2022 Watson Salver

Ftrs. Our annual golf competition finally managed to take place after a 2 year forced interruption due to Covid. Restrictions. Once again we were down at Prestwick St. Cuthbert's golf club and thanks must go to Tom Dunlop for once again negotiating a great deal for us to play our 18 hole competition on this his home club which for a private club was really very good.

Fourteen guys took part. Tom himself was unfit to play and we also had a couple of call offs on the day. Because of the call offs Tom and John Irvine who together were organising the groups had to change the format from four 4 balls to 2 fours and 2 threes. Photos were taken of each of the groups and we all got under way hoping that the weather would be kind to us ,and it was with only one very brief 5 min spell of "smirry" early in our round. The stiff breeze continued throughout the day making some of the holes pretty challenging to say the least, but going by the various comments at the end, everybody enjoyed themselves and the company they were in. Which is what the day was all about.

The course was in quite excellent condition, fairways just right, semi rough fair, unless you were way off then you got punished. The greens were superb and true, sometimes hard to read but that's what golf's about.Thanks must go to the members of St. Cuthbert's, firstly for the manner in which we were treated on arrival and throughout the day and for signing us on as guests. Following our meal which was enjoyed by all , Tom and John proceeded to the prize giving and thanks must go to the ftrs who provided some great raffle prizes and Tom and John for arranging the others.

Before the presentations were made special mention was made in respect of Douglas Hollingsworth on his many years of being involved in the fund raising etc. and his ongoing health problems. All expressed their appreciation and extended their sincere best wishes.

The 2019 winner Rt. Em Ftr Eddie Lawless was unable to retain the trophy . Relinquishing it to Ven Ftr. John Irvine with a fine score in trying golfing conditions. DGP Eddie presented him with the Watson Salver and bottle of Grouse congratulating him on his winning the trophy.

Tom and the DGP both then thanked all the men who supported the event including the Brother who was not a member of the order but came to add his support . The DGP then thanked Tom and John for their hard work and congratulated them on their efforts. Finally announcing that the raffle raised £75 on the day for the DGP charity fund. Intimating that hopefully next year God willing we will be back to the 20 players.

Sunday 12th June Annual Divine Service

Dear Ftrs

Our Annual Devine Service was finally able to take place after a Covid enforced restrictions period of 3 years. The service was once again held in The New Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock. It was an excellent day and I am quite sure that like myself all who attended thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The attendance and support was marvellous in the the present circumstances. So as it turned out my concerns regarding this thankfully proved to be unnecessary. There were just over 30 in the parade to the church with a further 6 ftrs joining the parade at the church 3 other ftrs. remained at the hall to set up and to serve the refreshments after the service.

 Distinguished guests who attended included, the Present and immediate Past Provincial Grand Superintendents of the Royal Arch in Ayrshire James E. Bell and David Ramsey and 3 distinguished sisters from The Eastern Star in Margaret Mckenzie, Liz Dobbie and Janice Poulter. Also supporting us  were  the DGP of D & G  Danny MacMeekin ,V.EM. Ftr. Stuart McVitae. and Bob Alexander DGP of S.E. Scotland .

Past DGP's of Ayrshire present were  Sam Dickson, John Turner and in a dual  Role as both a past DGP of Ayrshire and on this occasion as the representative of Great Priory was The Most Em Ftr. James Hodge GCT, apologies having been tendered on behalf of the Most Em. and Rev. Grand Master Joseph Stewart Wood.
I must  comment that Em. Ftr. Stuart Hamilton Dist. Grand Constable, did an excellent job as acting Dist. Grand Mareschal on the day.

After the tea /coffee and refreshments etc. I as District Grand Prior, first of all thanked the members of The New Laigh Kirk for granting the District the use of hall and the church for our Divine Service.  I  then went on to thank all who had  attended the service including our distinguished guests and visitors and all those who had provided the sandwiches and cakes etc. for the refreshments, of which there was an abundance.
Thanks were then extended to the Church Officer Craig for all his assistance and the Church organist for his accompaniment in the hymns. Finally I gave a fulsome thanks to the Rev David  Cameron for his quite excellent selection of hymns and his thought provoking  sermon  giving us all  the opportunity for some self analysis.

Thanking all  once again for their attendance I wished everyone  a safe journey home  . 

Rt. Em. District Grand Prior

Edward F. Lawless.

Sat 7th May MacKean Bowling Tournament

Once again, the Fratres of Ayrshire made the annual pilgrimage to Springside Bowling Club to take part in the 87th playing of the MacKean Trophy.

On A lovely sunny May Day the Fratres were welcomed to Springside by Secretary Sandy Neill who then handed the green over to District Grand Prior Eddie Lawless who thanked Sandy for his welcome. D.G.P. Eddie welcomed the Fratres of Ayrshire and wished all a most enjoyable day after which he raised our Banner
It proved a true saying The Sun Shines on the Righteous. 5 Preceptories were represented by full rinks from Loudoun, Moira Union, Cunningham Preceptories and 2 rinks made up from Fratres from Crosbie, Hurlford, Brisbane and Garnock Vale and I thank everyone for making the effort to get a team entered.
After a photo shoot the teams contested a round robin tournament of 4 games with 5 ends per game with a wee bit cheese and a dram or two between games with Cunningham coming out winners and Moira Union runners up

After grace, the ladies once again excelled themselves by serving a delicious three course meal, after which D G Prior Eddie presented The MacKean Bowling Trophy to Cunningham and the runner’s up prize to Moira Union
Then it’s raffle time and on behalf of DGP Eddie I thank all Preceptories and individuals who donated prizes. Thanks also to my trusty Raffle seller Alex Taggart who relieved the Fratres and the kitchen ladies of £104 which will go to the D.G.Prior Eddie’s charity fund. And a thanks to Jim Dobbie for delivering the raffle winner’s prize’s to their table’s
D.G.P.Eddie brought the day to an end by lowering our Banner and handing the green back to Springside thanking the kitchen ladies and bar staff for their hospitality
D.G.P Eddie then thanked Frater Donald Frost for organising the day and Frater Alex and Jim for their efforts in the raffle
D.G.Prior Eddie concluded by wishing everyone a safe journey home.

Fratres, after a hard 2 years break with the covid virus it was nice to see 5 teams taking part today made up of 7 preceptories and hopefully we get back to a full compliment of teams next year.
I would like to thank all Fratres that took part today and look forward to seeing you all next year.

Donald Frost
Bowling Organiser

District Grand Prior Eddie and District Grand Seneschal Jim made their annual Christmas trip to the children's ward at Crosshouse Hospital 2021.

Lisalanna Donation

Immediate Past District Grand Prior Sam with District Grand Prior Eddie present Sam's Great Priory cheque for £500 to Lisalanna.