***********BEREAVMENT**********
It is with great sadness I have to inform the brethren on the passing of
Mrs Jean McKay wife of the late Past Master Bro. Richard McKay & mother-in-law to  Bro. Wallace Allan P.M. On behalf of our R.W.M. Bro. Joe Robb, Past Masters, Office Bearers and brethren of 1601 we extend our sincere condolences to the family at this very sad time
Funeral Arrangements
Wednesday 24th April @ 1.30pm Service to be held in Blackburn Parish Church
thereafter the committal at Blaeberry Hill Cemetery Whitburn
​____________________________________________

​   A Reminder to all Office Bearers &   Brethren of 1601 
 INSTRUCTION CLASSES
    are held within the LODGE every  Sunday @ 11.00pm prompt
 Our R.W.M. looks forward to your  attendance

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******Scottish Lodges*******
Click here for details of all Scottish Lodges
_______________________________________________________________________

                                               
Our R.W.M. will be visiting the following lodges  week commencing:-   

Monday.. .....Lodge: 
Tuesday.......Lodge: 
Wednesday. Lodge: 
Thursday.....Lodge: 
Friday...........Lodge: 
Saturday...…Lodge:
Sunday.............Instruction Class  Commences @ 11.00 a.m. PROMPT 
​
The above meetings are subject to change
Thank you for your support Bro. Joe Robb R.W.M.
                            

1601 News....  scroll down the page for news and photographs: 

   
                                            Monday 8th April 2019
   I along with the office bearers and brethren were looking forward to tonight's meeting as a lodge we have a close affinity to Lodge Blackridge 1145 were conferring the degree. My first duty was a very sad one and that was to inform the brethren since our last meeting
Bro. Robert Elder M.M. roll no. 540 initiated 21st September 1989 passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 30th March 2019. I asked our brethren to be upstanding for a minutes silence while our Chaplain Bro. David Ure P.M. lead the lodge in prayer. My next duty was more pleasant and that was to welcome all  brethren into the lodge with a special warm welcome to our visitors.  Apologies were rendered on behalf of Bro. Paul Heron P.M., Bro. Ryan Scott,  Bro. Matt Harvey P.M., Bro. Philip Devitt P.M., Bro Derek Richardson W.S.W.
Sick Report: Nil. I  then called on our D.O.C. for any presentations. The following brethren was then presented. Bro. John Lauder P.M. 1658, Bro. James Rankine P.M. 8791 E.C. Bro. Charlie Morley S.M. 590 all brethren were invited to their rightful place in the east.

 
I then asked our secretary Bro. Andrew Wallace P.M. to read out the minutes of the last regular meeting which were then approved and seconded. followed by the last committee meeting which included the nominations for office bearers for 2019/20  Bro. Wallace  then read correspondence  from Lodges within the province regards their April Meeting. I then asked brethren for reports of visitation.
After adjourning the lodge for a few minutes our D.O.C. then returned with a deputation from Lodge Blackridge 1145 headed by R.W.M. Bro. Billy Hiltson also presented was Bro. Ian McGregor I.P.M., Bro. Willie Vietch P.M., Bro. Jim McGregor P.M., Bro. Freddie Winters P.M. H.M. 1601, Bro. Raymond White P.M., Bro. Craig Hiltson D.M, Bro. Andrew Fleming P.M. 13 H.M.1601, Bro. Alan Baker P.M. 1614 and Bro. Alan Duthie P.M. H.M. 1601 all brethren were invited to there rightful place in the east. the remainder of this 18 strong deputation I welcomed into the lodge. After all the presentations I then presented the gavel to R.W.M. Billy Hiltson in order for his degree team to confer the Entered Apprentice Degree
The candidate for the evening was Bro. Ewart Morley
After the completion of the degree and receiving the gavel back I congratulated Bro. Hiltson and his degree team on a quite outstanding degree which was warmly received by the brethren.
Bro. Tom Marshall acting I.P.M. invited Bro.James Rankin P.M. 8791 to say a few words on behalf of the visitors
Before closing the Lodge Bro. Wallace Allan informed the brethren that the Annual Ball tickets were now available. Cost £15 ....to be held in the Masonic Hall on Friday 18th October 2019 
 Bro. Joe Robb R.W.M.


Attendance: 52 Brethren
Collection:   £93.50

                         Next  Meeting: Monday 22nd APRIL 2019 @  7.00pm
                      Business: MARK DEGREE to be conferred by Lodge Office Bearers
                                            MARK MASTER: Bro. Paul Heron P.M.                                             
                                            

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On Monday 22nd October 2018 Bro. Joe Robb W.J.W. M.E.  selected a team of "Mature " brethren   to carry out the Fellow Craft Degree.
Bro. K. Dodd Bro. D Richardson Br. R. McLachlan Br. J. Robb Bro. W. Allan Bro. T. Bambourgh Bro. D. Ure

                                                 Friendship Cup
On Saturday 18th August 2018 @ Seafield Bowling Club the annual  Bowling Tournament between Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 and Lodge Scotia 178 Glasgow was held.  I am delighted to inform the brethren that Lodge Lord 1601 were the victors and the winning team pictured above was:
  Bro. Jimmy Robertson Bro. Eddie Drysdale Bro. Garry Drysdale Bro. Joe Robb 
​               Well done brethren make sure you win the Trophy next year
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    Bro. John Smith : Bro. Andrew Wallace P.M. : Bro. Charlie Rogerson P.M.
​Brethren who represented the lodge at the 200th Anniversary Ceremony of Rededication of Lodge St. John Midcalder 272 on Saturday 5th May 2018 @
                                     The Houston House Hotel Uphall

           On Monday 12th February 2018 R.W.M. Bro. Matt Harvey presented
     Bro. Jim Ellis P.M. 827 with his Honorary Members Diploma and Lodge Tie

On Monday 12th February 2018 Bro. Charlie Rogerson P.M. was presented with his Jewel as Honorary  Grand Director of Ceremonies of The Grand Lodge of Scotland and his Diploma by     Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro. James Ellis P.M. 827

Monday 12th February 2018
A memorable night in Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 with
Bro. Jim Ellis P.M. 827 Bro. Charlie Rogerson P.M. 1601 Bro. Matt Harvey R.W.M. 1601

                       On Monday 22nd January 2018 Bro. Matt Harvey R.W.M.
                   presented Bro David Ure P.M.  with his 50 year Jubilee Diploma

          On Monday 8th January 2018 Bro. Matt Harvey R.W.M.  presented
             Bro. Charlie Rogerson P.M.  with his 50 year Jubilee Diploma
                                        and a 50 Year Anniversary Jewel

         On Monday 28th November 2016 Bro. Joe Robb I.P.M. presented Bro. Tommy Steel I.P.M. 1186
                                            with his Honorary Members Diploma and Lodge Tie

 On Monday 14th November 2016 R.W.M. Bro. Joe Robb presented Bro. Alan Duthie I.P.M. 178
                                          with his Honorary Members Diploma & Lodge Tie

On Monday 14th November 2016 Bro. Charlie Rogerson presented the Lodge with a Heart Start Defibrillator
                                      

                       Lodge Lord Bruce successful Bowling Team 2016
  Bro. Garry Drysdale W.S.W  Bro David Heggie Bro. Andrew Fleming P.M.  H.M.1601  Bro. John Weir Bro. Wallace Allan P.M.

On the 24th October 2016 Bro. Joe Robb R.W.M. presented Bro Robert Taylor with his 50 year Jubilee Diploma while Bro John Weir presented Bro. Robert with a 50 year Jewel on behalf of the family

On Wednesday 19th October 2016 four of the brethren from the Lodge visited Bro. Tom Smyth at his home to celebrate his 97th Birthday The brethren gifted Bro. Tom with a 50 year Jewel, 5oth Anniversary Tie  and a Photograph. 
                                                           Tom's mother lodge is Whifflet St John 963 Coatbridge
In 1963 Tom became a Founder Member of 1601 and to the best of our knowledge he along with Bro. Jim Girdwood P.M  F.M. and
Bro. Hugh Haston F.M. are the only surviving Founder Members (if you know otherwise please contact)  He was our lodge Almoner for 12 years. Due to ill health Tom could not attend the lodge to receive his 50 year Jubilee Certificate. The brethren decided to present Tom with a 50 year Jewel to commemorate  his 53 years as a member of Lodge Lord Bruce 1601.
                             Tom was delighted to meet with the brethren and have a good chat about "The Auld Times"
                         His only wish was that he could get out to attend a lodge meeting.  ( Almoners Post is still vacant Tom )
Brethren in the photograph  Bro. David Shields Almoner Bro. Joe Robb R.W.M. Bro. Phil Devitt Ass. Sec P.M. Bro. Charlie Rogerson D.O.C.

   Brethren who took part in the Young Masons Degree team on Monday 11th October 2016
                        Bro. R. McLauchlin  Bro R. Scott Bro. D Ure P.M.  Bro K. Dodd
    Bro. R. Hastie   Bro. J. Drysdale P.M. Bro. G Drysdale (Conferring Master)  Bro. J. Barnes

On Friday 5th February 2016 within the premises of Lodge Lord Bruce 1601
Bro. James Ellis  Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master presented
Bro. Thomas Marshall P.M. 1601 with his Provincial Grand Senior Wardens Jewel
Bro. Marshall was Initiated into 1601 in May 1972  &  R.W.M. in 1990/91 
In 2001 when our  Provincial Representative   Bro. John Clarkson was presented with his Provincial Grand Senior Wardens Jewel, the lodge was now looking for a new representative. Bro. Marshall was asked if he would like to become our representative to which he replied: "I will cover it for a year and see what happens"
15 years later he received his Senior Wardens Jewel.
A year is a long time in Freemasonary
As a debt of gratitude for his services on Monday 8th February 2016
R.W.M. Bro. Joe Robb on behalf of the lodge presented Tom with a
Provincial Grand Senior Wardens Apron, Sash & Case
Congratulations to Bro Tom Marshall P.M. from all at Lodge Lord Bruce

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Monday 14th December 2015
R.W.M. Bro Joe Robb presents Bro. David Heggie  with his 50 year Jubilee Certificate

                                                               Monday 26th October 2015
 R.W.M. Bro. Bro Matt Harvey presents Bro John Weir M.M. with his 50 year Jubilee Certificate
                           Bro John Weir was initiated into Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 in May 1965 
    He is the first initiate of 1601 to be presented with the 50 year Jubilee  Certificate in his Mother Lodge

 Monday 26th October 2015
Bro Richard Park P.M. Lodge Nisbet Tranent 1112 was made an Honorary Member of 1601
R.W.M. Bro. Matt Harvey presents Richard with his Diploma  and Lodge Tie

                                                             Monday 28th September 2015
       Bro. Alan Borsbey P.M. Lodge St John Stoneyburn 1186 was made an Honorary Member of 1601.
             R.W.M. Bro. Matt Harvey presents Alan  with his Honorary Members Diploma and Lodge Tie

On Friday 5th June 2015 at Lodge Almondale 1658 Bro. Patrick McCluskey P.M. Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 was presented with his Jubilee 50 Years Service Certificate to Freemasonry by Bro Robert W. Scott R.W.P.G.M. of Linlithgowshire. Bro James Caven R.W.M. 1658 on behalf of Lodge Almondale  presented to Bro. Pat. McCluskey P.M.  a 50 Year Service Jewel Bro. Pat McCluskey is an Honorary Member of 7 Lodges and in February 2015 he was presented with  the Honorary Provincial Grand Junior Warden Jewel for services to Freemasonry by Bro. Robert W. Scott. Bro. Pat was initiated into Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 in May 1965 and thereafter was R.M.M. in 1973/4. Several of the brethren from Lodge Lord Bruce attended the meeting and many congratulations was given by all.

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                 Brethren who took part in the Young Masons 1st Degree on Monday 13th April 2015
                                                  Conferring Master Bro. Joe Robb W.S.W.
                     Bro. R. McLauchlan Bro. D Ure Bro. A Caven Bro. D. Richardson Bro. G. Rennie
      Bro. J. Barnes Bro. J. Kernachan Bro. J. Robb  Bro. G. Drysdale Bro. W. Paton Bro. J. Quipp 

R.W.M. Bro. Matt Harvey places a plaque on the wall presented to  1601 by Lodge Kirkton Hall 1614 to commemorate their 50th Anniversary as a Sponsor Lodge. Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 visited them on the 3rd April 2015 and conferred a 3rd Degree

Monday 30th March 2015
As one of the sponsor Lodges of Lodge Kirkton Hall 1614
and to celebrate their 50th Anniversary R.M.M. Bro. Matt Harvey presented engraved Deacons Wands  to
R.W.M. Bro. Jim McLaughlin on behalf of Lodge Lord Bruce 1601

                                             Monday 13th October 2014
     R.W.M Bro. Derek Hope 114 presented Bro. John McEwen Tyler P.M. 1601 with his 50 year diploma
                                    also congratulating him was R.W.M. Bro. Paul Heron 1601

Monday 22nd September 2014
R.W.M Bro Paul Heron presents Bro Stuart Learmonth P.M. 13  with his Honorary Members Diploma and 50th Anniversary Tie

Brethren who took part in the Young Masons Degree on Monday 22nd September 2014
Conferring Master: Bro Matt Harvey W.J.W. P.M.
Bro. A Caven  Bro. D Richardson  Bro. D. Hastie  Bro. K Dodd  Bro. J Barnes
Bro J. Smith Bro. J Robb Bro. G Rennie Bro. Matt Harvey Bro. R McLauchlan (Candidate) Bro. J. Kernachan Bro. D Ure

                                                        9th December 2013
 A  Degree Team made up of Honorary Members of 1601  conferred the  Entered Apprentice     
  Degree to celebrate the first ever Degree worked in Lodge Lord Bruce in December 1963
Bro. H. Baxter. 178  Bro. D. Fergie.. 1112  Bro. Stuart Hay 178   Bro. T. Walker 272   Bro. R. Gemmill 1186   Bro. Jim Cole 1658
Bro. T. Duncan 1186  Bro. D. O'Neil 374  Bro. G. Preston 272  Bro. P. Heron R.W.M. Bro. F. Winters 1145 Bro. T. Doherty 1186

          Brethren who took part in the Young Masons 1st degree Monday 14th October 2013
                                       Conferring Master Bro. Paul Heron W.S.W P.M.
            Bro. G. Rennie Bro. D.McIndoe Bro. J. Murray Bro. D. Taylor Bro. J. Smith Bro. M. Harvey
          Bro. D Hastie Bro. R. Hastie Bro. P. Heron Bro. D Richardson( candidate)  Bro. A Rennie Bro. J. Kernachan. Bro. J. Huston

                            Bro. Robert Russell  P.M. 1601 along with Bro Kirk Rodger R.W.M. 636 and Bro Allan Rennie R.W.M. 1601
                                                                                  with his 50 years service diploma

Bro. Robert Russell along with brethren from his Mother Lodge 636 after receiving his 50 year diploma

       On Monday 28th January 2013 R.W.M. Bro. Allan Rennie welcomed Lodge Heart of Midlothian 832 
                 to confer the 2nd Degree..... Lodge 832 was headed by their R.W.M. Bro David Holburn

                                             This picture says it all
         Bro. Charlie Rogerson P.M. Bro. David Holburn R.W.M. 832 Bro. Allan Rennie R.W.M.

L/Cpl Bro. Tommy Couper presenting a photo to R.W.M. Alan Dale on behalf of Lodge Lord Bruce
Bro. Couper is serving in The Black Watch 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and after his tour of duty in Afghanistan was assigned to Balmoral during Her Majesty's Stay
The photograph is of Bro. Tommy Couper  and his regiment  with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

Young Masons Degree on Monday 24th September 2012
Conferring Master  Bro. Allan Rennie W.S.W. M.E.

Young Masons Degree with our newest Entered Apprentice
Bro. Robert Hastie

On Monday26th March 2012 R.W.M. Bro. Alan Dale welcomed a deputation from various lodges throughout  the English Constitution to witness the Master Mason Degree on two Fellow Crafts Freemasons

     The under 35 degree team who conducted a 2nd Degree in the lodge on Monday 30th January 2012
 The degree team was headed by Bro Scott Robertson R.W.M. 1186

R.W.M. Bro. Alan Dale with  brethren from America who attended  the lodge on Monday 23rd January 2012

Bro. Alex King R.W.M presented Bro. Andrew Fleming P.M. 13 with his Honorary Members Diploma
        and Lodge Tie on Monday 14th November 2011

       R.W.M. Bro. Alex King presented Bro.Tom Duncan P.M. 1186 and Bro. Tom McAllister I.P.M. 413 
                 with there Honorary Members Diploma  & Lodge Tie on Monday 24th October 2011

Young Masons Degree  Monday 11th April 2011
Conferring Master Bro. Alan Dale W.S.W. P.M.
Bro. A. Caven Bro. J. Kavanagh Bro. K. Dodd Bro. J. Robb Bro. H. Stubbs
Bro.A. Rennie Bro.G. Drysdale Bro.A. Dale Bro.T. Cooper E.A. Bro.D. McIndoe Bro.J. Murray Bro.D. Taylor

Conferring Master Bro. Alan Dale W.S.W. P.M. welcomes 1601 newest Entered Apprentice Bro. Tommy Cooper into the Lodge. Bro. Cooper is a member of the armed forces serving in:   The Royal Regiment of Scotland . 3 Scots . Black Watch at present in Fort George.
Just like one of our other brethren Bro. Graham Thomson, Bro. Tommy will in the near future be doing his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Bro. Tommy is hopeful it may be nearer the end of the year in order for him to receive his 2nd and 3rd Degrees.
No matter when, 1601 is very proud of both our brethren and wherever they serve our country,  we wish them well. 

 Bro. Alan Dale W.S.W  P.M. 6092 Worthy Master Bro. Richard Brown 6092 Bro. Robert Clements P.M. 1601
    On the 6th September 2010 Bro Alan Dale W.S.W. P.M. along with Bro. Robert Clements P.M. visited
 Lodge of St Peter 6092 Province of Bedfordshire (Bro. Alan's Mother Lodge) on this occassion it was  the    
           last meeting of Bro Richard Brown Worthy Master

 Bro Albert Crooks and R.W.M. Bro. Philip Devitt

   Display Cabinet of Bro John Crooks P.M. 1601 First initiate R.W.M.
 Cabinet made and presented to the Lodge by :
  Bro. James Harvey P.M. 

        Two Brethren from Lodge Scotia Glasgow 178 who were made  Honorary Members on Saturday 25th September 2010
                                 Bro. James Thomson R.W.M. 178    R.W.M. Bro Philip Devitt 1601  Bro Stephen Glover P.M.  178

R.W.M. Bro. Philip Devitt gives  Bro. Graham Thomson M.M. 1601  ( with his new lodge regalia) a warm welcome back in to the lodge after his tour in Afghanistan

Proud father Bro George Thomson I.G. enjoys a pint with his son Graham at the Lodge Harmony
                (note who has got the pint)

First to the bar Bro Graham Thomson for his free pint of Belhaven as promised by the brethren of 1601

Our visiting brothers from Lodge of St Peter 6092

         Bro. Alex King W.S.W. and the young mason who worked a 1st Degree on Saturday 10th April 2010
                                                     Bro. Tony Caven   Bro. Alan Dale   Bro. Henry Stubbs
        Bro. George Thomson   Bro. Allan Rennie   Bro. Alex King W.S.W.   Bro. Gordon Rennie   Bro. Joe Robb

 

             On Monday 25th January 2010 R.W.M. Bro Philip Devitt presented to Bro John Clarkson Architect with his,
     Diploma of Distinguished Service Membership in token of appreciation of his long and faithful service to the lodge

 

Bro. John Clarkson

On Monday 23rd November 2009 Bro. Philip Devitt R.W.M. presented Bro John Clarkson with the  Almoners Jewel.
Brother John Clarkson has been the Lodge Almoner for 21 years and reluctanly he had to retire from the post this year due to family health reasons.
Such is John's enthusiasm for the craft at our recent installation he was installed as Lodge Architect a post that can allow him to spend a bit more time at home.
Bro. John Clarkson holds quite a unique record in freemsonary, being the longest ever serving Almoner in 1601.
In 2001 in his mother lodge of 1601 after 14 years of loyal service to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire he was presented with the jewel of Provincial Grand Senior Warden by the then Provincial Grand Master Bro Gavin McDonald.
John is the first brother in the history of Lodge Lord Bruce to have achieved this high position. He also has the proud record of being the first Brother in the history of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire to have achieved this honour having never been a Past Master
The brethren of Lodge Lord Bruce hold Brother John Clarkson in high esteem and look forward to seeing  him come about the lodge for many years to come. 

Bro. Graham George Thomson M.M. 1601

The brethren of Lodge Lord Bruce were delighted to welcome back Bro Graham Thomson into the lodge after his Tour of Duty in Afghanistan. Unfortunately Bro Graham's return is just as the lodge goes into recess and before we re-open in September Graham will be serving in Germany, then back of to Afghanistan. From everyone in the Lodge we wish him well and look forward to him returning home safe and sound and wearing his new lodge regalia back in 1601.   
On 28th February Graham finished 56th in  Hesco Half Marathon in camp Bastion Afghanistan with a time of 1hr 33mins. A fantastic time under such terrible conditions  There was  500 soldiers who started the race representing countries from America, Denmark Estonian and all three services from the British Army. 
To Graham and all the competitors well done  lads and everyone back home is very proud of you.
Graham is 22 years old and a Master Mason of 1601 and the son of Bro. George Thomson the Lodge Inner Guard
Bro Graham is a SAPPER with the Royal Engineers 
It is quite amazing the interest Brethren from other lodges have asked me about Graham. On my visits to other lodges I am quite proud when a brother asks how is Graham doing, not only as a freemason but as a soldier serving our country overseas While Graham is, at the present time home on leave, it will not be long before he returns for duty and we will be corresponding with e mails and keeping you up to date with his activities    (Bro. Charlie Rogerson P.M.)                     

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A well travelled Brother from 1601 is Bro. Alex Wright having visited many lodges throughtout the world  Here Alex is visiting Carstairs Lodge No. 20 Alberta Canada in April 2009 along with 3 other Scots Bro. John Renfrew Lodge Roman Eagle 160 
Bro Alex Wright 1601 Bro. Ian Galbraith P.M. Liberty Lodge 419

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                  A Visit to Lodge Elgin and Bruce in 2001

In 2001 Bro James Millar the then R.W.M. headed a large deputaion from Lodge Lord Bruce to Lodge Elgin and Bruce 1077 a lodge that is well  worth a visit.
The photograph taken on that visit includes the Reigning Masters who attended the meeting that evening with second from the right being the late Bro John Herbison P.M. 1658 and H.M. of 1601

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