Lodge Almondale 1658

100 Years Rededication for Elgin & Bruce 1077

2010-11-16T01:44:00.000-08:00

LODGE ELGIN & BRUCE CELEBRATE 100 YEARS

A 100 year rededication celebration was held in the Kings Cellar on Saturday 6th November.

Representing Grand Lodge of Scotland was most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Bro. Charles Ian R. Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont.

Lodge Almondale had 12 Brethren in attendance at the service, and our director of ceremonies Bro. Ernest Lamond led the deputation from Provincial Grand Lodge.

It was a fantastic day, RWM John Jameson and his brethren made us very welcome before during and after the service.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP FOR BRO GRANT DOUGLAS

2010-09-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP FOR BRO GRANT DOUGLAS

Tuesday 14th September 2010

(Brother Douglas pictured here receiving his certificate, tie and jewel from the Right Worshipful Master James Caven.)

Brother Grant Douglas of Lodge Elgin and Bruce No.1077 was given honorary membership of Lodge Almondale No.1658 at the first meeting of the Lodge after the summer recess.

The R.W.M. said, “Brother Douglas is a shining example of how a Freemason should conduct himself, he’s one of the first to help clear the Temple after a meeting and you will see him lending a helping hand in the kitchen and serving meals, he does not see it beneath him to roll up his sleeves and wash dishes”.

A regular attender of Lodge Almondale since moving to Livingston Brother Douglas has also been able to attend meetings of his Mother Lodge in Limekilns. Lodge Elgin and Bruce have close ties with Lodge Almondale, a partnership that was formed in 2001 when the late Brother John Herbison P.M. was in the chair at Almondale.

Brother Douglas said, “I am delighted to receive this honour; it came as a total surprise”.

The Brethren of the Lodge also presented him with an engraved hip flask set to mark his achievement.

Traveling Trowel Rules

2010-09-15T04:03:00.001-07:00

The "Provincial" Traveling Trowel

Rules of Engagement and "Capture"

The "Open Season" is from 1st May until the following 30th April.
The Trowel can only be "captured" by Daughter Lodges in the Province of Linlithgowshire.
To "capture" the Trowel a Visiting Lodge must take a Deputation of at least 10 members (honorary members are excluded!) into any Regular or Special Meeting of the Lodge holding the Trowel. The Visiting Lodge can only "count" its members actually forming the Deputation that enters the Lodge holding the Trowel. Members of the Visiting Lodge sitting in the "holding" Lodge before the Deputation enters, non-members in the Deputation and latecomers after the Deputation enters don't "count".
Each member of the Visiting Deputation must contribute at least 50 pence to the "Traveling Trowel Kitty" before the Trowel can be claimed by the Visiting Lodge and the Brother heading the Deputation must claim the Trowel before the close of the meeting of the Lodge being visited.
In the event of two or more Visiting Deputations, each with at least 10 brethren, visiting the "holding" Lodge, the Visiting Lodge with the larger Deputation will have first claim on the Trowel, subject to payment into the "Kitty". If there are two or more Lodges each with the same size of Deputation then each Deputation will be required to contribute to the "Kitty" and thereafter the Lodge entitled to "capture" the Trowel will be decided in such manner as the Master of the "holding" Lodge may determine on the evening.
On the "capture" of the Trowel the successful Lodge should immediately notify the "PROVINCIAL" establishment (Secretary) so that the location of the Trowel can be recorded for information of Lodges interested in attempting its "capture".
The "Kitty" will travel with the Trowel and the Master of the Lodge holding the Trowel at any time will be responsible for the safe custody of the "Kitty".
The Lodge holding the Trowel at 30th April shall determine the charity whether masonic or non-masonic - to which the "Kitty" is to be donated and the "Kitty" shall be made over to the nominated charity as soon as practicable after 30th April.
The "Traveling Trowel" is intended to promote good-hearted rivalry among the Daughter Lodges in the Province, as a "bonus" to raise donations for Charities. The "capture" of the Trowel is therefore warmly commended as cheerful fraternal fun and as a fund generating activity within the Province of Linlithgowshire.

Installation of Office Bearers 2010

2010-03-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

The installation of office bearers and the festival of St John was held within the masonic temple of Lodge Almondale 1658 in Craigshill Livingston on Friday 5th March 2010.
The R.W.M. Bro James F. T. Caven was installed into the chair for his third time by installing Masters Bro E. Lamond P.M and Bro J. Lauder P.M.
Sadly installing Master Bro Brian Wilkinson was too ill and unable to attend the evening.

The Image below was taken at last years installation and shows the three installing Masters.

Brian Wilkinson , John Lauder , Ernie Lamond

R.W.M James Caven

Lodge Almondale Office Bearers 2010 - 2011

Right Worshipful Master Bro James Caven
Immediate Past Master Bro James Cole
Depute Master Bro John Lauder
Substitute Master Bro Kevin Bartleman
Worshipful Senior Warden Bro Alan Irvine
Worshipful Junior Warden Bro Adam Laurie
Secretary Bro William Spalding
Treasurer Bro robert McLellan
Almoner (Vacant) Stand in Bro Ernie Lamond
Chaplin Bro Brian Wilkinson
Senior Deacon Bro john Muir
Junior Deacon Bro James Redmond
Inner Guard Bro David McDaid
Jeweller Bro Kevin O'Donoghue
Bible Bearer Bro George Bartleman
Director of Ceremonies Bro Ernest Lamond
Bard (Vacant)
Sward Bearer Bro Simon Lancaster
Architect Bro Vincent Carlin
Senior Steward Bro Martin Sweeny
Junior Steward Bro Derek wilkins
Tyler Bro Hugh Grant

Representatives from the body of the lodge

Bro Ben Holgate

Bro William Malcolm

Office Bearers Lodge Almondale 1658

2010 ~ 2011

Installation 2010 Party at Da Vinci's

2010-03-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

Visit to Lodge Elgin and Bruce 1077 wednesday 10th February 2010

2010-02-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

Lodge Almondale visited Lodge Elgin and Bruce with a 10 strong deputation on

Wednesday 10th of February 2010.

Leading the deputation was Depute Master Wullie Malcolm who was accompanied

by Bro. Kevin Barltleman, Bro. Hugh Mc Keown, Bro. Jimmy Redmond,

Bro. Roger Mc Cluskey, Bro. David Mc Dade, Bro. George Bartleman, Bro.

Martin Sweeny, Bro. Kevin O'Donoghue, and Bro. Darren Brown.

Accompanying the 10 man team from Lodge Almondale was the ever attendant

Bro. Grant Douglas a member of Lodge Elgin and Bruce 1077 and a regular

attendee of Lodge Almondale 1658.

On arrival at the Lodge we where made very welcome and witnessed a very fine

working of the third degree, it was the most entertaining third degree I

have witnessed in many years. The candidate for the evening Bro. Geoff

Spencer, was a credit to his lodge and I am sure he will excel in Masonry.

After the meeting we had a photo opportunity in the temple and then went

downstairs to a very cold cellar, but a warm welcome and a short harmony.

I would recommend all Master Masons visit Lodge Elgin and Bruce 1077 in

Limekilns, Fife.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed and will receive a welcome that is

second to none.

Bro Martin Sweeny

Burns Night Lodge Almondale 1658 Feb 2010

2010-02-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

Burns Night Feb 2010

2010-02-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

Photo and plaque unvalued at Lodge Almondale 1658 as a tribute to the late Dr Ian Howie Thompson, a founder member of the Lodge

2010-01-25T10:21:00.000-08:00

Photo & Plaque unveiled by Dr Thompson's wife Tuesday 12th January 2010

Lodge Almondale Christmas Dance 2009

2009-12-13T02:32:00.000-08:00

Link to Masonic Network

2009-04-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.masonicnetwork.org/home.php

Most honorable corks West Calder 2009

2009-04-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

Email from Douglas Caldwell Dalton Lodge #105 F&AM Dalton, GA USA 706-218-4819

2009-04-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Martin !

I am the youngest son of Lloyd Caldwell. He is the designer of the Masonic Stairway rug that you feature on your website.

I just happened to be doing some work on a new website for him, and came across your site with his rug image.

I was wondering if you would mind putting a link under the image to his website www.MasonicStairwayRug.com

You could also make the image a link which would be GREAT!

He is currently retired, but is still very active in the various Masonic organizations statewide.

The sales he generates with these rugs helps him do more.

Currently he is in the process of installing an elevator and new bathrooms in our Blue Lodge.

Of course most of the “Elevator” work is being done by a contractor, but he has done most of the planning, demolition, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical himself.

This has been something our lodge has needed for years.

If you could be so kind to link to our site, I would be very grateful.

Maybe one day we will be able to come visit your lodge.

I know attending Lodge in Scotland has been a dream of my father’s for many years.

Sincerely,

Douglas Caldwell

Dalton Lodge #105 F&AM

Dalton, GA USA

706-218-4819

Contact Douglas by Email

doug@victoriasvalues.co

TAXI for BOBBY

2009-03-14T04:29:00.001-07:00

Ernie Lamond 50 Years Service to Lodge

2009-03-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

George Preston Jim Caven Ernie Lamond

Office Bearers 2009-2010 Almondale 1658

2009-03-14T03:43:00.000-07:00

Installation of Office Bearers 2009-2010

2009-03-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

Installation of Office Bearers
Friday 6th March 2009

Lodge Almondale 1658

RWM
Bro James F.T.Caven

Installing Masters
Bro E. Lamond PM 1658
Bro J. Lauder PM 1658
Bro B. Wilkinson PM 1658

Office Bearers 2009 –2010
Right Worshipful Master….Bro James F.T.Caven
Immediate Past Master….Bro James M. Cole
Depute Master….
Substetute Mastert….Bro John Muir Snr
Worshipful Senior Warden…. Bro Kevin Bartelman
Worshipful Junior Warden….Bro Alan Irvine
Secretery….Bro William Spalding PM
Treasurer….Bro Robert McLellan PM
Chaplain….Bro Brian Wilkinson PM
Senior Deacon….Bro Hugh McKeown
Junior Deacon….Bro John Muir Jnr
Inner Guard….Bro Roger McCluskey
Jeweller….Bro James Redmond
Bible Bearer….Bro George Bartelman
Director of Ceremonies….Bro Ernest Lamond PM
Bard….Bro Adam Laurie PM
Architect….Bro David McDaid
Senior Steward….Bro Martin Sweeny
Steward….Bro Derek Wilkins
Tyler….Bro Hugh Grant
Representatives of the Body of the Lodge
Bro Ben Holgate & Bro William Malcolm

2009-01-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

Grant's 40th Birthday Bash

2009-01-26T11:37:00.001-08:00

New Year 2009

2009-01-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Masonic New Year Dance 2009

2009-01-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Out with 2008 and in with 2009, the new year was brought in with style at Lodge Almondale 1658.

A fantastic time was had by all who attended, keeping with the traditions of Lodge Almondale's new year celebrations the guests came well prepared with refreshments and buffet lunches, one group of German guests visiting our lodge for the first time brought with them a banquet fit for a king.

To the sound of the bag pipes the new year was brought in and the dancing went on till the wee hours.

2008-10-27T07:43:00.001-07:00

Cork Degree Lodge Oak 877

2008-10-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

A thirteen strong deputation headed for Kelty on Saturday 18th October 2008 among them where four new candidates. It was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all, the brethren from Lodge Almondale would like to thank the degree team from Kelty who done a remarkable job.

Halloween Party

2008-10-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

A Halloween party will be held in Lodge Almondale Masonic hall on Saturday 1st November.

All lodge and social club members are welcome to come along with friends and family to join in the fun .

Tickets will be available from the social convener Mandy ( price £3.00 )

Entertaining you will be husband & wife duo G & T, fancy dress is optional but I hear plans are in place to fine guests a small amount for not participating.

Fantastic prizes for best dressed

Don't miss this SPOOK-TACULAR night out.

Lodge Almondale 1658 Anual Ball 2008

2008-08-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Lodge Almondale annual ball 29th August 2008

Annual Bus Trip To 205 Garthland St.Winnoch

2008-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Annual Bus Trip To 205 Garthland St.Winnoch

Cork Degree Lodge Almondale Friday 23rd May

2008-05-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

The degree team from Kelty

The Doctor leading the degree team

Bro Martin sweeny ( nice hat ! )

Bro Roger McCluskey ( Up fpr a song ? )

No Song ? (Paying The Fine)

Bro John Hardgreeves

Bro's Jimmy Redmond & Kevin Bartleman

Bro Benny Hill AKA Bro Hugh Grant

Bro Hugh McKeown

Nice Hat Kevin

Jimmy & Grant

Bro George Bartleman

Cork Degree Lodge Almondale 1658

2008-05-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Cork Degree

Friday 23rd May 7.30 pm

Lodge Almondale 1658

Open to all master masons in good standing

The Degree team from Lodge Oak 877 Kelty, Fife

The cork degree is an informal degree full of fun and is aimed at raising cash for children's charities, brother's from all lodges wishing to attend are most welcome.

To help us with catering and seating please contact this page or call Lodge Almondale with the number of seats you require.

01506 439418

Cork Poem

The Cork Degree

You may climb the Mason's Ladder till you reach the highest point

And in toiling slowly upwards rack yourself in every joint

But I venture to inform you - if you've reached to thirty-three

The best of all the bunch is what is called the Cork Degree.

You ask me what it means? Well, Sirs, it means just what it says

You can booze yourself to blazes through a hundred happy days

You may stop your dinner or your tea and sell your knife and fork

But you mus'nt venture out of doors without your Mason's Cork.

It's a circle and the centre that it holds is Fellowship

There are many signs and tokens which you may well give the slip

So long as you do not forget that the Cork, to have its due,

Must have safely in its centre what it seldom lacks - a screw.

For that means the bottle's open, and the drinks are going round

And the Corkites are delighted with the whiskeys gurgling sound

As it cluck clucks in Friendship's name and flows right merrily

And thus maintains the glories of the Almighty Cork Degree.

Then when heads are getting muzzy and when eyes are getting faint

And you're free to fight you're damndest with a devil or a Saint

If some kindly Christian Soul enquires how many moons you see

You may bet your empty tumbler he's got the Cork Degree.

Travling trowel has travelled

2008-04-23T02:43:00.000-07:00

Travelling trowel at Lodge Almondale…But not for long

On Friday 11Th April Lodge Almondale left St Andrews in Deans holding the travelingtrowel, Bro' Jim Cole led a ten man deputation to claim his prize, but his celebration did not last long.

On Tuesday 22nd of April Lodge St John 272 from Mid Calder made a massive counter attack marching into LodgeAlmondale with a sixteen strong deputation claiming the trowel for themselves.

The traveling trowel will stay in Mid Calder until after the summer recces before an other Lodge can make a counter claim.

The trowel is handed to Mid Calder 272

Seven of the ten that returned with the trowel

Triumphant Mid Calder take the trowel

Bro Alan Irvin

Bro Ben Holgate

Bro Martin Sweeny

Bro Roger McCluskey

Bro Hugh McKeown

Bro Kevin Bartleman

Congratulation to Lodge St John 272 Mid Calder on winning the traveling trowel.

Lodge Almondale 1658: Lodge Almondale 1658

2008-04-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

Lodge Almondale 1658: Lodge Almondale 1658

Masonic Race Night

2008-04-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

Video by Martin Sweeny

Almondale Sportsmans Dinner

2008-04-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

Pictures by Martin sweeny

Lodge Almondale Club photo's

2008-04-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

Almondale Club Photo's

Pictures by Martin sweeny

Lodge Almondale 1658

2008-04-15T04:01:00.000-07:00

John Muir & John Muir Jnr

Bro's Adam Laury & Martin Sweeny

Bro's Kass Darling, Derek Wilkins, Adam Laurie, Jim Cole, Eddie Montogomery, Hugh Grant

Bro's Derek Wilkins & Martin Sweeny

Bro Jimmy Orr PM

Bro's Jimmy Redmond & Grant Duglas

Master Jim Murry cole getting some attention after his installation

Bro Martin Sweeny and his wife Isabelle

Past Masters Adam Laurie & Alex Sweeney

Lodge Almondale 1658

Pictures by Martin sweeny