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IN THE BEGINNINGLodge Thistle came into being in the year 1771 as a result of several brethren "at great distance from their several Mother Lodges" who had petitioned the Grand Lodge of Scotland craving a Charter to constitute a Lodge in Stewarton.The petitioners, or Founder Members, were:- Francis Wark of Auld Toun Andrew Brown John Barclay Thomas Simson Alexander Brown James Howie Robert Gilliss James GemmiII Robert Kerr William Wylie of Buiston Head and Andrew Brown. The Charter was duly granted by The Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Brother Lt. Col. James Adolphus Oughton on the 20th of May, 1771; written by Alexander MacDougall, Grand Secretary on the 28th of May, and recorded in the books of Grand Lodge on the 6th of June, 1771, by David Bolt, Grand Clerk. The Lodge was to be known by the "Stile and Title of The Thistle Lodge of Stewartoun" and recorded as Number 167. It is interesting to note that the actual number recorded on the Charter is No.166, which was the original number of Lodge St. Andrew Kilmarnock now known as No.126. It is only natural to conclude that the Grand Secretary made the mistake when writing up both Charters on the same day. Still on the Numbers of the Lodge; Grand Lodge has from time to time renumbered all its Lodges removing from the Roll those Lodges which had been declared Dormant. In 1771 it was No.167; in 1816 it was No.125; in 1822 it was No.126; and since 1826 it has remained as No.127. The colours of the Lodge regalia have been, since 1848, Green and Gold. At present the Lodge Meetings are held on the First and Third Tuesday of the Month, but they have been held on every other night of the week at some time or another. The Annual Installation is now held on the Friday evening before Christmas, excepting that day be Christmas Eve when it shall be the Friday previous. For many years gone-by it was the custom of the Lodge to hold their Annual Installation and Celebration of the Festival of St. John on the 27th of December (St. John's Day). Our sister Lodge in Beith still retains this custom and is, to my knowledge, the only Lodge in Ayrshire to do so. The first Office-Bearers of the Lodge were:- Andrew Brown Right Worshipful Master Thomas Simson Deputy Master Willian Wylie Senior Warden Francis Wark Junior Warden James Howie Treasurer John Barclay Secretary John Miller Tyler Their Petition to Grand Lodge stating that they were "Brethren who wished to Promote the Honour and Interest of Masonry in and about the Town of Stewartoun." It is interesting to note that the Brother appointed as Tyler is not recorded as being a Founder Member. As far as I can discover from my researches, The Lodge has been in continual existence since its Institution in 1771. Albeit that there were times when activities were very few, sometimes the only Meeting taking place was the Annual Meeting and Installation. According to the records of Grand Lodge for 1880, Lodge Thistle No.127 was five or more years in arrears with its Dues to Grand Lodge and as a result was almost struck from the Roll. (The fact that they continued to meet, leads us to believe that the arrears were paid soon after the information was disclosed.) | MORE HISTORICAL NOTES
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