Lodge Cadder Argyle has always been proud of the fact that in recent times it has never had to call on the services of a Past Master to take on the role of Master. On the contrary, a new candidate has been found every year - until now. In fact the last person to hold the office of Master for 2 consecutive years was Brother Hugh Young in the years 1907 and 1908, one hundred and one years ago. The last Master to have gone back onto the Chair after a gap was Brother Andrew Mitchell in 1876, his previous chairmanship being in 1865.

And so it was that on 20th December 2008, Brother Finlay G. Campbell, Past Master, was Installed as Master for a second time, the first occasion being on 15th December 1990.

The need for a Past Master to step in to the role of Master was brought about owing to the fact that the Senior Warden, Brother Robert Speirs, who was expected to move up the final rung of the ladder, had suddenly to step down due to health reasons. The thoughts of all in the Lodge are with Brother Speirs at this time, and we hope he will soon be back amongst us.

As no one else on the ‘ladder’ was willing to take a jump, Brother Campbell, who had previously intimated that he was standing down as secretary to enjoy a well-earned rest, was asked to take on the Master’s duties, which he accepted without hesitation. The saying “A change is as good as a rest” springs to mind.

And so Brother Campbell was Installed into the Chair by Brother John Mackie, Past Master, with the Office-bearers being Installed by Brother James Taylor, Past Master. An excellent ceremony of Installation was performed, made all the more impressive by the fact that Brother Mackie had only been asked to carry out the duties of Installation seven weeks earlier.

The Meeting was attended by 91 Brethren and visiting Brethren representing 27 Lodges. A total of 60 Installed Masters made up the Installing Board. This is a big difference from Brother Campbell’s first Installation in 1990 when 139 were in attendance, with 54 in the Installing Board. Proof if it were ever needed that Lodge attendances are now in decline, and are now being made up more of Past Masters than of ordinary Brethren. (Editor’s note: It could also have something to do with the fact that in the old days, Brother Campbell got out and about more, and made himself known).

And so history was made, and will be repeated next year when Brother Mackie takes the Chair once more, his first endeavour being in December 2004.

With such young ‘old hands’ like Brothers Campbell and Mackie ready and willing to take up the challenge once again, the future of Lodge Cadder Argyle can only go from ‘strength to strength’.