WED 2nd SEPTEMBER: NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• New photos have been added to the 'Photos from the Past' page in the 'History' section of the website. These images detail photographs that used to hang on the wall in the Master's Room prior to the fire and show the Ceremonial laying of the Foundation Stone of the Lodge in 1896. Thanks again to Bro. C. Coward PM for another fine contribution to the site.
  

TUE 28th JULY: LODGE OPEN EVENING

•  

   An Open Evening will be held on Mon 3rd August at John Street, Gourock to allow everyone to see the wonderful new facility that we have. A very warm welcome is extended to all members, wives, girlfriends, families, friends and members of other Lodges to come along, even for just a few minutes, to see the new Lodge. The doors will be open from 7:30pm - 9:30pm, the bar will be open and light refreshments served. It is hoped that as many as possible will be present to see the result of months of fundraising, hard work and dedication on our behalf and raise a glass to toast the start of a new era in the history of Lodge Firth of Clyde No. 626. - See you there!

MON 27th JULY: NEWS UPDATE & NEW PHOTOS

• I am pleased to advise that all major work within the new halls has now been completed, with the exception of some minor decorations still outstanding. The gas supply to the building has yet to be reconnected which will hopefully be done by  mid August, leaving us with no heating until then. New seating, tables and bar/kitchen furnishings are on order awaiting delivery. Restoration work has also been undertaken on the Master's Chair, dias and Warden's Chairs. The remainder of the Lodge furnishings will be moved from the YAC Clubhouse back 'home' to John Street this week. It is hoped that an 'Open Night' for members, friends, families and neighbours will be held on Mon 3rd Aug (to be confirmed). Please see the 'Gallery' page for new photos of the stage and bar area in the Main Hall.

WED 1st JULY: NEWS UPDATES

• As intimated below, the Lodge will be visiting Lodge Prince of Wales, Renfrew No. 426 on Tue 11th August 2009 to confer a Fellowcraft Degree. Bro. N. Stetz is organising a bus for those who wish to attend and support the Lodge and the RWM on the night. If anyone is interested in going could they please e-mail Bro. N. Stetz at the following address: rstetz@ntlworld.com to allow him to gauge numbers and book the bus.

 MON 1st JUNE: NEWS UPDATES

•  The Lodge has been invited to confer a Fellowcraft degree at Lodge Prince of Wales Renfrew No. 426 on Tue 11th August 2009. The RWM would delighted to have the support of as many brethren as possible on this occasion and as such a bus will be laid on for those who wish to attend. Please contact any of the Office Bearers for further details.
• 
  
• Restoration and building work at the John St. Temple is now nearing completion with the wiring, plumbing and fit-out almost finished. It is hoped that the handover will take place by August, in time for the start of the new session in September.
• The Syllabus for the 2009/10 session has now been drafted and published
• 
  
• on the 'Meetings' page
  
• The AGM & nomination & election of Office Bearers will take place on Mon 28th September. There will also be a number of very important decisions to be made with regard the building and financing of the Lodge. With that in mind, it is requested that all members of the Lodge attend and show their support.
  
• A special service of Rededication & Thanksgiving will be held at the Temple on Mon 12th October 2009, carried out by the Provincial Grand Chaplain Bro. Reverend David Mitchell and the other members of Provincial Grand Lodge. It is hoped that the new halls will be at full capacity on the night.

THU 23rd APRIL: NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• New photos have been added to the 'Photos From the Past' page, showing Brethren serving up some Lodge Hospitality circa 1960. Thanks once again to Bro. Cornelius Coward PM for another great submission.
  

FRI 20th FEBRUARY: NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• New photos detailing the internal & roof reconstruction work at the Temple have now been added to the 'Gallery' page. Thanks to Bro. Cornelius Coward PM for his continued contribution.

THU 15th JANUARY:   NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• Another photo from the Lodge Burns Supper in 1962 has been added to the 'Photos From the Past' page, along with an image of a Programme cover from the 1973 Burns Supper. Thanks once again to Bro. Cornelius Coward PM for his contribution to the site.

TUE 6th JANUARY:   WEBSITE 1 YEAR OLD!

• The Lodge website has now celebrated it's 1st birthday on New Year's day, and what better time to reflect on the events of the past 12 months... The website itself has grown since it first went 'live' last January, with the addition of some fantastic photographs of the Lodge from yesteryear. The site has not only been a useful information point for active members, but has also seen numerous visits from those unable to attend. Our Guestbook has filled steadily over the past 12 months with comments from Brethren around the World and we have had just under 2500 'hits', which in itself is a nice milestone for our first year online. Thankyou to everyone who has contributed to the content and success of the website, please keep your additions coming as they are most welcome. Here's to another great year ahead in 2009!

MON 5th JANUARY:   SYLLABUS UPDATED & BURNS SUPPER

• The syllabus for the remainder of the session has now been updated on the 'Meetings' page, along with details of the Past Masters presiding over each meeting in the absence of our RWM. All at Lodge 626 wish him a speedy recovery following his recent illness and look forward to seeing him back in the Master's Chair in due course.
• The Annual Burns Supper will take place on Monday 19th January at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced at £8.00 and can be purchased from any Office Bearer. Entertainment on the night will be provided by a team from our friends at Lodge Prince of Wales Renfrew No 426.
• A new photo of a past Burns Supper at Lodge 626 has been added to the 'Photos From the Past' page under the 'History' section. Thanks once again to Bro. Archie Glass PM for another great contribution to the website.

TUE 2nd DECEMBER:   OFFICE-BEARERS PAGE UPDATED

• The 'Office-Bearers' page has now been updated with the names of the newly-installed Office-Bearers for Session 2008-09.

THU 30th OCTOBER:   SYLLABUS UPDATED & PHOTOS ADDED

• The syllabus for the remainder of Session 2008-09 has now been updated in the 'Meetings' section.
• New photos of the Lodge re-building work getting underway have been added to the 'Gallery' page. Thanks to Bro. Cornelius Coward PM for sending these in.

TUE 23rd SEPTEMBER:   NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• The 'History' page now has a sub-category for 'Photos From the Past'. This includes Bro. Archie Glass PM's photos as well as a contribution from Bro. Cornelius Coward PM who has also kindly sent in some images - great moments in time captured on camera.

THU 28th AUGUST:   PAST MASTERS PAGE UPDATED

• The 'Past Masters' page has now been updated with a comprehensive list of all former RWMs of the Lodge.

              Thanks to Bro. Jim Livingstone PM for providing the details for inclusion.

SAT 23rd AUGUST:   NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• The 'History' page has now been updated with photos from the Lodge in 1960. These have been kindly supplied by Bro. Archie Glass PM.

              If you have any material you feel would be suitable for inclusion please let us know!

MON 16th JUNE:   ORR MASONIC BOWLING TROPHY WINNERS!

• Congratulations to the rink from Lodge 626 who won the Orr Masonic Bowling Trophy in a hard fought contest at the Grosvenor Bowling Club on Saturday the 14^th June.  The winning rink, with skip Past Master Brother Stewart McLure, supported by Brothers Tom Downie, Norrie Henderson and Peter Jack, just edged out Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII 

            Full story will appear on the Provincial Website at: http://www.pglrw.org/

            Well done Brethren!

MON 9th JUNE:   TEMPLE UPDATE

• GOOD NEWS!

If you have passed the Lodge recently, you will be aware of the work which has been taking place to clear the site of debris following the fire. This has enabled a full inspection to take place and it is now accepted that the fire has caused major damage to the walls separating the main hall from the front and rear sections. At first this sounds like more bad news but in fact, it is working out very much in our favour. It means that rather than having to reinstate the building in its old format, an opportunity now exists to reshape the Lodge to provide a Temple more suitable to modern day requirements.

Following a number of recent meetings with the various parties concerned, a round-table meeting took place with all parties on Wed 4th June attended by the Right Worshipful Master and Secretary. It is now agreed to proceed with the work to reinstate the building but with the facilities, which were previously located at the rear of the building, moved to the front, including the bar, lounge, kitchen and Master's room.

Subject to final approval by our loss adjustor, it is hoped that the work will commence within 6 weeks and once started, should take around 10 - 14 weeks with a target completion date around the end of October.

A more detailed bulletin will be issued to all members with e-mail access shortly.

Bro. J P Livingstone (PM) - Acting Secretary

SAT 17th MAY:   TEMPLE UPDATE + GARDEN PARTY

• I am pleased to announce that following lengthy discussions between the insurers, work has now started on clearing the site at John Street. This will pave the way for reconstruction work to commence, hopefully in the very near future. This progress is down to great efforts behind-the-scenes by the RWM and his office bearers, to which we are most grateful.

• The Lodge will be taking part in the Gourock Garden Party within the walled gardens of Darroch Park on Sunday 15th June. We will be providing a BBQ full of the usual culinary delights, and any support would be appreciated. Maybe you could don the 'apron' for half an hour, or alternatively just come along and buy a burger! We hope to see you there!

TUE 25th MAR:   NEW PHOTOS ADDED

• New photos of the Lodge have been added to the Gallery page. Hopefully the barriers will be removed soon and we will be able to see the Temple in its usual splendour once the restoration work has been completed.

TUE 18th MAR:   WEBSITE APPEAL

• I would like to appeal to all Brethren to have a think of what they would like to see on the Lodge website. If there are any suggestions for improvements or additions to the site, please let me know. Likewise, If you have any old photos of the Lodge, articles or any other points of interest you feel would enhance the site, please get in touch using the Contact Form.

            - It is your website Brethren so get the thinking caps on!

TUE 12th FEB:   FIRE AT JOHN ST TEMPLE

•  See following link for a statement by Bro. Secretary Jim Livingstone:  Inverclyde Now

               - Images of the blaze can be found in the 'Gallery' page.

MON 28th JAN:   STAMP APPEAL

• Bro. Bill Cumlish is collecting used postage stamps in aid of Ardgowan Hospice. Please spare a moment of your time to remove any stamps from your mail, leaving a 0.25" border and pass them onto Bro. Bill when you can. This is a most worthy local cause & I am sure many of us know of someone who has benefited from their care at some time.