The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1² (No. 1bis)
Welcome
It is a privilege and a pleasure to once again be elected and installed as Right Worshipful Master of this most ancient Lodge which has a long and distinguished history. We believe that history shows the inexorable links from the operative masons who built the Abbey founded in 1136, through the 16th Century formation of trade guilds and their benevolent societies to the joining of gentlemen and the speculative Lodge we have today, reputedly making us one of the oldest if not the oldest Lodge of its kind.
I hope you enjoy the website and find the information it contains both interesting and informative. I can assure you that any Brother visiting the Lodge will always receive a most warm and fraternal welcome.
Philip J. Titley PM
Right Worshipful Master
Peter becomes a Master Mason
At the Regular Meeting of the Lodge on Monday 5 February 2024, Bro. Peter Farquhar was Raised to the High and Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
Pictured with Peter (centre) is the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders, Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth (L) and Master of the Lodge, Bro. Brian Lawson who both congratulated him on becoming a Master Mason.
Master Elect Announced
At the Nomination and Election of Office-bearers which was held at the regular meeting of the Lodge on Monday 5 February 2024, Past Master Bro. Philip James Titley was elected as Right Worshipful Master for 2024 - 2025 and will be installed in June.
Bro. Phil, who is currently the Lodge Almoner, was Master of the Lodge in 2008 and held the office for 3 years.
Phil will be installed on Saturday 29 June 2024 at 5pm (PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE) in the Corn Exchange, Melrose.
Congratulations and all the very best of luck Phil.
Bro. Phil presents to Local Historical Association
On 9 January 2024, Bro. Philip Titley, Past Master of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, gave the Melrose Historical & Archaeological Association an illustrated lecture on "The History of Freemasonry in Melrose".
Bro. Phil delivered the well researched presentation to a full house which was followed by a question and answer session.
Another great example of connecting with our communities.
The Melrose Historical & Archaeological Association is an educational group dedicated to the recording and promotion of interest in the history of Melrose and the Scottish Borders.
They have an annual programme of lectures and expeditions to sites of historic interest.
The Association has an active interest in the conservation and development of local historic and archaeological sites and engages in research projects.
Supporting Dementia in the Scottish Borders
On the 21 September 2023, The Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, Bro. Brian Lawson, along with Past Master Bro. Philip Titley, visited The Hawick Dementia Cafe which is held in the premises of the Hawick Lodge No. 111 and run by Bro. Jim Sykes, a Past Master of that Lodge.
Bro. Jim was instrumental in setting up the café in the Lodge as a similar facility was decommissioned a number of years ago, at the time when Jim’s late wife faced Dementia.
The café has gone from strength to strength. They meet on the third Thursday of every month and have a full house every time.
Jim and the dedicated team of volunteers welcome anyone (not just those from Hawick) who experiences the difficulties of Dementia along with their carers. Lunch is provided and they always arrange some kind of entertainment to give them a good afternoon and let them go away happy & smiling.
The Dementia Café is purely self-funded through generous donations. The Hawick Lodge No. 111, provide the use of their premises free of charge which is a fantastic help.
The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis is proud to support this great cause and was pleased to present Bro. Jim Sykes with a cheque for £200.
Should you wish to offer a donation towards the running costs or provide support in any other way, no doubt the team would be pleased to hear from you.
More information >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/426135231322132
Pictured: L to R: Bro. Brian Lawson, RWM of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, Bro. Jim Sykes, Past Master of the Hawick Lodge No. 111 and Co-ordinator of the Hawick Dementia Cafe and Bro. Philip Titley, Past Master of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1 bis.
1bis Annual Installation & Masons Walk to Melrose Abbey
On Saturday 24 June 2023 it was the Annual Installation of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis in the Corn Exchange, Melrose, where Bro. Brian Lawson was installed as Right Worshipful Master for a second time.
There were 77 from within and out with the Province in attendance including deputations from Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 which was headed by their Reigning Master, Bro. Paul Gilhooley and the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders, headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth.
The installation was ably conducted by Bro. George Donnelly PM, Past Master of Lodge St. Ebbe No. 70, a Past Provincial Grand Mater and Honorary Member of No. 1 bis along with Bro. Duncan Taylor PM, a Past Master of Melrose 1bis , assisted by Bro. David Jeffrey, Reigning Master of Lodge St. Ronan's No. 856, as Installing Senior Warden , Bro. Tim Slater, Reigning Master of Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58, as Installing Junior Warden and Bro, Lewis Young PM, Immediate Past Master of Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 as Installing Inner Guard. Bro. Robin Wilson, Past Master of Lodge St. John Stow No. 216 provided musical accompaniment on his accordion.
After a successful ceremony of installation, 55 brethren joined the Annual Masons' Walk to Melrose Abbey which was lead by the Melrose Pipe Band, where Bro. Philip Titley PM, a Past Master of Melrose 1bis delivered a short oration to the assembled brethren and members of the public.
The procession returned to the Corn Exchange where the brethren enjoyed an informal harmony.
Photo(s) Credit: Bro. James Thom
Recognising 60 Years of Dedicated Service
On the occasion of the Annual Installation of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, on 24 June 2023, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth, had the pleasing duty of presenting a 60 year diploma to Bro. Hall Jeffrey, a Master Mason of the Lodge.
Bro. Hall is a well respected and dedicated supporter of the Lodge and always has the best interests of the Lodge at heart. Pictured is Bro Hall with the RWPGM and the Master of No. 1bis, Bro. Brian Lawson, congratulating him on his notable milestone.
Photo(s) Credit: © Bro. G. R. W. Duff
Melrose Masons meet the Melrosian
On Saturday 24 June 2023, Members of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis, met the 2023 Melrosian, Will Owen, at the site of the original Melrose Masonic Lodge at St. John's Wynd in Newstead.
This was on the occasion of the Annual Melrose Festival Traditional Tour of Ceremonies marking the end of a successful Festival Week, where the Melrosian was presented with a print of the Old Lodge.
June 23 :: Photo(s) Credit: © Douglas Hardie / Melrose Festival Executive
Supporting Rett Syndrome
Holly suffers from Rett Syndrome which is a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability. It's estimated to affect around 1 in 10,000 girls born each year and is only rarely seen in boys.
Some children with Rett syndrome are affected more severely than others. Also, the age at which symptoms first appear varies from child to child. A child may not have all the symptoms of Rett syndrome, and their symptoms might change as they get older.
The Lodge donated £200 to Friends of Holly to aid with Holly's continuing care.
Find out more about Rett Syndrome at: https://www.reverserett.org.uk/
"The Centrepin of the Lodge...."
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Andrew E. Forsyth had the very pleasing duty of presenting Bro. Alistair Little, Past Master of the Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis and the Provincial Grand Secretary with his 50-year diploma, which should have been presented last year, but was delayed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
On congratulating Bro. Little, The PGM said that Bro. Alistair "was the Centrepin of the Lodge for many years " and "had a significant role in the creation of the new Province".
During his 50 years in Craft, Bro. Alistair has been awarded distinguished service and has also been awarded Honorary Grand Rank in appreciation to his hard work and dedication to the Lodge, Province and the Craft in general.
Pictured is the RWPGM (left) Bro, Alistair Little PM (middle) and Bro. Brian Lawson (left), RWM, The Lodge of Melrose St. John No. 1bis at the PGL Visit to the Lodge on 7 November 2022.
Honorary Membership Conferred
One final piece of Masonic Business our Outgoing Master had to attend to at the Installation Meeting on 25 June 2022 was to confer honorary membership of our Lodge on Bro. John W. Blackie. (AKA Jock)
Bro. Jock is a Past Master of the Galashiels Lodge No. 262 and the Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master of the The Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders, a well respected Man and Mason with a vast knowledge and experience of Freemasonry has been a great supporter of our Lodge and its members.
The privilege and pleasure of conferring honorary membership fell on Bro, Kenneth H. Ross, a very pleasing last duty as Master of the Lodge before our new Master was installed later on in the Meeting.
Congratulations and Well Done Bro. Jock - very well deserved!
June 22
