Visit to Lodge Shalom No 1600 - Thursday 13th March 2014

The No XII Deputation at Lodge Shalom

From Left: Bros Allan MacFeate DM, Crawford Kirkpatrick, Bob Bain IPM, Gordon Thompson IG, Alan Beck RWM, Eddie McGill, Ken MacDougall PM, Bob Crossan SD, Allan Glen WJW, KK Morrison PM, Tony Buckley PoS

From RWM Bro Alan Beck led the deputation and has provided this report:

No XII was on the road again with a Raising at Lodge Shalom 1600 in the Province of Glasgow on Thursday March 14th.  A few last minute call offs had meant that the deputation was 11 in number and so a couple of brethren were prevailed upon to jump in at very short notice to step up to the mark and deliver floorwork they hadn't been expecting.  Special mention must go to Bro Allan MacFeate DM who learned the Tools with only a couple of days' notice and delivered them like an old hand.  And talking of old hands, Bros Kenny Morrison PM (Raising and Secrets), B Bain PM (Traditional History and Tracing Board) and K MacDougall PM (Apron and Charge) delivered their parts with exceptional aplomb - just as I would have expected.

I feel it's always a shame that during reports the Inner Guard is rarely mentioned.  In No XII's ritual he is responsible for receiving the candidate (or in this case, candidates) and as the RWM I can say that when the IG receives him properly it is a calming influence on the RWM and his team so congratulations to Gordon Thompson.  WJW Allan Glen delivered a faultless Retrospect yet again and Bro Bob Crossan in only his second Raising was once again a stalwart Senior Deacon.

At the subsequent harmony, RWPGM of Glasgow Bro Alasdair Henderson commented on how the ceremony was "conveyed with much dignity" and congratulated the team most sincerely. PM Bro Monty Goodman in toasting the degree team said that it was one of the finest 3rd degrees he had ever witnessed and commented on the very interesting differences in the ritual between No XII and 1600.

The Brethren of No XII then enjoyed a superb fare of assorted Indian food and were royally entertained by RWM Bro Benjamin Benstock and the Brethren of Shalom.

All in all an excellent evening and one which was very successful in strengthening the ties between the two lodges.

Alan D Beck RWM