There is a saying ‘time flies when you are having fun’. It is hard to believe that almost one year has passed since I was commissioned Provincial Grand Master. Thank you all for the tremendous support and encouragement I have received during 2007. I have particularly enjoyed my visits to the Daughter Lodges and really appreciate the warm welcome received on every occasion.

The Lodges are in fine heart albeit some are struggling with a fall in attendances and some experiencing financial hardship. The wellbeing of all the Lodges in the Province is paramount in the thoughts of the Commissioned Office-bearers but we do need your help – please continue to visit as often as you can. The past year has been memorable. No sooner was I commissioned Provincial Grand Master than I was welcoming Grand Lodge into Dunbartonshire and in

particular the Centenary Celebrations of Lodge 1018. This was swiftly followed by my Installation at the end of March when I was delighted to see so many friends join me that day when we donated £12,000 to the Grand Lodge Benevolent Funds, a gift from all the Lodges of Dunbartonshire.

We then had the presentation to Erskine in October when some of the Erskine Veterans joined us for dinner. The outstanding efforts of the Lodges and Brethren realised the sum of £20,000 for Erskine. Quite remarkably during that same week we held a sell-out charity concert at Dalmuir to raise funds for the Masonic Home at Bridge of Weir. The evening was great fun and everyone enjoyed it not least of all the Homes staff. The concert raised £1,500 to allow the Marcus Humphrey Homes Friends Group to plan something special to improve the quality of life for the residents.

I am very conscious that the Dunbartonshire Lodges and Brethren always give their wholehearted support to the various appeals organised by Provincial Grand Lodge. This whilst the Lodges continue their wonderful support of other national and local charities, not forgetting the call on Masonic benevolence. We can all be justly proud of our achievements in Dunbartonshire and I am most grateful for all your support. We shall soon be welcoming the Grand Master Mason into Dunbartonshire for our Installation of Elected Office-bearers. Brother Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing has indicated that this will be his final year as Grand Master Mason and I am sure you will join with me in thanking him for his excellent leadership of the Scottish Craft over the past few years.

With best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008 to you and your loved ones.