The Brethren of Alexanders

A DECADE OF ALEXANDERS MASONRY
25^th January 1996 - 26^th January 2006

The “Brethren of Alexanders” were formed in 1996 by Bro. Steven Conlin thought it would be a novel and entertaining idea to organise a Degree team comprised entirely of masons who were employees of Alexanders Coachbuilders.

The suggestion was put to some of his colleagues, who enthusiastically supported the idea. Steven then persuaded the Brethren of his Mother Lodge, Lodge Camelon No 1456, of which he was RWM of at the time, to allow the “Brethren of Alexanders” to confer the Entered Apprentice Degree on one of their Candidates, permission was granted from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire and the rest is history.

The first rehearsal took place in Steven’s living room, where a chess board was used to represent the lodge carpet and the format for the Degree was worked out. The degree was a huge success both Masonically and socially and the die was now cast for future degrees.

So from that first degree conferred on the 25^th January 1996, the Brethren then went on to confer an Entered Apprentice Degree under the leadership of Bro. Colin Reid RWM at Lodge St John No 484, Slamannan, on the 17^th September, 1997. On the 19^th of February 1999, Bro. John Bell, RWM led the Brethren into Lodge St Andrew No 176, Denny and Loanhead again to confer an Entered Apprentice Degree. On the 22^ndof November 2000 Bro. John Macgregor PM headed the deputation into his mother Lodge, Cumbernauld St. Andrew’s Lodge, No199.

This was an historic occasion for the Brethren of Alexanders as by conferring the Entered Apprentice Degree on Bro. Tom McLeod they initiated the first candidate who was employed by Alexanders. The Brethren marked the occasion by presenting Bro. McLeod with an apron.

This was followed by another momentous occasion when on October 22^nd 2001, Bro. James Fisher PM led the Brethren into Lodge Stirling Royal Arch No 76, where the Brethren initiated a father and son, in the persons of Brothers Alex. and David Drummond, the former being an employee of Alexanders. The Brethren also presented Alex and David with an apron.

On the 18^th September 2002, the Brethren were invited to Lodge St John Slamannan 484 to confer their first Mark Master Mason Degree, they were headed by Bro. James Fisher PM of Lodge Stirling Stirling Royal Arch No 76.

After a period of seven years, the time it took to build the Temple at Jerusalem, the Brethren returned to Lodge Camelon 1456, on April 10^th, 2003, to confer their first Master Mason Degree, on this occasion the Brethren were again led by Bro. Steven Conlin PM of Lodge No 1456. The candidate on that evening was Bro. Derek Clark, the third employee of Alexanders to have a Degree conferred on him. Bro. Clark was also presented with an apron by the Brethren.

On the 17^th of September of that same year the Brethren were invited back to Lodge St John Slamannan 484 to again confer Mark Degree. Their fame was now spreading far and wide and on the 21^st of October 2003 they were invited to the. USA (the other side of Airdrie) to Lodge Caldercruix St John No 1314, when another employee, Bro. Willie Marshall had the Mark Degree conferred by the Brethren.

Not to be outdone, by their near neighbours, Lodge Airdrie St John No 166, invited the Brethren to confer the Mark Degree on March 3^rd 2004.

On each of these last three Degrees, Bro. James Fisher PM carried out the duties of Right Worshipful Mark Master. A week later on the 10^th of March Bro. John Macgregor once more led the Brethren into his mother Lodge to confer the Master Mason Degree.

In 2005 the Brethren conferred three degrees, on the 24^th of February, Bro. Ian Campbell RWM of Lodges St Andrew, Denny and Loanhead, No 176 led the Brethren into his Mother Lodge to confer a Master Mason Degree. On April 11^th Lodge Stirling Royal Arch No 76 were the hosts and again a Master Mason Degree was conferred. PM Bro. Fisher led the deputation into his mother Lodge, then presented the Gavel to Bro. Ian Campbell to preside over the Degree. Another of the Airdrie Lodges, Lodge New Monkland St James No 88 invited the Brethren to confer the Mark Degree on October the 24^th. On Wednesday the 28^th December 2005, the Brethren visited Cumbernauld St Andrew’s Lodge No 199 once more and under the leadership of RWM Bro. John MacGregor they conferred the Master Mason Degree.
Then on the 26^th January 2006, almost ten years to the day, the Brethren of Alexanders re-entered Lodge Camelon No 1456 at the request of RWM Bro. Donny Wright to confer the Master Mason Degree on one Fellow of the Craft Bro. Martin Swan, the son of one of the Brethren in the degree team Bro. Willie Swan, and celebrate their 10^th anniversary.

Since then the Brethren have worked Mark Degrees in Lodge Whifflet St John No 963 on March 28^th 2006, in Lodge Polmont No 793 on the April 26^th 2006, Lodge Kyle Kildrum No 1602 on May 18^th, 2006, an Entered Apprentice Degree in Lodge St John Falkirk No 16 on the 24^th October 2006 and a Master Mason Degree in Lodge St Cumbernauld St Andrew No 199. The team this evening was led by RWM. Bro. John MacGregor, the Reigning Master of 199. A Mark Degree was then worked in Lodge Dolphin, Bonnybridge, No 911. The most recent Degree was a Master Mason Degree worked in Lodge Stirling Royal Arch No 76 on 12^th November 2007. The team that evening was lead by RWM Brother Jamie Findlay from Lodge Callendar No 588.

During the ten years plus of the venture they have produce various mementoes such as an Alexanders tie, bowtie, lapel pin and for the 10th Anniversary they had a Jewel struck. All can be seen below.

To enlarge please click on Image

The Jewel was a limited edition , however there are supplies of the others available. If interested please click here and the details of cost, etc can be e-mailed to you.

Future Dates

The Brethren of Alexanders continue their exploits and have been invited to confer the following Degrees.

The Brethren look forward to meeting with you on these evenings.