Article submitted by Bro Trevor McBean, St Nicholas Lodge Secretary
St Nicholas LodgeNo. 1676 Lodge was opened in love and harmony at 7:05pm. WBro Steven Kirtley ProvAGDC was admitted in to the Lodge and informed the WM that the WBro Alasdair Watson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, had requested permission to enter. The Master, WBro Roger Bishop indicated that he would be welcome. WBro Watson was admitted, introduced to the Master and Brethren present. He was introduced personally to the Master who in turn offered the gavel. W Bro Watson respectfully declined. WBro Watson was seated and the brethren called to order to salute the Assistant Provincial Grand Master appropriately.
The Lodge Business for the evening being progressed, W Bro Alasdair Watson APGM, requested that WBro Steven Kirtley ProvAGDC take W Bro Alan Eadie PJGD to the centre. W Bro Steven Kirtley called the brethren to order and asked them to form a square around the Lodge. W Bro Alasdair Watson APGM, W Bro Roger Bishop WM and Bro Trevor McBean were requested to enter the square and stand opposite WBro Alan. WBro Watson requested that the secretary read the certificate in open Lodge which he proceeded to do. The certificate was then handed to WBro Alasdair Watson who presented it to W Bro Alan. WBro Watson congratulated WBro Eadie on his achievement and gave a brief history of some of the aspects of WBro Alan’s Masonic career. It was clearly obvious that WBro Alasdair had done his research before the presentation and was able to share some interesting facts in respect of WBro Alan’s masonic career and publications. WBro Eadie been a member of the Masonic Philatelic Club since its formation and gives regular talks. He is also a Life member of the Mark Token Collectors club and a founder of the Jewels of the Craft study circle. His early and continuing interest in masonic research saw him become a member of the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle back in 1965. He has received several awards for his work including the much-coveted, Norman B Spencer Prize Essay Competition sponsored by the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076. The subject of the Essay was the secretive “Knights Grand Cross of Jerusalem in Newcastle upon Tyne”
After the presentation, WBro Alan thanked WBro Alasdair for his kind words and observations and was escorted back to his seat by W Bro Steven. At the instruction of WBro Alasdair, the brethren were called to order and WBro Alan Eadie was saluted with three. The Master and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master were escorted back to their seats.
W Bro Iain Howland of the Lodge Paisley St Mirren’s No. 129 in the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland presented his cousin W Bro Alan with a Scottish 60 Year jewel.
The Lodge then Concluded their normal proceedings with three risings and finally apologies for absence. On this auspicious occasion W Bro Steven Kirtley asked the brethren to stand and allow the W Bro Alasdair Watson APGM to retire but that he would see us at the festive board
The lodge was closed in love and harmony,
If any brother would like to know more about the interesting and distinguished career of our W Bro Alan Eadie, he has kindly built a folder on his life as a mason which makes for some very reading.
A copy of the folder is held by the WM, Secretary and Treasurer of St Nicholas Lodge No 1676 as well as one in the Library of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland.