Birnam Institute
Ian White handed over a cheque for £250 to James Irvine, manager of the Birnam Institute. The donation will be used in the much needed upgrading of theatre and stage lighting.
The Lodge in the Community
As well as the regular Lodge meetings, the United lodge of Dunkeld 14 and it's members try, where possible, to be part of the wider community. This can take any form, be it arranging events for others (not just Freemasons) to be involved in or working with fellow masons to raise money for charitable causes.
Along the way we try to have as much fun as possible and no effort is ever in vain !
Below are just a few of the things we have done throughout the years, and of course these are examples of things you yourself could be involved in !
The thirteen Lodges that make up the Province of Perthshire West
have a proud tradition in giving to local groups and charities as well as supporting the larger national causes, having donated £86,280 over the last five years. In 2017 the daughter Lodges gave £25,916 in local benevolence to groups such as Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance, Prostate Scotland, Strathcarron Hospice, The Scouts and numerous senior citizen welfare groups.
Charitable Donations 2020-2021
The primary function of Freemasonry is to raise funds for charity and good causes. The members of the United Lodge of Dunkeld have decided to donate to the following good causes. Fund raising continues through the summer with a sponsored coast to coast walk from Oban to St Andrews. The Lodge should be in a position to give more donations in the autumn.
Army Cadet Force
Tom Gordon handed over a cheque for £500 to Craig Ross, Detachment Commander of the Army Cadet Force. Craig thanked us very, very much for the donation and said that "it will be used to buy equipment for the cadets and for activities such as adventure training, educational trips and training exercises"
Childrens Hospices Across Scotland
Tom Gordon and Steve Mannion handed over a cheque for £1000 to Childrens Hospices Across Scotland community fundraiser Ruathy Donald. She was delighted to accept the donation and said that "Funds and local awareness raised by the Lodge will help CHAS on its mission to reach every single baby, child and young person who needs them, despite the current situation"
Cornhill MacMillan Centre Perth
Roddy McInnes handed over a cheque for £2000 to Karen Thomson, Voluntary Services Manager at Cornhill Macmillan Centre Perth. The Centre is a purpose built Specialist Palliative Care Unit adjacent to Perth Royal Infirmary. Karen said “We are delighted to receive the donation from the Lodge which will be used to help fund new external decking areas for the inpatient unit”.
Gien a Haund
£350 was donated to John Gilruth of the Gien a Haund Group. John was delighted to accept our donation which will cover the costs of two volunteers to complete the required MIDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) training for the plan to reinstate Community Minibus trips in support of older people.
Charitable Donations 2018-2019
The Lodge successfully held its annual Burns Supper earlier in 2019 and agreed that all proceeds would go to local good causes. To this end members raised over £1,100 on the night which was distributed over the summer months to five local organisations:
Dunkeld Scouts
Scout Leader Annetta Stewart was delighted to receive a contribution from the Lodge and said, “Dunkeld Scouts had great fun working outdoors and I’m planning to spend the money you kindly donated on more sessions we spend in the wild. I have arranged meetings run by the National Trust for Scotland Rangers teaching us about conservation. We will also continue with outdoor skills sessions during our usual Monday meetings learning about gathering and grading fire wood, using an axe, fire-fighting and cooking on an open fire. It will be a real adventure! Thank you again for making a donation!”
Scout Leader Annetta is pictured with some of the Dunkeld Scouts.
Perth Autism Support
Perth Autism Support www.perthautismsupport.org.uk provides assistance to autistic children and their families from throughout Perthshire. The organisation was delighted to receive a cheque from Substitute Master Bro. Tom Gordon and will put the donation to good use in Perthshire.
Substitute Master Bro. Tom Gordon is pictured handing over the donation outside the Perth Autism Support Offices.
Gien A Haun
Gien A Haun or “giving a hand” is a local organization run by Mr. John Gilruth which provides support to elderly and vulnerable people in Dunkeld and Birnam. Mr. Gilruth received his donation from Lodge Almoner, Bro. Steve Mannion, and assured him he would immediately put it to good use.
Bro. Steve Mannion is pictured with Mr John Gilruth outside Dunkeld Cathedral.
Dolphin Swimming Club
The Dolphin Swimming Club at Perth Leisure Pool provides swimming classes and lessons to disabled swimmer from throughout Perthshire and will use this years donation to ensure that continues.
Support Help & Integration in Perthshire (SHIP)
SHIP - Support children 5-18 years with additional support needs, disabilities and life limiting conditions in Perthshire to access leisure and recreational activities within their community, whilst providing parents, carers and siblings with much needed respite. SHIP runs youth clubs, sports clubs, Saturday clubs and school holiday clubs.
Following receipt of the Lodge donation, Lisa Webster, SHIP service coordinator, said -
“thank you so much for your generous donation, this will help to provide experiences and make memories for the young people we support. Your donation will also be noted in our news letter”.
Provincial Curling Competition !
Now for those of you that don't know, there is a yearly curling competition in the Province of Perthshire West, played between the lodges within the Province at the Dewar’s Centre rinks in Perth. What this means for most of us is that once a year, we go curling. And on Saturday the 16th of March 2019 those pictured here ventured onto the ice and mostly didn't fall over!
Pictured here are Willie Semple (Secretary), Ollie Coe (Bible Bearer), Duncan McDonald (Senior Deacon) and Tom Gordon (Substitute Master). All members of The United Lodge of Dunkeld and obviously all in their physical and mental prime!
As the day progressed it was clear that Dunkeld would not sweep the boards with the competition this year but that mattered not a jot! the smiles were never far from our faces and the inter-team comradeship made the day for everyone.
Allied to this is the even better news that the event raised a significant sum for charity.
I can't think of a better day out!
Six Lodges competed for the Morris Curling Trophy at Dewar’s Rinks this Year with Lodge Bailie Nicol Jarvie No.1036 emerging victorious once again. Lodge St. Michael No.38 won the trophy for closest game
George's 100th Celebrations !!
Our oldest, and arguably most endearing Brother reached the big 100 recently, Bro. G.B. Reid P.M. To mark this event there was of course much celebration and a rather large gathering in the lodge rooms at Tay Terrace. Our Master, Bro D Young, presented George with a painting, commissioned by the lodge, showing the lodge rooms from across the river Tay. I know everyone is in awe of George's achievements to date and I'm sure there is much more to come from this, still very active member of the community, valued Freemason and Brother. He does seem quite pleased with the contents of the silver bag though !
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