Arresting summer degree

Ninety brethren were treated to an excellent second summer degree, conferred by a deputation of current and past serving police officers.

A deputation from the PGLS, as the RWPGM Bro. Stuart Stirling’s first visit within the Province, added to our candidate Bro. Fraser Stevenson’s special Fellowcraft degree.

The degree team was made up eight lodges from four provinces led by RWM Bro. Mark McLuskey Lodge St. Leonard (Loanhead and Lasswade) No. 580, in the Province of Midlothian.  At the degree’s conclusion RWM Bro. Phillip Kennedy, Lodge St. Andrew Kilmarnock No. 126, in the Province of Ayrshire let the brethren know that these Police Scotland degrees for Police charities.  A current focus is COPS (Care of Police Survivors). This charity supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.

After what he described as a splendid degree, the RWPGM mused about the potential challenges for deputation leader RWM Bro. Mark McLuskey securing a degree team as a certain gentleman from the United States (President Donald Trump) was in Scotland this weekend.

RWM Bro. Richard A. Kerry proffered his thanks to the degree team, the Provincial deputation and the three Past Masters who stepped in to cover offices.  Special thanks went to Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC for all of his work in the background arranging the day’s events.

As the deputations retired, Bro. Barry Bryce PM 76, Honorary Member played the theme from Z Cars for the departing Police Scotland degree team.

During the harmony that followed IPM Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC presented a charity donation of £100 to Bro. Mark McLuskey.

Bro. Fraser Stevenson gave an impressive speech thanking everyone.  He referenced his grandfather Bro. John Stevenson who was recovering at home and his great grandfather Bro, White a member of Lodge Carron No. 139.  He concluded by inviting the brethren to his third degree on 9 August.