The history of Lodge Earl Haig starts in December 1920, where a meeting of Freemasons was held in Shepherd's Lesser Hall in the small town of Windygates in the county of Fife, with about 60 other like minded Brethren, for the purpose to enquire if it was desired to open a Lodge of Freemasons within the town.

 

The Brethren present agreed to the initiation fee of £5 and 5 shillings, and an affiliation fee of £1. It was further agreed that all Brethren signing the petition would deposit a sum of not less than £1 towards the Lodge funds.

 

There were 9 meetings held between December and the consecration of the proposed Lodge.

 

The consecration of the Lodge was carried out at 3:30 pm on the 18th of June 1921 in the Shepherd's Hall, Windygates by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross. On this occasion they were presided over by The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Bro The Earl of Elgin.

 

On completion of the ceremony Bro The Earl Of Elgin installed Bro William Wardlaw into the Chair of King Solomon, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro Middleton went on to install the Deputy and Substitute Masters and Wardens, the Substitute Provincial Grand Master Bro Sir Kennedy Dalziel installed the remaining Office Bearers.

 

After the meeting was closed a meal was enjoyed by all the Brethren and visitors present. The Earl of Elgin went on to propose a toast to the success of Lodge Earl Haig .

 

The first regular meeting of the Lodge was held on the 6th of June 1921 at 7pm, three new members from the town were initiated into the secrets and mysteries of Freemasonry

 

The first Annual Assembly of the Lodge was held on Friday 10th of March 1922, a gathering of 81 Gents and 67 Ladies attended.

 

In 1925 The Right Worshipful Master Bro James King along with the Lodge's Wardens represented the Brethren of the Lodge at the laying of the foundation stone of the County Buildings in Cupar.

 

1935 saw the 200th initiate into the Lodge, this being Bro Peter Shaw a farmer from Kingsdale Farm by Windygates

 

1940 - 1945, The war years, the lodge continued from strength to strength during the war years, with regular meetings being held throughout.

 

1946 - the 25th anniversary year. Celebrations were to be held on the 21st June, with a hostess whist drive, a dance and a Christmas raffle also to be held.

 

1948 - The lodge committee felt a requirement to purchase Past Masters jewels and aprons, after discussions it was agreed to purchase three 9 carrot gold jewels at the price of £19 and 18 shillings each, a considerable sum in the early years after the end of the war.

 

1949 - RWM Bro Houston and the Wardens signed a petition on behalf of Lodge Earl Haig, to act as seconders to the foundation of a new Lodge just a couple of miles up the road in the village of Kennoway. The name of the proposed lodge was St Kenneth, and they were eventually numbered 1441.

 

1950 - This was the year that there was first mention of the Lodge considering purchasing their own premises, this did not come to anything as the Lodge continued to rent their premises.

 

1952 - Like many other lodges, Lodge Earl Haig stood in a minutes silence in memory of His Late Majesty King George VI.

 

1953 - The lodge held a Coronation Ball in commemoration to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Friday 29th May. This year also saw the Lodge work away from home for the first time in many years, with a visit to Lodge Woodall St John's No 305 Bellshill, to work a Master Masons degree.

 

1954 - The lodge continued to visit other Lodges to confer degrees.

 

1955 - Plans were made for purpose built Lodge Rooms, in neighbouring premises, a two storey building, it was proposed that the upper floor would be converted into a hall with two adjacent ante rooms, the plans were to leave the ground floor as it was for the moment. Solicitors were instructed to make an offer for the property.

 

1956 - In the January notification was received from Fife County Council that the proposed plans for the new Masonic Hall had been approved. Support and good wishes were received from around the Province as word spread of the new Masonic Hall.

 

1957 - The new Lodge premises were now progressing well, it had now come time that the Notice of Motion to alter our by-laws in respect to our meeting place to read the Masonic Hall, Station Road, Windygates.

In the May of this year the Rt Hon the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine stepped down from his position as Provincial Grand Master.

 

1958 - Saw the consecration of the new Masonic Hall on the 26th April, presided over by Bro Lord Bruce Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, and was followed by a Ceremonial Dinner.

 

1959 - The Lodge began to get back on an even keel following the excitement of the new premises, with a good number of new initiates and healthy numbers attended meetings. On the 27th of April the RWM and Depute Master and their good Ladies attended the wedding of our Provincial Grand Master Bro Lord Bruce to Miss Victoria Usher, in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

 

1960 - 1967 Saw the Lodge carry on with healthy attendances and a good number of candidates coming through.

 

1968 - The end of this year was a sad time not only for our Lodge but all the Sister Lodges of the Province, as news of the death of Past Provincial Grand Master The Rt Hon the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine KT CMG TD LL LLD JP. His son Lord Bruce our current Provincial Grand Master Mason would take over from his father as the new Earl of Elgin.

 

The early Seventies saw the preparations for the Lodges 50th anniversary beginning, and the date for the celebration being set for Saturday 1st May 1971.

The work continued throughout the seventies, with many visits to other Lodges and many Lodges visiting Earl Haig.

 

1979 - Saw the Lodge thrown into turmoil over our Lodge Premises due to a rather large rates demand from the local council. On the 16th of May an emergency meeting was held to discuss the future of the Lodge premises. At a meeting held on the 7th June it was agreed to move out of our premises by the end of the month. Meetings were now going to be held on a Thursday in the Windygates Institute.

The first meeting in the new venue was held on the 6th of September.

 

The 1980s saw the Lodge continue on a steady vane, 1983 saw new Office Bearers Regalia being dedicated by the Provincial Grand Chaplin

 

1991 - After some research into the family Coat of Arms of our namesake Earl Haig by Bro Gordon Michie PM, it was agreed to approach the present Earl for his permission to use the Coat of Arms on Lodge stationery. The Lodge was quickly in receipt of a reply from Earl Haig stating that he would be honoured if the Lodge used his Coat of Arms. He further mentioned the great pride and affection that he felt towards the Lodge that carried his name.

 

1992 - The Ad-Hoc committee of The Grand Lodge of Scotland, recommended to daughter Lodges to look at the possibility of sharing premises with other Lodges. After a long discussion at committee it was decided to approach Elgins Lodge At Leven No 91 to discuss the possibility of lodge sharing. The first meeting of October saw the Notice of Motion being put before the Lodge that we should move to Elgins Lodge at Leven with effect from the first meeting in January 1993.

 

1993 - The first meeting held at the Masonic Temple at Leven in January was the passing of Bro Paul Purves. At the close of the meeting the RWM spoke of the fond times had in Windygates, even though the Lodge had moved out of the village, it would always be a part of the Lodge.

 

1995 - The new year was to bring the celebration to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross. Throughout the year there were to be different events to celebrate this anniversary, culminating with an Anniversary Ball in the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline.

 

1996 - The year of Lodge Earl Haig's 75th Anniversary, the highlight of the year was to be a Rededication Ceremony carried out by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross on the 18th of May. Also there was a jewel to be struck to commemorate the celebrations

 

More to follow soon!