Church Service 11th May 2008 - The Old High Kirk Kilmarnock
On a lovely May Sunday evening with the smell of new cut grass, birds singing and the cherry blossom falling from the trees the Fratres of Ayrshire and other travelling Knights and members of sister orders made the pilgrimage to The Old High Kirk Kilmarnock.
The District Grand Prior of Ayrshire Peter C Watson and Past District Grand Priors Right Eminent Fratre John Draper P.P.KCT., Right Eminent Fratre Robert Smith P.P. KCT and Commissioned Officers and Fratres of the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire welcomed
The Most Eminent and Reverend Grand Master Kenneth Donald Kennedy. SB StJ, KLJ, FSA, Scot P.P. GCT
Right Eminent Fratre Gavin Wardrobe, P.P. GCT, Grand Treasurer
Right Eminent Fratre John Taylor, District Grand Prior of Dumfries & Galloway
Right Eminent Fratre Alan R H Watson, District Grand Prior of Fife and Kinross
Right Eminent Fratre Paul Bissett, District Grand Prior of Forth Valley
Right Eminent Fratre John McKee, District Grand Prior of Strathclyde
Members representing Sister Orders were Bro W.A.R. Dykes from Provincial Grand Lodge of  Ayrshire; Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ayrshire, Grand Superintendent Most Excellent Companion J R Hodge; Deputy Grand Superintendent Most Excellent Companion Gordon Booth and from the Grand Imperial Council of Scotland, Intendant General D. Edmond.
After all were seated The Rev. William Hall wished all a very warm welcome after which he invited all to worship. The readings were by Ven Preceptor Ian Murray of Moira Union & Ven. Preceptor John Porter of Garnock Vale. Once again we were blessed by the singing voice of Sheila Carswell. In the company of DGP Peter and V Emt Fr John Turner I have attended Church Services the length and breadth of Scotland and Ayrshire is unique in that we are blessed by the attendance of Sheila. I am sure she will have attended more services than many Fraters and long may she continue. At close of service, as the church hall is under repairs, the Fratre’s and families enjoyed an Al Fresco Pilgrims fare so ably laid on by the Ladies of the Guild. DGP Peter closed the evening by presenting gifts of appreciation to Sheila and the Minister and thanking the Ladies of the Guild and all who had travelled from near and far to join in worship with the members of the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire. He wished the Grand Master a safe and successful visit to South Africa and wished all a safe journey home.
V. Emt Fr J HH Edgar P.P. DG Prelate

The MacKean Trophy
Below is an excerpt taken form the Minute Book in 1933
“At the Annual Muster of the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire held in Largs on the 28th Jan 1933 the District Grand Prior V. Emt. Fr.Major Norman M MacKean G.C.T. intimated his intention to present a Trophy for Bowling. It was to be designed by Fr. D. M. Brown, District Grand Treasurer, and would serve a double purpose as the Offertory would be collected therein. Likewise it would always be brought to the Annual Muster. There would no entrance fee and no badges, the purpose being to cement good feeling among the Preceptories”

MacKean Bowling Competition 10th May 2008
Once again on Saturday 10th May the Fratres of the Preceptories of Ayrshire made the annual pilgrimage to Springside Bowling Club to compete in the 75th annual Bowling Competition for the MacKean Trophy and for the right to display the MacKean Trophy in their Preceptory.
After Vice President Bobby Gardiner welcomed the Fraters to Springside and handed the green over to D.G.P. Peter, who replied in suitable manner, our banner was raised and the fun began.
The weather was not too promising with a heavy shower just as the first jacks were being delivered but this did not worry the hardy souls on the green. The Trophy this year was contested by all ten Preceptories and on behalf of DGP Peter and myself I wish to thank all who turned up, but a special thanks to the Fraters who at very short notice stood in to make up some teams.
At the completion of the sections it was from sections A Crosbie and B Garnock Vale to contest the final.
Garnock Vale rink - D Ramsay, G Duncan, G Hood and Skip A Taggart.
Crosbie Rink - R Bone, J Darragh, A Stevens and Skip J Turner.
All eyes this year were on the big money transfer of Fr. David Ramsay from Moira Union as new lead for Garnock Vale and how he would handle the pressure and the rumours from Moira Union Fraters that he was given a free transfer. After four tight ends Garnock Vale were leading and held their nerve to take the final end and become the 2008 MacKean winners. DGP Peter congratulated both rinks on a splendid final and presented the section “A” winners shield to Crosbie, on this the 75th playing of the competition. It was very apt that as a P.P. of Garnock Vale D.G.P. Peter and Venerable Preceptor John Porter were present to present Section B winner’s shield, winner’s pennant (thanks Mrs. C) and Bowling figures along with the MacKean Trophy to Garnock Vale. A big thanks to V. Fr. Alex McAllister for selling the raffle tickets - the star prize being a china bell of whisky kindly donated by V.Fr Jim Dobie which was won by V.Fr George Young of Cunningham. Many thanks to all Preceptories and individuals for the donation of prizes, the sum of £150 being collected for the D.G.Priors Charity Fund. Pilgrims fare, what can one say, excellent meal. DGP Peter brought the day to end by handing the green back to Vice President Bobby and thanking him for the hospitality of Springside. Thanks to all who made it a most enjoyable day, thanks to the ladies and bar staff for excellent service, also thanks toV Emt Fr Jim for his organisation and raffle.
He concluded by wishing everyone a safe journey home.

V Emt Fr J HH Edgar P. P. (Bowling Organiser)

Annual District Quiz Night
On Wednesday 7th May 2008 the Annual District Quiz Night was held within the Social Club of Lodge Irvine St Andrew No. 149
This was also the occasion of the regular Muster of Cunningham Preceptory , a large number of fratres from within the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire took part in a most successful and entertaining evening.
The Quiz Master Ven. Fr. Ray Parker ran the quiz in his own unique way and to the usual high standard which he has run in the past, and to the benefit of all who took part, the evening was a complete success with a substantial sum of money raised for the benefit of the District Charity Fund, the winning team from Catrine and Sorn won the District Quiz Shield for the first time, and were presented with the shield and an individual prize from the District Grand Prior Rt. Em. Fr. Peter C. Watson.
The team with the most unusual name came from Muirkirk who won with the amusing title of “Four dogs with no bone” The District Grand Prior Peter thanked all who had attended and had so sportingly taken part in the quiz, and to all who had helped in their own way and contributed towards the quiz night and made it so successful he then wished all a safe journey home.

Presentation of 40 Year Diploma
At the regular muster of Ayr Preceptory the District Grand Prior Rt Em Fr Peter C. Watson presented Em Fr. Graham Calder with his forty year diploma. Em Fr Graham had served as an officer and also as secretary for Ayr Preceptory for many years, he also had been a District Elective Officer for some twenty five years before retiring as District Grand Almoner, the District Grand Prior said that Em Fr. Graham was an inspiration to all of the fratres present and to all fratres within the District, he said it was a great personal honour to present this diploma to Graham who is such an esteemed and well loved Frater of the Order. Em Fr Graham thanked the District Grand Prior and the fratres of Ayr with some well chosen words.

New Grand Constable 
Rt. Em. Fr. James R. Hodge P.P. KCT., Imm. Past District Grand Prior of Ayrshire received his commission as Grand Constable from the Most. Em. & Rev. Grand Master Kenneth D. Kennedy P.P. GCT.
This is the first time in some seventy years that a Frater from Ayrshire has been commissioned by the Grand Master, and we would wish Rt. Em. Fr James the sincere congratulations of the District Grand Priory of Ayrshire and hopes that he has great pleasure during his commission as Grand Constable

Grand Officers Installed
On Tuesday 11th March 2008 at the Muster of Great Priory three Fratres from Ayrshire were installed as Grand officers they were as follows V. Em. Fr. James H. H. Edgar as Grand Sword Bearer; V. Em. Fr. John M. Turner as Assistant Grand Secretary; and V. Em. Fr. David Park as Deputy Grand Steward, we would extend to all of these fratres our best wishes for a successful term in office as Grand Officers

Officers Promoted
At the muster of Great Priory on Tuesday 11h March 2008 Ven Fr. David Burton (Ayr) and Ven Fr Robert Wilson (Hurl ford) received Grand Honours from the Grand Master and were promoted to Hon. Grand Herald’s of the Great Priory of Scotland

Em. Fr. Samuel Houston awarded the Grand Masters Award 2008
Em Fr. Samuel Houston was awarded the Grand Masters Award for 2008 at the Annual Muster of Great Priory on Tuesday 11th March Em Fr. Samuel thanked the Grand Master for this great honour to him he said that he would cherish this award for the rest of his life.
History: Joined Preceptory of Moira Union – 1964 ; Affiliated to Hurlford Preceptory – 1972 ; Preceptor of Hurlford 1978 -1980 ; Awarded Grand Honours , Honorary Grand Prelate – 1996 ; Loudon Castle Petitioner -2000 ; Preceptor of Loudoun Castle 2002 – 2004 ; District Grand Treasurer 1979 till present ( 29 Years )
Holder of Grand Masters Award 2008.

Appointment of Grand Masters Honour Guard
The following Fraters from Ayrshire were appointed to Grand Masters Honour Guard at the muster of Great Priory on Tuesday 11th March 2008 they were as follows Ven. Fr. Ross Campbell P.P. (Captain of the Guard) with Ven Fr Reid Allan P.P. and Ven Fr. David Murray P.P. as members of the Guard.