Lodge Coila St Andrew 1334

The Lodge has been very fortunate during it’s fifty years’ existence to have a distinguished line of Secretaries who have taken a complete record of the various transactions, by way of factual accounts in the meetings. These minutes have been faithfully recorded and carefully preserved. The secretaries have enhanced the value of there labours by subscribing sympathetic and encouraging comments to the events record. We would therefore be guilty of unpardonable injustice as well as lacking in gratitude if we did not name our past secretaries, who are the real historians of Lodge Coila St Andrew 1334.

Lodge Coila St Andrew No 1334 was born into Masonic Light on 25^th February 1925. This period has been rightly regarded as the darkest in British history. Britain in common with the rest of the civilised world was struggling to recover from the effects of the Great War, 1914-1918, a conflict in which millions of human beings paid the supreme sacrificed. The economic situation at home and abroad was grave. Unemployment figures reached astronomical proportions, resulting in industrial strife, poverty and hardship. We were only a year away from the crippling General Strike of 1926

It was in these impoverished circumstances and trying conditions that several Masonic Brethern saw the need for a Masonic Lodge in the Parish of Coylton. Whether their intention was motivated by the fact that no other Lodge operated within a six mile radius of the village, causing transport difficulties, or the belief that the great lesson contained in our Masonic Creed were the only answers to the problem which vexed their morose and troubled world, we can only guess. However, it would appear that the latter is the case, because on the first page of the minute book, we read the following word.:-

‘’We believe that Freemasonry is an inspiration to fined and nobler living.; that it unites men in Brotherly Love; that it has brought help, kindness and cheer into many homes stricken by bereavement and sorrow and that it has led to kind acts, which in their magnitude and multitude are known only to the Great Architect of the universe, the great Father of us all we also believe that Freemasonry is a organisation of men whose motives and beliefs are in accordance with the finest ethics of the Volume of the Sacred Law, which to us is the Great Light in Freemasonry. We believe in the existence of one ever-loving and true God and in the beneficient Power of Religion. We believe this because Freemasonry excludes bigotry, hate and rancour; that it cements together men of widely differing opinions and that it presents a fine example of democracy at its best, combining as it does personal freedom with submission to recognised authority.;

We can entertain no doubt that these sentiments prompted our Founder Members after their deliberations to submit a petition for the purpose of Practising Freemasonry as a recognised by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Thus the seed was sown which was soon to blossom forth as Lodge Coila St Andrew 1334. Our two sponsors Lodge were Tarbolton ( Killwinning) St James No 135, and Ayr St Paul, No, 204. It is pleasing to note that the bond of friendship which then has increased in strength with the passing years.

The original Charter was granted on 25^th February 1925. This Charter, Suitably framed and inscribed with the name of every Founder Member. Now occupies a place of Honour at the front of the Right Worshipful Master’s dias when the lodge is in labour. Another Lodge relic preserved from this period is the original emblem of authority, which was fashioned in wood taken from the ‘Trysting Thorn’ mentioned by Robert Burns in The Soldier’s Return..

On 2^nd May, 1925 the inaugural ceremony was held in the Claude Hamilton Memorial Hall, Coylton. It was attended by over two Hundred brethren representing thirty-two lodges from the following provinces—Ayrshire, Fife, East Lothian, and Berwickshire, Glasgow Perthshire

Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Renfrewshire, East- Kincardineshire,. Orkney and Zetland.

The consecration ceremony was conducted by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , Brother The reverend J.C.Higgins of Tarbolton. After he had addressed the assembled Brethern, our first Right Worshipful Master . Brother Allan Osborne Martin, and his subordinate office-bearers were installed into there respective office by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Brother James Arthur of Montgomerie. Thus the Lodge Coila St Andrew No 1334 came into being and during the past fifty years it has been our endeavour to let out loght to shine among men within and outwith the realms of Masonry.

Our founder Members were imbued with this sprit as it is our good fortune to follow the path they have blazed for us.

According to our minute Book, the early, formative years could perhaps be described as the lean years, Collection averaged three shillings, a ticket for the installation harmony cost one shilling and eight pence, which we read was later increased to two shilling and three pence to include two refreshments. The greatest illustration, however, of the hard times prevailed is contained in the recorded fact that, in the year 1937-38, only three initiates were admitted and our general fund had reached an all time low of two pounds and fourpence. It cannot be denied that while at this time we were a poor lodge by any monetary standards, in direct and happy contrast we were rich in Brethren of character and purpose. These Brethren carried out the more important aspects of Freemasonry, by building a reputation for the high standard of our Masonic ceremonial and answered fully there obligations as freemasons by contributing liberally to many charitable organisations.

On 3^rd September, 1939 Britain was again at war. This conflict was to last six years and over thirty of our members were to answer the call to arms. This is a surprisingly high proportion of Brethern from a small country lodge of comparatively recent origin.

The minuets relating to this period make interesting and sometimes sad reading. We read that three of our Brethern paid the supreme sacrifice. Two others were taken Prisoners of War, one being interned in Germany and one in the far East. It was with great pleasure and pride that we learned of yet another Brother, serving in the Royal Air Force, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Gallantry. On the lighter side, we read of apologies being made of a Brethern because of Home Guard duties. This organisation, of course, is now affectionately known as Dads Army, Another pleasing feature of this period is that of Office-Bearers andBrethern quickly set up a Parcel Fund so that a parcel or Postal order was dispatched regularly to serving Brethern.

It is apparent that these war years brought with them a upsurge in Freemasonary. Initiates were being admitted in unprecedented numbers, reaching a peak in year 1942-1943 when forty- five entrants were recorded. These increasing numbers brought with them increased prosperity. We discovered that our General Fund which at the outset of war amounted to seven pounds, seventeen shillings and five pence, had increased to two hundred and sixteen pounds, seventeen shillings and two pence at the cessation of hostilities.

The restoration of peace meant the return of serving Brethern, We turned to the future with hope and vigour. It had long been our ambition to have our own premises and in order to implement this a building committee was formed whose prime concern was to raise funds for our building project. To achieve this object whist drives, coach tours, dances and other money-raising schemes were soon put into operation by the newly-formed committee, who were ably assisted by the wives of the lodge members.

Through the years, Lodge Coila St. Andrew 1334 has been particularly fortunate in the fact that in each successive generation the wives of our members have given freely of their time and labour to ensure the success of all our social functions. To them, we owe a deep dept of gratitude and it is right and proper that as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee Year we openly acknowledge this debt. Our present sound financial position and our renowned reputation for Hospitality extended is due in great measure to the work carried out by our Ladies.

We were able to purchase part of a property in Joppa known as Dick’s Building, in 1954. This property consisted of several old dwelling houses. It was soon evident that an early entry into our newest acquisition would not be possible, lack of funds prevented us from carrying out extensive renovations necessary to render our premises suitable for Masonic purposes. Progress was further retarded by the untimely Death of the Brother who had successfully negotiated the purchase of the property on behalf of the Lodge, namely P.M Bro. Gavin Thomson, who had been the driving force and inspiration if the building committee since its inception. His death had a two fold-effect on the Brethern It not only saddened their hearts, but filled them with a burning desire to continue the good work already started. A new building committee was formed and soon they were engaged organising bingo sessions every Friday evenings. This new venture proved so popular that in less than two years we had accumulated enough money from the proceeds to renovate, decorate and completely furnish our new Temple.

The last general meeting of the Lodge to be held in the Claude Hamilton Memorial Hall was convened on Monday 19^th September 1959. This had been our home in Masonic sense for thirty-five years. It was appropriate that the last word on this historic occasion should be spoken by one of our several founder members present, Bro. David Hodge. In a mood of sentimentality he took a nostalgic look at our present achievements. Hr remembered with gratitude the many pleasant evenings shared by the Brethern within the precincts of Claud Hamilton Memorial Hall and expressed the hope that the spirit of friendship which prevails in the past would be maintained within our new surroundings in Joppa.

In Retrospect and in fairness to those Brethern who have served the Lodge faithfully since then, it cannot be confuted that the hopes expressed by Brother Hodge have been more fully realised as subsequent events have proved.

The new Temple Lodge furniture and ornaments we dedicated to the Glory of God and the craft by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother T. Muir Wilson, and his Provincial Grand Lodge Office- Bearers on 24^th September 1959.

Immediately following this dedication service our first act was to organise a Christmas Party for the old folk of Coylton. This event was meant to serve not only as a token of goodwill towards the community, but as a expression of our appreciation and gratitude to those people who had contributed to any successes we may have had by supporting our social ventures. This party proved so successful and rewarding that it is now become an annual feature of the village life and is regarded by many as the social highlight of the year.

We entered the sixties with renewed vigour and enthusiasm determined to further the progress of our Lodge, which had accomplished so much in a short space of time. We can entertain no doubt that we were successful in this respect, because the decade of the sixties is hitherto the most profitable period of our history with the peak years being in the 1968-69.

O the 28^th May 1968, two of our most worth Brethern Past Master Brother James Mathison and Past Master William Davidson, were presented with the distinguished service diplomas, an honour which they thoroughly merited.

In September of this same year it was agreed by the Brethern to submit an offer for the remainder of the Dick’s Building which had come up for sale. This offer was accepted. The Brethern immediately commenced with the formidable task of converting this latest acquisition into a Social Club/ Less than a year later, thanks to the voluntary labour, the work was completed and our social club, which has since proved a thriving concern and a valuable asset to the lodge, came into being.

We read, in the minuets of 29^th April 1969, of the death of Brother William Watters, Willie for twenty-three consecutive years had discharged the very important duty of Lodge Chaplain with credit and distinction. Let it be further added with no though of personal glory. Perhaps the greatest tribute that can be paid to Willie is to say that today he is numbered among the select band of Brethern who have maintained and hand down the high principles and ideas of our order from generation to generation leaving behind no memorial save that of a world made by their lives. Willie was laid to rest on the morning of Saturday 29^th April 1969, with full Masonic Honours. Despite the incessant torrential rain which fell, almost four Hundred Brethern from all over Scotland attended his interment to pay their last respects. A living testimony of the esteem with which he was regarded.

In October, 1970, our secretary Past Master Robert Sutherland, achieved the unique distinction of being the first initiate member of the Lodge Coila to be elected to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire. The Brethern of the Lodge derived much pleasure from this happy and proud precedent, knowing that his mother Lodge, the Provincial Grand Lodge must benefit from his forthright manner, love and enthusiasm of the craft.

Today as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee Lodge Coila St. Andrew is known and recognised as a progressive, well regulated and respected Lodge wherever its bounds have reached. This situation is due to the labours of love and devoted and worthy Brethern constantly referred to in this short, retrospective look at our achievements over the last Fifty Years.

In compiling this retrospect it is regretted that we have been unable to single out every individual who contributed to our Lodge success. This would have been an impossible task. We may console ourselves with this thought that personal glory was the last thing on these many worthy Brethern solicited or desire.

This end chapter of our history and we look instinctively to the future. We do so on anticipation of greater things, confident that we are endowed with Brethern who will meet the challenge of the future. We do so in anticipation of greater things , confident that we are endowed with Brethern who will meet the challenge of perpetuating those fine traditions created by our illustrious forebears.

In conclusion, let us supplicate the continuance of God’s Blessing on our Lodge in the words of Scotland Bard, Brother Robert Burns, words which could assume a special significance to us at this time, If we adopt and apply the word ‘Auld Coila’ to Lodge St Andrew No1334.