping to lend support to those living with cancer whilst dealing with the side effects associated with its treatment.

Since then, they’ve been credited with helping people through the most difficult times of their lives, through their complementary, locally-based therapists and treatments – along with the therapeutic and natural products they develop.

Despite first being met with scepticism, their complementary therapies are now tried-and-tested, and have become an important part of helping people through their cancer journey in the Scottish Borders; their referrals come through local healthcare professionals.

These days they’re run by four dedicated, unpaid trustees who are passionate about the services and products they provide, and pride themselves in the fact that a large percentage of money raised through fundraising goes towards patient care. This is so vitally important to us, and is achieved by keeping admin costs to a minimum.

Their mission now, more than ever before, is to raise awareness so that more people know they’re there, and that their therapeutic treatments and products are accessible for anyone living with cancer (and its side effects) in the Scottish Borders. No-one should have to suffer alone, and their service is completely confidential.

Bro. Ken Ross, The Right Worshipful Master of The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis congratulated them on their efforts and proudly presented a cheque for £200 to aid the excellent work they do. With fundraising activities being severely curtailed due to COVID-19 restrictions the donation was very much welcomed by the organisation.

Borders Additional Needs Group (BANG) was set up over 17 years ago with the goal of supporting families in the Scottish Borders. It was set up by a group of parents who felt they would benefit from meeting together to share experiences. It grew quickly in the first 3 years and since then, BANG has added more resources and linked in with many organisations and services. 

Through establishing these links, they now provide free music therapy, annual trips (Calvert Trust, The Yard, Alan Shearer Centre), organised events (Archery project, Summer Respite Camps, Silent Disco), parent carer days and provide signposting support. This support enables parents to have emotional support when needed and access to useful and relevant information such as; respite, finances, education support, funding and the latest government changes.

Another excellent charity doing some really worthwhile work. The Lodge of Melrose St. John No.1bis is happy to support BANG and recently gave a donation of £200. With fundraising activities being severely curtailed due to COVID-19 restrictions the donation was very much welcomed by the organisation.