A large turn-out of Brethren from across the Province of Renfrewshire East attended a wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday, 26 August 2018 at the War Memorial in Paisley to commemorate the end of the Great War in 1918.
The ceremony was part of a Scotland-wide commemoration joint venture by the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Poppyscotland which involved visiting 31 Provinces the length and breadth of the country and encouraging Provinces and Lodges to lay wreaths on local War Memorials.
The Masonic motorcycle group – The Widows Sons Scotland – took part in the venture by riding to each location on their motorcycles to provide a visible link and also raise funds for Poppyscotland.
The moving and dignified ceremony at Paisley was introduced by PPGM, Bro. David Reid. PGM Bro, Neil Fraser then laid a wreath on behalf of the Province followed by representatives of the 37 Lodges in the Province laying individual wreaths on behalf of each Lodge.
Among them was RWM of Lodge Newton Mearns No.1706, Bro. John Howarth.
Provincial Grand Piper, Bro. Michael Dially, and PGSW, Bro. Neil Terras with his bugle added to the solemnity of the occasion which was witnessed by a large gathering of the public.
Following a short service conducted by Provincial Grand Chaplain, Bro. Rev. Robert Craig, PGM Bro. Neil Fraser spoke of the importance of remembering the sacrifice of those who took part in the Great War and thanked The Widows Sons for their presence and all the Brethren for their attendance.
