The Galashiels Lodge No.262

14/05/2024

Many congratulations to Lodge Kelso and Tweed 58 for winning the bowling competition. It was a great day particularly enjoyed by the Gala 262 brethren.

12/05/2024

I think I've put an events calendar onto the 262 page. On the left of the facebook screen should be a list including 'Events'. Click on that an two events should appear 'Amalgamation' and 'Haughfoot'. Can you send feedback to confirm this is working, please.

11/05/2024

Sorry, Ercildoune.

11/05/2024

Good morning, Brethren. Are there any features you would like to see on this site?

08/05/2024

Still linked to WhatsApp but don't need to add media.

07/05/2024

I'm gradually trying to optimise the 262 page for members' use. Feel free to post anything to kick start regular communications.

07/05/2024

Playing around with coloured boxes. No idea why but it looks pretty.

05/05/2024

I'm going through a Facebook tutorial so strange things may appear. Again, please ignore it all unless I ask for a reply. Please acknowledge if you receive this; I don't know yet if anyone can read the posts or who.

04/05/2024

The RWM has asked me to review this page which hasn't been used since before Covid lockdown. Feel free to comment, advise and provide feedback; neg*tive or otherwise.
Alex.

28/01/2023

14/10/2022

Just over half the brethren have paid their annual dues for this year. Please pay if you haven't already done so; in a few weeks the Grand Lodge of Scotland will send me a large bill to pay on your behalf. Please remember that if you don't pay your fees, I still have to pay Grand Lodge £33 for each member whether they pay 262 or not.

18/09/2022

The RWM Paul Capaldi will lead a deputation from Gala 262 to Kelso on Wednesday. I have been asked to give my talk on 'The Saga of the Emblems of Mortality' which is what happened to our Emblems after the fire in the British Legion where we were having our meetings post-lockdown; oh the agony and the ecstacy!

17/08/2022

Just sent in the final draft of 'The Saga of the Emblems of Mortality' and some photographs to Grand Lodge for the 2023 Year Book. The final draft may be finished but the Saga isn't.

09/08/2022

Soon be starting the new Masonic Year. We always begin on the second Monday of September. We'll be doing a second degree for the Provincial Visit. Visitors welcome at 7.30; members' business at 7.00. We're working hard to replace as much furniture etc as possible following the fire in the British Legion where we held our meetings post-lockdown. For all intents and purposes everything went to the recycling centre.
Our Emblems of Mortality were legally and respectfully disposed of, thanks to the staff at the local crematorium (referred to as 'the creamery' by our Bro. Secretary). However, Bro. Sec and I left a huge bagful of biscuits, chocs and cakes for the crem staff to say thank you for their support on behalf of the Brethren. Apparently the sweet stuff is going down very well with numerous cups of tea.

I

02/08/2022

Or this?

02/08/2022

Anyone identify this?

02/08/2022

Does anybody recognise the apron?

23/06/2022

Next Wednesday at 10.00 -10-30 in the Crematorium at Melrose there will a rather unique funeral. It will be for our Emblems of Mortality which were damaged in the fire at the British Legion in Galashiels. The journey to this point has involved many people and organisations all of whom deserve our grateful thanks.
New Emblems have been ordered - in plastic. Gala brethren in Lodge ties please. Please note that there is no catering following the ceremony. The Emblems have been named Alexander Weir after Robert Weir, our first master in 1816 and his son-in-law, Alexander Tweedie who resurrected the Galashiels Lodge in the mid 19th Century.

Alex.

Alex. Fotheringham PM

16/06/2022

Does anyone know what this symbol on a bible ribbon means? I don't even know if it's massonic. Alex.

31/05/2022

Happy to report that Master Elect Paul Capaldi and his team conducted a fine Ceremony of Initiation last night. As a Past Master it was so pleasing to see that the future of the lodge is in good hands.

23/05/2022

For those of you interested in our Installation on the 11th June, the start time is 2.00 not 4.00 as in some earlier messages.

18/05/2022

There is a first degree at Peebles 24 on Wed 25th May at 7.30. Live candidate. A bit of harmony after.

13/05/2022

Bit of a sad day. Three past masters met today at the container which held all the lodge furniture and fabric items following the fire at the British Legion where we were holding our meetings after lockdown. With us was one of our members who is a joiner. Based on his recommendation we threw just about everything into the skip. Decades of history gone. Now we have to rebuild but most of this is already in hand. What we are looking for now is a complete set of gavels and working tools. We have possible access to sets from other lodges and I'm waiting to hear back from Grand lodge to see if they can help. Look to the future, Brethren and not back to what has happened. Thanks to everybody for the suppoprt.

01/05/2022

The new lodge carpet has arrived so I'll take it to the lodge later today. There was a delay because VAT and duty had to be paid for. Funny that none of this is mentioned when you order.

27/04/2022

I'm pleased to report that, at long last, the Installation will be on Saturday 11th June at 2.00 in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels. Before that we have a Mark Degree. Need to check the date but details will follow on this page.

19/04/2022

New carpet ordered; organising new cushions and other fabrics this week; furniture being cleaned and should be finished by Friday. We're not too far from getting back to normal. Yet to be confirmed but our Installation in the Volunteer Hall should be on Saturday 11th June at 2.00pm which is earlier than normal. Keep watching for updates.

12/04/2022

New lodge carpet on its way; new cushions to be made after Easter. Progress.

11/04/2022

Our lodge carpet and cushions need to be replaced following the fire at the British Legion - too much fire and water damage so we now have to wait until the lodge furniture is inspected tomorrow. It could be that everything has to be replaced; sad but unavoidable.

28/03/2022

No movement as yet with our furniture in the British Legion following the fire last week but Bro. Alex Stark has offered the services of his van to collect all our bits and pieces from the legion when we can. Thanks, Alex.

24/03/2022

Gradually making progress following the fire at the British Legion in Galashiels where we've been having our meetings during Covid (social distancing). Waiting for access so we can take photographs of the lodge furniture for the insurers. Sad times but we just have to get on with it.