HISTORICAL SKETCH, LODGE RANDOLPH NO 776, BUCKHAVEN, FIFE, SCOTLAND
By Brother John C Martin, Past Master 776
On Saturday the 11th August 1990. Lodge Randolph No
776 celebrated its Centenary Rededication, which was carried out by the
Grand master mason, Brother Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor
Bart, and Deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Brother The Right
Honourable The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine KT CD- JP, MA, LLD,
Provincial Grand master and Deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge
of Fife and Kinross and 123 Brethren from 32 Sister Lodges attended the
Celebrations.
We have started at the pouring forth of Corn, wine and oil of
Rededication, but we must go back to the laying of the foundations and
the building of the superstructure of this 100 year old Lodge, which was
as follows:
It was in 1890 in Buckhaven, a small coal mining and fishing
community in the Kingdom of Fife on the Firth of Forth almost due North
of Edinburgh, where 12 brethren from 8 various Lodges, who had seen the
Light, were desirous of extending the benefits of the Craft in this part
of the County, which could not be accomplished without having a
regularly constituted lodge.
These Brethren had obviously sought the patronage of Brother
Randolph Gordon Erskine Wemyss of Wemyss, as the Lodge was named
‘Randolph’ after him. The petition for a Charter to hold a new Lodge
was drawn up, the first Office Bearers were elected and the Petition
signed by the 12 Brethren
On the 24th April 1890, they travelled east to Leven, to
seek the sponsorship of Elgins Lodge at Leven No 91, which
they readily agreed to. The following night they travelled west to the
next nearest Lodge, St Clair of Dysart 520, who also agreed to
sponsorship. The Petition was received by Grand Lodge in May 1890 and
was subsequently granted on the 7th of August 1890. 
The first meeting of the Lodge took place in a room in the house in
College Street, Buckhaven, belonging to Brother Peter Deas, Junior
Warden, on the 1st of September 1890, the Charter was read
and the Fees for Initiation of £1 -17s-6d or to include the mark £2-2s
were set.
The first Degree meeting took place on the 15th
September, when one of the Initiates, Reverend Alexander Ayton Young,
Clergyman was thereafter proposed and seconded to be the Lodge Chaplain
as an E.A., such was the need for Office Bearers. On the 6th
of October, the Lodge repaid to Brother Stuart, Senior Warden, the 10
Guineas he had loaned the Lodge in order to obtain the Charter. Due to
Buckhaven being a fishing harbour and Methil having industrial docks,
many ships from ports throughout Britain, Germany, Holland, Norway and
Sweden, loaded or unloaded their cargos here, members of the crews were
often proposed, Initiated, Passed and Raised on the same night, due to
them sailing on the morning tide, this was a regular occurrence.
The foundation stone was laid for the new Methil Public School, with
Masonic Honours by the Master, Office Bearers of the Lodge and assisted
by 3 Office Bearers from Lodge Wemyss No 777. Thereafter the
Brethren proceeded in procession to the Methil Band Hall where
refreshments were provided by the School Board, on 24th
September 1892.
The 1st of October 1892, Brother J T Oswald of Dunnikier,
Provincial Grand Master and the Deputation from the Provincial Grand
Lodge of Fife and Kinross, Consecrated the Lodge, the proceedings were
of the most harmonious nature, although there is no evidence of any one
signing the Attendance Book on this occasion.
At the Regular Meeting on 21st May 1894, the Lodge was
asked to support the formation of a new Lodge in Methil, between
Randolph and Elgins Lodge at Leven, 2 miles away. It was decided to
delay signing of the Petition, till all the facts were presented, as to
whether the population of the area could support another Lodge
These facts, when produced, were to be heard by Grand Secretary.
Nothing more is minited after June, regarding the matter or the Lodges'
favour of it, but in August an Invitation was received form Balfour
Melville No 809, the new Lodge in Methil, to attend their
Installation.
Lodge Randolph moved to a New Meeting Place on 15th
October 1894, they had obtained a let for the use of the Free Gardeners
hall. The Senior Warden opened the Lodge and the Master was then
received into the new Lodge Rooms with Masonic Honours. The Insurance
Company informed the Lodge that 6d. Extra would require to be paid on
the premium for each ‘Theatrical Performance'!
In 1897 Brother the Right Honourable the Earl of Rosslyn organised
his Installation as the Provincial Grand Master of Fife and Kinross to
be held in Roslin Chapel, Midlothian. A special train was laid on to
convey the Brethren and their ladies from Fife and Kinross to Roslin
Railway station, where the Brethren assembled and marched in procession
for a mass meeting, to the Chapel connected with the name and family of
the Provincial Grand master, (The Apprentices Pillar of Masonic fame is
located in Roslin Chapel).
The Brethren of the Lodge attended the Laying of the Foundation
Stone of the new Masonic Hall for Elgins Lodge at Leven No 91
on the 6th of October 1898 and 20 Brethren also attended the
consecration of the Lodge by the Provincial Grand Lodge, 7th
September 1899.
In January 1901, the Lodge and the Country went into mourning over
sense of loss by the death of Queen Victoria also to wish our new King
and Brother. Edward VII well. The Lodge Regalia was put into mourning
for three months with black crepe.
July 1901, the Brethren of the Lodge turned out to the railway
station at East Wemyss, to welcome home our Patron, Brother Randolph
Gordon Erskine Wemyss of Wemyss, on his homecoming from the Boer War in
South Africa.
It had been quite common at this time for the Lodge to conduct the
complete service at Masonic Funerals for deceased Brethren of the Lodge,
a Funeral Service card was even produced for the use of the Brethren who
attended and participated in the ceremony.
At a meeting in March 1908, the Master commanded the Junior Warden
to call the Brethren from Labour to Refreshment, after the Brethren had
partaken of refreshment the Master, for the first time in the Lodge's
history with a few pointed words, presented Brother James Waddell,
Immediate Past Master with a Past Masters Jewel, in token of his
services to the Lodge as Master for the past three years. Thereafter the
Brethren were called from Refreshment back to Labour and the Lodge was
closed in due form.
In April 1910, the Master made a feeling reference to the death of
our beloved King and Brother Edward VII; Provincial Grand Lodge issued
instructions for wearing of mourning for our late King.
In 1911, after the Installation Ceremony, the Senior Warden
presented the Immediate Past Master with his Past Masters Jewel, this
was to become the regular manner for many years in which this
presentation was made.
August 1914, The Master referring to the War Crisis, asked Nominees
of intending candidates to consider well their future position before
applying for membership.
In 1915, Brother Lord Bruce Provincial Grand Master, appealed to the
Brethren of the Province to assist him in bringing the Corps he
commanded up to the required strength. As the Country was in the middle
of the Great War (World War 1) it was decided not to celebrate our 25th
Anniversary.
The Lodge, during the war sent comfort parcels to the Brethren
serving with the Colours, not forgetting P.O.W's Lodge Brethren who
attended meetings at this time in uniform were always given a very
special, hearty welcome. In February 1918 a Brother of the Lodge, sent a
letter regarding a meeting he had attended while on active service and
enclosed the programme of the proceedings of the interesting gathering
entitled, 'St Johns Night in Flanders'.
After the war, Freemasonry flourished, large numbers of Petitions
were received, at one meeting in February 1919, 13 Petitions were read,
12 were Passed and a further 13 were Initiated. In September 60 Brethren
received their Mark and in April 1920, 66 more received their Mark.
A Feu to purchase a piece of ground was obtained in April 1920, from
the Wemyss Estate at £10-10s. Per acre, the area of ground required was
1/3 acre; this generous offer was by the good
graces of Brother Randolph Wemyss. The ground had been purchased to
build a Masonic Temple, it was decided to proceed but the building was
not to cost more than £4,000. When the Architect presented the prices
from his drawings, it exceeded the agreed price, therefore the proposal
was dropped and alternative accommodation was sought for the Lodge's
use.
Alternative premises were purchased for the sum of £2,500 in
November 1920, which was a building called Templehall, consisting of
ground floor and first floor flats. The idea was to convert the first
floor flat into a Lodge Room and the ground floor into ante rooms.
Due to problems of purchasing the building, the factoring of the
Tenants, within the flats and the costs involved for the alterations
required, it was decided to sell the property in April 1921. A Brother
of the Lodge had an idea, which was to offer the Building called
Templehall, to the Wemyss Estate if they would build a Temple on the
ground, which had already been purchased in Kinnear Street Buckhaven;
this proposal was accepted by the Wemyss Estate Board.
In May 1922, the Wemyss Estate Architect, Mr Todd, designed the
Temple to meet the requirements of :- Hall floor space 40' x 25', two
ante rooms 16 x 11'6" each with a toilet, a heating chamber. Lit
with electric (which at that time was an option) and wall seating all
round the Lodge room.
The Lodge was ultimately built then Consecrated on the 10th
march 1923. The Secretary had gone across to Grand Lodge in Edinburgh to
pick up the Consecration Vessels etc, to be used at the Consecration,
Brother the Right Honourable The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine and
Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross Office Bearers carried out
the Ceremony in a very impressive and touching manner, during which a
memorial tablet which had been erected on the West wall to commemorate
the 5 Brethren of the Lodge who had given their lives in the Great War
was also unveiled, after which the Last Post was sounded.
In March 1926 a Special Meeting was held to attend the Masonic
Funeral of the Master, the Service was held in the late Brother's Home,
conducted by the Immediate Past Master and the Lodge Chaplain. Pall
Bearers from the Lodge who had been appointed, conveyed the coffin to
the hearse. Thereafter they proceeded to the cemetery in East Wemyss,
where the last rites were performed by the Depute Master and Chaplain,
the attendance of 123 Brethren was normal for these occasions. A head
stone in open book form, with the square and compasses on it, was paid
for by the Lodge.
In March 1930, the Lodges Annual Assemble commenced at 8 pm, members
and friends sat down to dinner and tea in the Masonic hall, after
dinner, recitations and songs were performed, and a nice evening was
spent. The dinner tables were then cleared away and 60 couples headed by
the Master and his wife took the floor for the Grand March and dancing,
the evening ended at 4 am.
In the Minute Book for 1932, at the Festival of St John, a full
entry for the Toast List was inscribed as follows:
(1) The King and the Craft
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(2) The Three Grand Lodges
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(3) Provincial Grand Lodge
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(4) The Master
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(5) Reply
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(6) The Past Masters
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(7) Reply
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(8) The Wardens
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(9) Both Replied
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(10) The Visiting Brethren
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(11) Reply
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(12) Absent Brethren
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18th November 1937, Brother Andrew Stein, Lodge Architect
and Brother William Small, presented to the Lodge a beautifully carved
master's Chair, which is still used today. Brother Andrew Stein also
presented the Lodge with a new carpet, when we moved into our new Hall
in 1923, at that Meeting, the Master requested the two Wardens to unroll
the carpet.
Due to the Second World War the Lodge did not celebrate its Jubilee
Anniversary (50 years). During the early War years the County Council
intimated they would be taking over the Lodge for the duration of the
War, in case of a Blitz, to be used as a Mortuary. The Fire Watchers for
the Lodge, were instructed not to erect beds within the building, which
they intended to use while they were on duty, (you can't fire watch a
building if you're sleeping in it!) The Lodge moved to other premises
during the War, these being The Church of Scotland, Denbeath Church Hall
and Ante Rooms, during this period it was agreed that similar to the
last war, that Comfort Parcels be sent to Lodge Brethren in the Forces
and P.O.Ws.
At the end of the War, the Brethren moved back to the Lodge Rooms
and received £45 compensation from Fife County Council for damages done
to the building while in their hands.
In December 1945, The Secretary had received 2 gallons of Whisky and
2 gallons of Rum. It was decided to sell 1/2
bottle of each at meetings. Brethren to get one nip each at 1/6d for
whisky and 1/9d for rum, 2 bottles of each for the Installation,
Festival of St John and the Annual Assembly.
The Lodge was Adopted in 1948 by the Sir Wylie Norman Lodge No 79,
Brisbane, United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Australia, the adoption
formed a bond of Fraternal Brotherhood between the two Lodges, which is
still in much evidence today. Correspondence was carried out between the
Lodges and the Brethren in the Lodges, which culminated in a Parcel
Scheme being introduced, bearing in mind that Britain was still in the
food rationing system at this time, parcels were sent to 3 Office
Bearers and 3 Brethren of Lodge Randolph by our Australian Brothers on a
regular basis, a different 6 on each occasion.
After the Installation in 1949, it had been unanimously agreed to
present Brother William Carstairs the retiring Master, for the first
time in the Lodge's History, a Past Masters jewel, Sash and Apron in
recognition of his services to the Lodge, previously it had been the
custom to present a Past Masters Jewel only.
In 1950, we were honoured to receive the Sir Wylie Norman Lodge No
79, Australia, who visited the Lodge, with a deputation of 14 Brethren,
one of whom a Brother Frederick Allan Pidgeon, was a Fellow Craft and
was made a Master Mason at Lodge Randolph’s hands.
After the Ceremony the Candidate was made an Honorary Member of
Lodge Randolph, also a Masonic Bible was presented to him, for future
reference and to recall his night in Buckhaven. Deputations from the
Grand Lodge of Scotland, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross
along with Brethren from many other Lodges attended, making an
attendance of 167 Brethren.
August 1952, the Lodge met for the purpose of a Masonic Funeral. The
Immediate Past master made sympathetic reference to the sudden and
tragic death of Brother James H Blyth the Master. The family favoured a
Masonic Funeral and for that purpose the Lodge had assembled. The Lodge
had been very unfortunate in that, since 1926 March, The Master, 1951
June, The Junior Warden and now the Master, all these principle Office
Bearers had died while holding office.
The beginning of good and true lasting friendship began in 1957
between Lodge Randolph and Lodge Salfire
No 1505 Glasgow, the two lodges visiting each other annually to work
degrees and to attend each other’s installations. This inter-visiting
still continues today which is a true bond of Masonic Brotherhood.
The Masters of the local Lodges met in 1964 and agreed to hold
Annually, a third degree and it to be called the 'Reigning Masters
Degree', which was to be worked by the masters of Lodges 91, 776, 809,
940, 1240, 1260 and 1441. The idea was that each master takes an Office
and perform from their own Lodge workings, each year progressing up the
offices till occupying the Chair in their own Lodge, rotating to a
different host Lodge every year. The profits from the Harmony and the
collection to be donated to Benevolence.
The Lodge decided the presentation to be made to the Retiring Master
was to consist of: - if serving one year in the Chair, either a Past
Masters Jewel or Sash and Apron, if serving two years in the Chair to
receive both, this ruling was made in 1966.
The Master made a feeling report and asked the Brethren to be
upstanding and to observe one minutes silence for the Coal Miners who
had lost their lives in the Michael Colliery Disaster, East Wemyss.
Disasters, like the Lindsay Colliery Disaster in 1958, the Auchengeich
Colliery Disaster in 1959 and the Michaels, affect the Brethren greatly
from the close connection the Lodge and its Members have with the Coal
Miners.
The first regular Meeting after the master had been Installed in
1968, the Master opened the Meeting, conducted the business and before
he could continue with the degree, he was called to attend an emergency
matter arising from his duties as a Police Officer.
The Lodge was honoured to receive on the 18th July 1970,
and to witness a Special Meeting, being an Exemplified Working of the
master mason degree, by the Masonic Kilties of New Jersey, U.S.A. This
very memorable and impressive Ceremony was witnessed by 300 Brethren
from 52 Sister Lodges and was their first visit to Fife.
Sunday 13th May 1972. On this day, Brother David
Liddell-Grainger of Ayton, Most Worshipful Grand master Mason, Grand
Secretary, Senior Grand Chaplain, also two Substitute Provincial Grand
Masters and Provincial Grand Secretary from the Province of Fife and
Kinross, visited the Lodge Rooms of Lodge Randolph No 776,
where they were warmly welcomed and entertained by the Master, Office
Bearers, Brethren and their wives. A similar entry to the aforementioned
was inscribed in the Attendance Book by Grand Secretary and it was
signed, at the Grand Master's request, by all in attendance, including
the wives. This created quite a novelty, by having ladies signatures in
a Lodge Attendance Book; this occasion was the first visit of a Grand
Master to the Lodge.
The Lodge was again extremely pleased and honoured, that we had
again the pleasure of receiving a second visit from our American
Brothers from the Masonic Kilties of New Jersey on 8th August
1975. A Special meeting was held for the Exemplified Working of the
Master mason degree, at the end of the ceremony Provincial Grand Lodge
and the Kilties retired to the stirring sound of Bagpipes.
The Kilties working of the degree and their company after the
Meetings at the dances to follow was extremely pleasant and memorable;
the Brethren who were fortunately able to attend both of the meetings
certainly had something very special to remember and to increase their
understanding of our Universal Brotherhood. Time alas has broken this
contact.
The mode of Ceremonial Dress was changed from white bow tie and
white gloves to black bow tie and white gloves and that the Aprons were
to be worn inside the jackets, in 1978.
The Lodge Almoner resigned in 1978 after serving 31 years in the
same Office, since its conception in 1947, the lodge's long serving
Office Bearers in the same Office had been a Treasurer, Brother James
Beveridge Junior
who had served 40 years, also a Chaplain Brother John
Elmslie, Past Master, served 24 years.
Dispensation from the Provincial Grand Lodge to abandon our Regular
Meeting on 16th November 1978, the reason for this was the finding in
the Lodge, the body of our Brother Andrew Livingstone, Past master, No
776. Our much beloved Brother had been savagely murdered by person or
persons unknown, and the Lodge was temporarily closed by the Police to
allow the investigations to proceed.
Twelve Noon, 21st November, Special meeting was convened
to attend to the Masonic Funeral of our late Brother, Andrew Livingstone,
Past Master. The Provincial Grand Lodge Deputation and 233 Brethren who
attended heard a eulogy by Brother John Elmslie Past Master 776. The
assembled Brethren then adjourned and travelled to Methilhill Cemetery
where they were joined by many other mourning Brothers. The Lodge Office
Bearers acted as Pall Bearers and conveyed the coffin to its last
resting place and along with the assembled Brethren full Masonic Honours
were bestowed.
Lodge Randolph attended in 1980, the 25th Anniversary of
Lodge Salfire No 1505 in
Glasgow, held within the Guild Hall, Glasgow, a most impressive and
suitable premises to hold such a memorable day. Lodge Salfire
having taken its name from the old 'Salvage and Fire Corps' and many of
the Brethren being firemen, Randolph presented to them on this occasion
an old brass fire bell and stand, from an old Fire Engine, which had
been suitably inscribed. In 1981 Lodge Salfire
returned this compliment and presented Randolph with a Fire Bell.
The six local lodges' masters and Wardens met in 1983, to discuss
the means of jointly raising money for local charities. The idea which
was adopted was to have the members of each Lodge taking part in a
Sponsored Walk, round the six Lodges, a distance of 13 miles. Each Lodge
taking a turn of being host and to rotate annually. During the walk each
Lodge holding fund raising events and providing refreshment and
sustenance to the walkers and to make their load easier by relieving
them of some of their money. This event has been very successful and has
been run every year since, and the Levenmouth Combined Freemasons have
raised the sum of £20,000 for local charities.
In 1986 the Lodge had been experiencing financial problems, which
made the viability of continuing to own our own Temple impossible. It
was agreed to sell the Lodge Buildings and seek alternative
accommodation. In September the Lodge moved to the Denbeath Miners
Welfare Institute, as tenants, the accommodation provided by them was
very suitable and acceptable for our uses.
A design for a Coat of Arms was produced for the Lodge and approved,
thereafter a petition was presented to the Lord Lyon King of Arms for
approval in March 1987, a Warrant was granted to the Lyon Clerk to
matriculate in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland
in the name of Lodge Randolph No 776 its Ensigns Armorial
 One
half of the Coat of Arms is that of Grand Lodge of Scotland the other
side contains the Lion Rampant of Randolph Wemyss, a miners davey lamp,
(which are the three lights in the Lodge) the 776 motif and a black and
white lozangy base with a fish upon it depicting the old mining and
fishing community.
Embroidered badges, of the Coat of Arms were produced and added to
the Lodge's Regalia, these being fixed onto the lambskin of the Aprons.
A steel shield was presented in October 1989 to the Lodge, which
depicted the Coat of Arms in its true form; the Centenary Jewels also
depict our Coat of Arms.
On the 11th of August 1990 being the date nearest to that of
the Charter being granted by Grand Lodge in 1890, the Centenary
Re-dedication was celebrated, the Lodge was now 100 years old
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