Our annual Mark Master degree was again conferred by Lodge Caldercruix St. John No. 1314 from the Province of Lanarkshire Middle Ward. It was an evening of many emotions including celebration, laughter and remembrance.
Our RWM Bro. Kenneth R. Shaw welcomed a deputation of 18 headed by their Master Bro. George Randall PM swelling the attendance to 68.
The night was the first meeting to acknowledge and remember Bro. John Stevenson who passed to the Grand Lodge above on 21 April 2026. Bro. Stevenson’s grandfather was Master 1927-1928. John was Depute Master to son Bro. David Stevenson PM, DSC our current Director of Ceremonies. Also Bro. Stevenson is father to Bro. Craig Stevenson and grandsons Fraser is Jeweller and Jack Bible Bearer. Bro. Stevenson had not been well for several years but fought hard against his conditions as shown by his attending the initiations and installations of his family. Bro. Thomas J Campbell PM led the tribute to Bro. Stevenson before the brethren observed a moments silence in remembrance.
Before the Mark Master ceremony two well-known brethren affiliated to the Lodge. Our RWM Bro. Kenneth R. Shaw conducting the obligation. Kirkintilloch born, Bro Roy Robertson moved to Bannockburn at four. His Mother Lodge is Banff No. 52, when he lived there for six years. He has been a regular attender and visitor with us for some time. Bro. Ian (Dickie) Dick is another local and friend of many at the Lodge. His Mother Lodge is Clackmannan No. 1303. Work means its tougher to get to their regular meetings. Both Brothers were warmly applauded into the lodge as our latest affiliates.
Bro. George Randall PM took possession of the gavel and passed it on to Depute Master Bro. Scott Haviland PM as Mark Master. Ably assisted by Bro. Geoff Spence as Conductor, the 1314 team advanced six 312 brethren to the honourable degree of Mark Master. They were:
- Bro. Steven McMullan
- Bro. Fraser Stevenson
- Bro. Jack Renton
- Bro. Frederick Tabiri
- Bro. Keith Graham
- Bro. Neil McCambridge
At the conclusion of the meeting Bro. Randall exchanged fraternal greetings and looked forward to us going to 1314 on 2 June to conduct the Entered Apprentice degree, and to their next visit to Bannockburn.
As is tradition he ended with the clarion call “You have the name and we have the number.”
