Last night (17 November 2025) a band of 312-ers attended Lodge St. Servanus No. 771 and witnessed an evening of affiliations, elections and connections.
Past Master Bro. R. Russell McKendrick PM was in the chair and after opening the lodge proceeded to present a 50-year diploma to Bro. John Lasman PM. Bro. McKendrick congratulated him and gave a summary of Bro. Lasman’s masonic career and contributions to the Lodge. On behalf of the RWPGM Bro. Stuart Stirling and the Grand Lodge, Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC, as Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, congratulated Bro. Lasman, noting that they were each in the chair of their respective lodges at the same time in 2006/7.
In response Bro. Lasman’s thanks and remarks touched some interesting context. He reminded the brethren that when he was initiated in 1974 you could buy a new car for £300 and a house for £3,000! He further reminisced on some of the lodges famous characters and how busy the Lodge was in previous decades. He also noted that the Master for his initiation was Bro. Robert McCall, probably not knowing he was the cousin of our Master-elect Bro. Kenneth R. Shaw.
Next our IPM Bro Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC was affiliated to the Lodge of which he already and honorary member. So too was Bro. James T. Andrew PM 76, HM 312. In their thanks they committed to supporting the Lodge to the very best of their abilities in what is a very challenging time for it.
The Lodge then conducted its AGM. During the elections our IPM Bro Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC was elected Master. Bro. James T. Andrew PM 76, HM 312 was elected to Junior Warden. The AGM discussions highlighted both the depth of challenge Lodge St. Servanus faces and the support that will be forthcoming from the Stirlingshire lodges, Master-elect Bro. Campbell and Bro. Andrew. This was highlighted by our own Substitute Master Bro. David Stevenson who congratulated the Lodge on its appointments and assured the Lodge of the support from Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle No. 312 and no doubt all the Stirlingshire lodges.
In his remarks, the Master-elect Bro. Campbell, thanked the brethren for their faith in him, affirmed his commitment to the Lodge, rebuffed the term messiah (used to describe him earlier in the meeting) and assured the brethren he would work tirelessly to improve the Lodge’s situation.
Bro. R. Russell McKendrick PM expressed his thanks and exhorted the Alva brethren to greater involvement in the lodge, increased visiting and more use of their function hall.
In the harmony afterward, one could see many ideas, plans and actions being hatched which is encouraging for their future.
On behalf of Our RWM Bro. Richard A. Kerry and the brethren of 312, we congratulate all the newly elected brethren of St. Servanus No. 771.
All qualified brethren are encouraged to support Master-elect Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC firstly at the Installation on 13 December and thereafter.
L to R: SM Bro. David Stevenson PM, DSC, Treas Bro. Clint W. Swan PM, DSC, Bro. James T. Andrew PM, HM 312, Bro. R. Russell McKendrick PM, Master-elect Bro. Thomas J. Campbell PM, DSC, Bro. Derek A. Robertson Junior Warden, Bro. Kevin Moffat Snr. Sword Bearer.
