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
18/02/2022 Update
Just an update on District info. especially for those ftrs. who have been
unable to attend musters for whatever reason. These are the preceptories who
have musters scheduled for the remainder of February, Moira Union 21st
Temple grade; Hurlford 24th Business muster and Loudon Castle 26th Business
muster.
MARCH DISTRICT VISITATIONS
Crosbie on the 1st, Garnock Vale on the 12th, and Hurlford on the 24th.
NON DISTRICT VISIT MUSTERS
Cunningham,[ Pilgrim &Esquire]; Brisbane at Largs and Ayr are also having
musters, their secy's can be contacted to establish what they are doing.
APRIL DISTRICT VISITATIONS
Cunningham on the 6th; Brisbane at Largs on the 7th; Loudon Castle on the
23rd . Muirkirk have secured premises again back in the hotel where they
were prior to shutdown which is great news. Unfortunately they can't get
access until April. Therefore their first muster will be on the 23rd and it
has still to be established for definite with the Preceptor and secy whether
or not they will be ready in such short a time scale to carry out grade work
for a district visit. Ayr's district visit is scheduled for the 26th and
hopefully they will both be able to carry out some gradework and be able to
host a District Visit.
Other news I have at present is that the bowls organiser Donald Frost of
Hurlford has managed to book Saturday the 7th of May at Springside bowling
club for the district bowling competition.
The annual Divine Service has been arranged with the the Rev. David Cameron
and the session clerk of New Laigh Kirk for June the 5th.
Yours Knightly and Fraternally
Rt. Em Ftr Edward F. Lawless
District Grand Prior of Ayrshire
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.
At last some good news with an excellent report from Ven.Fr. Stuart Hamilton. Well done to him and Ven.Fr. Willie Dykes for managing to organise the competition in this difficult time.
Ayrshire District
Fishing Competition 17th Oct. 2021
McBlain Trophy
The competition took place at Burns Fishery, Tarbolton, with 13 anglers
taking part.
Fishing began at 9am, and the big hand had barely left the hour mark when
Frt Davy Kirk hooked into the first fish!!!!! Frt Billy Boe wasn’t far
behind. Reigning champion Frt Stuart Hamilton was stuck in the middle of
them, watching the two fratres go tit for tat, while he himself couldn’t
even have told you what a fish looked like, let alone catch one.
Elsewhere around the lake fish were being caught. Frt Dave Penny quietly
picked off the trout as he began to fill his bag, while Frt Bill Dykes
started catching much LESS quietly.
By now Frt Davy Kirk has caught his four fish and was on the way to the
weigh in. Closely followed by Billy Boe, and then Dave Penny. As mid day
approached every angler has a fish in the bag……except Stuart Hamilton.
Into the afternoon session and Frt Craig Hamilton was amongst the fish even
taking time to ‘showboat’, Frt Craig waited on the arrival of the REDGP
before he hooked into the fish of the day! Revelling in the battle he
managed to land a 4lb beauty in front of the ‘boss’.
The visitors were picking up good fish and as the afternoon reached the last
hour, the reigning champion kicked into high gear. In a flurry of action he
landed 2 and dropped 4, missing a further few fish. It was all too little
too late. The whistle blew, and the weigh in told the tale.
33 fish had been landed and no one had blanked. Tension mounted awaiting the
results.
Craig Hamilton was the runaway winner of heaviest fish with one at
4lb!!!!!!!
Tam Boyle took the visitors prize with a bag of 3 fish for 6lb 15oz.
And so to the main event the DGPA championship……and unsurprising it was the
three heavyweights in contention….Kirk, Boe and Penny!!!!!
But who would conquer all……the weights were in and the returning office
declared the result…..
3rd……Frt Dave Penny with 4 fish for 8lb 2oz
2nd…..Frt Davy Kirk with 4 fish just ONE ounce heavier at 8lb 3oz
And the winner, and again, champion of the DGPA, the all conquering master
and salt of the earth, Frt Billy Boe!!!!! 4 fish for 8lb 9oz. A worthy
champion!!!!!!
And so the day ended with a vote of thanks to the fishery and everyone
drifted home with tales of the one that got away….except Billy Boe who went
away with trophies, the claret jug and a full bottle of the good stuff.
Donations
On completion of his 5 year term in office District Grand Prior Sam approved these 5x £1,000.00 donations from the District Grand Priors Charity Fund.
The
James McFarland School in Ardrossan
"Beautiful
Inside and Out" a Bereavement Support Service
Troon
Branch of the Fisherman's Mission
Previous donations were -
Ven.Fr. William
Kirkpatrick had the pleasure to present to the Clyde Coast M.S. Therapy
Centre a substantial Donation on behalf of the Rt. Em. District Grand Prior
Samuel Dickson and all the Fratres of the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire.
The centre was very grateful for the donation and said that they were most
thankful to the Fratres of Ayrshire for the large donation.
Photo shows the inside of the hypobaric chamber with Ven.Fr. William
Kirkpatrick with Dave Fleming and Emma of C.C.M.S.C.
District
Grand Prior Sam presents cheque to "Soldiers Off The Street" founder member
Bro. Hammy and Brian Gibson P.M.320 project manager.
V.Em.Fr
George Dickie presenting the cheque to the 1st Alloway Boys Brigade.
District News
click on images to get larger view.