The Fraserburgh Lodge of Freemasons #1055

In 1951 it was proposed and unanimously carried that a new fund should be opened, to be termed "The Jewel Fund". This was to help the Lodge defray expenses, as it was customary to present each Past Master with a Jewel to commemorate his year of office. However, it was made quite clear that it was to be the duty of each R.W.M. to keep this fund in a healthy state.

This fund has been kept solvent ever since and as each R.W.M. has relinquished office he has been automatically presented with his Jewel. Nevertheless, it was brought up later that the Master should be given the choice between the Jewel and the Apron. This move was turned down as it was thought that the Jewel would be the more appropriate.

An honour which was richly deserved was bestowed on Bro. J. B. Miller, P.M., by his elevation to the office of Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. He had been the Depute Provincial Grand Master for some years and his appointment was received very enthusiastically by the members of his Mother Lodge. He was installed into the office in October, 1951, and has remained in that office to the present day, bringing credit to himself and to the office. His Mother Lodge was very proud that one of her sons had received such a high distinction and is prouder still of the fact that he has carried this task so efficiently.

At the same time, another member of the Lodge Bro. A. J. McHardy, was elevated to the position of Provincial Grand Secretary. He has done a tremendous amount of work for his Mother Lodge as well, and his appointment was looked upon by the Lodge as a great distinction. He was not destined to stay in that office for any length of time because at the end of the year he was appointed Senior Assistant to Grand Lodge in Edinburgh, and although the Lodge warmly congratulated him on his new appointment it also expressed its regret at the departure of a so prominent and useful member of the Lodge.

At the Annual Visitation of the Deputation from Provincial Grand Lodge in February, 1952, the R.W.P.G.M. Bro. J. B. Miller paid high tribute to our Late Bro. H. M. King George VI, and expressed sincere appreciation of his qualities as a monarch, a man and a mason. At the request of the R.W.P.G.M., all stood in silence as a tribute to the memory of our Late King, after which a verse of the National Anthem was sung as a token of the allegiance of the members to the new Queen. Thus another part of the Nation's history was recorded in the minutes of the Lodge and also the sincere regret felt by Masonry in particular at the loss of not only the King but of a Brother.

In 1952, a sword which was suitably inscribed was presented to the Lodge by the R.W.M. Bro. W. J. McHardy. The presentation was carried out by the Provincial Grand Master who asked Bro. Secretary to accept it on behalf of the Lodge. In accepting the sword, Bro. Secretary reminded the Brethren present that it would always prove a reminder of the good work done for the Lodge by the R.W.M. during his term of office.

It has been mentioned throughout this short history of the Fraserburgh Lodge No. 1055 that annual visitations were made by Provincial Grand Lodge. The object of these visits should be made plain to all.

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They are made to ensure that the ritual and management of the Lodges were being carried out correctly. The ritual could be examined by seeing a degree worked, while the management was examined by a thorough check up on the books held in the custody of the Secretary and Treasurer.

It is interesting to note that in this context certain recommendations had gone out from Grand Lodge. These incorporated that it was essential that all Lodges had to take steps to see that their books and accounts were effectively audited each year. They also stated that no person should be appointed Auditor unless he was qualified by training or experience to carry out the audit in a capable manner.

These recommendations were all in the best interests of Freemasonry, because once carried out they gave the members of the Lodge a true and correct view of all Lodge funds and business transactions. It meant that once a properly audited balance sheet was put before the Lodge all present at that meeting had a clear indication of how the income was received and how it was spent. This made all the members aware of the position of the Lodge but as far as "1055" was concerned this position had been healthy for some years back.

That the Lodge was looking forward to its Jubilee can be seen in a minute dated January, 1955. Here it was proposed that a Jubilee Fund Committee should be instituted to raise funds by special efforts (although these special efforts were not specified) and not to interfere with the normal working of the Lodge. This was idea which caught on at once and a Committee was formed to find out what the Jubilee celebrations would entail and what the appropriate cost would be.

It is noticeable throughout the period under discussion the Lodge had increased its visits to other Lodges in the Province especially to work degrees. A deputation from "1055" went to Lodge St. Andrew No. 518, New Pitsligo, in March, 1956, and the R.W.M. of St. Andrew No. 518 (Bro. Andrew Michie), in welcoming the office-bearers of "1055", informed them that this was the first time that a visiting Lodge had worked a degree there since his Lodge had been founded (1872). Thus, even in a small way, this visit of "1055" had made history in the records of a sister Lodge in the Province.

At the Installation Meeting in December, 1956, the newly installed R.W.M. Bro. J. J. Smith, after thanking the Installation Board, expressed his pride and pleasure in performing his first duty as R.W.M. This was the presenting of the Diploma of Distinguished Membership to the Installing Master - Bro. J. B. Miller, P.M., and the Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East. In his reply, Bro. Miller expressed his feelings to the Lodge and stated that he did not feel entitled to the Diploma especially as the business of the Provincial Grand Lodge kept him away from his Mother Lodge so often. He then went on to state that the office-bearers of the Lode would agree with what he said when, with the hint of a smile, he stated that Lodge Fraserburgh No. 1055 would be the first Lodge to receive an official visitation in the New-Year, in fact in less that a fortnight's time.

After the Lodge went into recess in April, 1957, there had to be a special meeting called a fortnight later. This was due to the fact that the proprietors of the Lodge Rooms, the Caledonian Order of United Oddfellows, has offered to sell the Lodge property. The condition of the property had to be reported on, and in the opinion of those who had examined it, they seemed to be agreeably surprised at the sound nature of the buildings and that for a small outlay the property could be brought up to first class condition.

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After a general discussion the R.W.M. asked the meeting to move that the property be purchased. Before this proposal was moved the Lodge was asked to consider the advisability of buying the Jubilee Hall in Love Lane. This was met with considerable opposition, and after the premises had been viewed, the motion to buy the Oddfellows Hall was carried out.

It was then proposed that a committee be formed, consisting of the R.W.M., the two Wardens, the Secretary and Treasurer, to meet the Oddfellows and to have powers to buy the property up to a certain fixed sum. This motion was carried and the committee came into effect.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Lodge on the 28^th. May, 1957, it was intimated that both parties had come to an agreement over the price to be paid for the premises. The title deeds had been scrutinised by a competent authority and found to be satisfactory, and it became the finding of the meeting that the property be purchased at the figure requested and that the negotiations be carried out by a solicitor.

Thus, after being in existence for 48 years the Lodge now had its own premises. The years of building up funds, the establishment of a Building Fund for this very purpose and the enthusiasm of the members for the project, had at last borne fruit, and the culmination was that the Lodge now, after all these years of trial and stress, had a home of its own. This was indeed gratifying because the members could now set about making the building a truly Masonic one with all the energy they had at their disposal. Although some members did a lot of good work in trying to make the Lodge more presentable than it was, the necessary funds were lacking. This job was not destined to be tackled until the following year.

At the Nomination Meeting in November, 1957, the R.W.M. elect, Bro. G. R. Robertson, was nominated by the Secretary of the Lodge, Bro. W. J. McHardy, P.M. What is interesting about this is the fact that Bro. Robertson had been proposed for membership by Bro. McHardy and had then been Initiated, Passed and Raised by Bro. McHardy while he had been the R.W.M. This was indeed an unique occasion both for Bro. McHardy and for Bro. Robertson.

The zeal for Freemasonry has always been a feature of the Initiates of the Lodge, and this was amply illustrated by the performance of Bro. T. G. Will, who in December, 1957, travelled all the way from Ayr by car in order to be present to be Passed to the Second Degree. The inclement weather was not just the only obstacle, as Bro. Will had to leave for Ayr again almost immediately after the Degree. Special mention of this was made in the minutes, and this lesson should be brought home to all Freemasons who live in the vicinity of their Lodge - if one Brother could come all this distance surely we can all make the effort to go the short distance to the Lodge now and again.

At the Installation Meeting of 1957, a proposal was made by Bro. A. D. McLeman, P.M. that Bro. A. Duthie, P.M. should be presented with the Diploma of Distinguished Service. It was stated by Bro. McLeman that Bro. Duthie would be little known to the present Brethren. But to those who have read this record, they will have seen that Bro. Duthie had been a good friend to the Lodge, especially in its earlier years, and it was most gratifying to see that the Lodge had been moved to confer this honour upon one who had borne the heat of the day when the Lodge saw some very difficult years.

This was the last item of business done in 1957, and it was indeed a very pleasant ending to the year. It also meant that the Jubilee celebrations of the Lodge were now only one Installation away, and that a new year would see a great deal of work done as far as the Lodge was concerned.

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Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East

Grand Lodge of Scotland

80 Commerce Street / Fraserburgh / Aberdeenshire / AB43 9LP / Scotland