Stewarton Initiatives looks ahead to 2021 ...
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Local Masonic Lodge Celebrates its 250th Anniversary
Stewarton Initiatives is looking ahead in 2021 to another year of
supporting the community through funding and projects .
Alongside other community organisations and East Ayrshire Council , we have been helping support vulnerable residents during the covid-19 pandemic .
We have been involved providing funding for fresh food , a new freezer to store meals , and expenses to hard-working volunteers who have been out every day delivering food , prescriptions and generally supporting residents .
The Freemasons Lodge of Stewarton was Constituted by a Charter from The Grand Lodge of Scotland on 28th May , 1771 and would have enjoyed hosting a large celebration in May this year if the present Covid-19 pandemic wasn ’ t around . However , it is the intention to have the celebration as soon as possible even if it is not until 2022 . Although the records retained in Stewarton are extant only from 1918 it is known from the Headquarters in Edinburgh that it has never been in abeyance at any time during those 250 years . Today it is known by the style and title of Lodge Thistle No . 127 but it has had several different styles of name and number over the years .
Looking ahead to 2021 , we are excited to resume work on the renovation of the Stewarton cross area , with a community asset transfer of the site hopefully complete in the coming months .
This will allow our group of volunteers to get started on transforming the area into a place residents can enjoy and be proud of .
Exciting plans for the cross include more greenery , increased lighting , a new noticeboard , and a multi-purpose community hub which can be utilised by all organisations in the town .
We have already been successful in our funding application to East Ayrshire Council for summer hanging baskets , and we look forward to putting these in place to brighten up the town later this year .
The group is also looking to run a number of events this year , restrictions permitting , that will help to bring the community back together and make up for the missed opportunities from 2020 .
Stewarton Initiatives has had a successful start to our community lottery , which aims to provide another source of vital funding for local organisations , and Stewarton Initiatives projects .
We have had a fantastic uptake of the lottery so far and we look forward to handing out our first round of grants to local groups and organisations this month .
A massive 50 per cent of the monthly pot goes back into the community , while the other half goes to a random player each month , with Rhona Easter and Billy Reid our first two lucky winners of the year .
The Seal of the Lodge , which would be used to endorse any formal documents issued in its early days , designates the Lodge as – The Thistle Lodge No . 166 . A silk painted banner has pride of place in the Lodge archives as it is known to have been carried on the day the Memorial Stone was Laid in the Lainshaw Viaduct in 1868 . There is a very old gravestone in the Kirkyard of St Columba ’ s Church which bears numeorus masonic symbols . The brethren have met in several places within the town . Their own Hall in New Street 1782-1824 ; moving to larger property built by themselves in Avenue Street 1824- 1884 ; the Railway Hotel from 1884-1903 ; the Lesser Institute Hall 1903-1934 ; the old Fever Hospital 1934-1951 ; the Drill Hall 1951- 1961 ; the upper room of St Columba ’ s Church Hall 1961-1964 ; and the current premises in Springwell Place from 1964 .
Many well-known names of Stewarton families have been involved with Freemasonry over these past 250 years none more so than our present Master , Ian Hamilton . His late father Jackie Hamilton was Master in 1959-1961 . Both Ian and his father have also served as President of Stewarton Bonnet Guild . The photograph is of Past Master Alexander Boyle who was Master 1875 / 1876 . Charity has always been one of the main principles of the organisation and Lodge Thistle has , over the years , contributed to many local and national Charities . To mark the 250th Anniversary it is the intention to donate to local worthy causes in keeping with that tradition . Here ’ s to the next 250 years .
Find out more information on the lottery and what Stewarton Initiatives do at www . stewartoninitiatives . com , and anyone wishing to get involved with the group can contact us on Facebook or email lottery @ stewartoninitiatives . com