Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East
Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East
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1566 Erskine Home Special Meeting
1566 Erskine Home Special Meeting
On Wednesday 17th September 2025, The Lodge of Erskine No. 1566 held their Special Erskine Home Meeting at the Erskine Home Recreation Room.
The meeting was opened by the RWM Bro. Colin Young who then welcomed all the brethren and received a deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East, headed by the SPGM Bro. Gavin Burt.
The meeting was then closed and the Master of Ceremonies, PM Bro. Dr Iain McPhee of 1566 then took over and explained a little bit of the background and the purpose of the meeting – which is to raise funds specifically for the residents who use the Recreation Room. Since the first meeting in 2006, the monies raised has been used to buy equipment, fund outings and special evens for the residents and users of the Recreation Room.
The idea to hold meetings at the Erskine Home was created during discussions in 2005 with PM Bro. Dr Iain and the late George Sharp – an ex-soldier who served in the Scottish Rifles Regiment (Cameronians). Bro. George was the Almoner of Dumbarton Kilwinning No. 18 and a Fundraiser for the home.
In the early days of 1566, the lodge would invite residents of the home who were in the craft to attend the lodge at 1566 but Bro’s. George and Iain’s idea of taking the meeting into the Recreation Room at Erskine Home was then discussed and planned and the first Erskine Homes meeting took place in 2006.
PM Bro. Dr Iain then introduced Bro. David Black, a PM of Lodge Houston St Johnstone No. 242 who gave an interesting talk on SSAFA (Soldiers and Sailors Families Association), the Great War and Local Freemasonry – which was very well received.
Following David’s talk, Dr Iain fielded questions from the assembled brethren and thereafter brought the evening to a close with applause from all for a very successful evening all round and to allow for some harmony. Our sincere thanks to Erskine Home for laying on a nice purvey of food and drinks for the event.
We were honoured to be joined by Erskine Home Resident Bro James Bowes, a PM of Lodge Lord Bruce 1601 and a cheque for £750 was presented to Bro James who was delighted to receive this on behalf of the Home and assured everyone that it would be put to very good use for the Recreation Room residents. Picture on the right is PM Bro. James Bowes receiving the cheque from SPGM Bro. Gavin Burt of Renfrewshire East PGL.
We are very grateful to our guest speaker Bro. David Black and to everyone who came along (or donated) for their support to this very worthy cause. The evening raised a fantastic £750 for The Erskine Home Recreation Facility.
RWM Bro. Colin Young Bro. David with a gift from the lodge as well as a cheque for £100 from 1566 as a donation to his fundraising campaign at SSAFA.
Master of Ceremonies PM Bro. Dr Iain McPhee with Bro. James Bowes, Bro. Colin Young RWM and Craig Berry, Activities Coordinator at Erskine Home Recreation Facility.
Next year will be the 20th Anniversary of The Erskine Home Special Meeting at the Home and further details will be available in the coming months. This is due to be held on Wednesday 16th September 2026.
Info by R. McPhee PM 1566
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