Pies, Pals and Games at Lodge Balgonie
It has been a busy start to the new season for the members of Lodge Balgonie in Markinch, with members coming together for their Annual General Meeting before kicking off this seasons social calendar with the return of the popular Pie and Mash night.
Thursday 3 September saw Lodge members host an afternoon meeting that encouraged members of lodges across the Province of Fife and Kinross, who are unable to attend evening meetings to meet and continue their involvement with Freemasonry. With over 40 masons attending the meeting the lodge rooms were suitably full.
That evening was then given over to the members of Lodge Balgonie 764 to come together for their Annual General Meeting, which also marked the beginning of the return of the regular meetings of the lodge following the summer break. As well as reflecting on the Lodge's activities over the past year, the AGM provided an opportunity to hear about the donations made to good causes within the local community of Markinch, as well as neighbouring communities, over the past 12 months.
Treasurer Bro. Stewart Quigley P.M. confirmed that the Lodge continued to make donations to good causes and charities with £850 donated in total. Among those benefiting were the Markinch Highland Games, the National Literacy Trust and Prostate Scotland. Bro. Quigley stressed to the lodge members that the donations demonstrate the Lodge's commitment to supporting organisations and initiatives that make a positive difference to individuals, families and communities, especially in and around the Markinch area.
With the first meeting out the way, the Lodge members wasted no time in getting the first of this season’s social events underway with the successful Pie, Mash and Games night.
Saturday 5 September allowed members, along with friends and family come together for an evening of good food, family style games and lots of laughs. The main attraction of the evening were the pies supplied by the award winning Wee Cook Kitchen (www.weecookkitchen.com) in Arbroath. With a range of pie fillings available, there was something to suit every taste.
The Lodge would like to extend its thanks to Hayley and all the team at Wee Cook Kitchen for providing the selection of pies and helping to make the evening such a success.
The domino tournament saw some serious concentration around the tables, but it was Mrs Fay Ford who eventually took the crown and the title as the Lodges newest domino champion. There was also a battle of wills in the Connect 4 tournament with Bro. Alan Watson P.M. proving too good for the opposition and being crowned this year's Connect 4 champion.
The evening's final challenge was the popular Quigley Quiz, where teams of 4 battled it out over 10 rounds, but it was team “Beauties and The Beast” who took 1st place.
The Right Worshipful Master, Bro. John Rougvie, thanked everyone who attended, saying:
“It was fantastic to see so many members and their families coming along and supporting another Lodge social evening so early into the Masonic season. These events are a great opportunity for us to get together, enjoy each other's company and strengthen the friendships that are such an important part of Lodge Balgonie. My thanks go to everyone who continues to support our social events and, of course, to all those who helped make the evening such an enjoyable success.”
The day lodge meeting, the AGM, the donations made and the first social event of the new season highlight the different sides of Freemasonry and Lodge Balgonie in particular - supporting the community, maintaining friendships and, importantly, enjoying some good food and fellowship.
For more information on the social events and general meetings of Lodge Balgonie visit our website at https://balgonie764.org.uk