Provincial Grand Lodge Helps Plant Field of Remembrance

For the second year Poppy Scotland has commissioned and planted a Field of Remembrance in Princes Street Garden Edinburgh to commemorate those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country in all wars and conflicts that we have been part of since the First World War.  The field is planted alphabetically by the name of the person who is remembering and honouring a loved one. 
 
This is part of a major fundraising effort by Poppy Scotland that at the same time remembers those who have served.  This year Poppy Scotland received over 15,000 responses and will plant in the region of 12,000 crosses in the Field of Remembrance. 
 
As part of ongoing discussion between Poppy Scotland, the Royal British Legion Scotland and Grand Lodge which have culminated in an invite for the MWGMM to be part of the Nations official wreath laying service at Edinburgh City Chambers on Remembrance Sunday.  The Grand Lodge of Scotland gave the magnificent donation of £6500 to Poppy Scotland and laid a cross in the Field of Remembrance on behalf of every daughter Lodge in Scotland.  Each cross was stamped with the Square and Compasses and the Lodge Number was hand written by a team of volunteers led by Bob Cooper the Curator of the Library and Museum of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. 
 
A team of volunteers from our Provincial Grand Lodge in the persons of the RWPGM Andrew Paterson, SPGM Gordon Michie, Willie Miller RWM of Lodge St Fothad's, David Shearer WJW of Lodge Balgonie, Bro Greig Shearer of Lodge Balgonie and PM Dougie Moonie of Lodge Templehall joined Bob Cooper and his small band of volunteers from the PGL of Edinburgh and on Thursday 1st November we planted the crosses representing our Lodges and other crosses sent in by members of the public.
 
This was a very moving occasion as many crosses had some very emotive messages and many members of the public along with serving members of the Military and NATO forces came up and congratulated all of the volunteers for their hard work.
 
In the years ahead we hope to develop this partnership with Poppy Scotland, the RBLS and Grand Lodge and our Provinces across the country so watch out for more details in early 2013.
 
More information on Poppy Scotland can be found at http://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/

Brethren from Edinburgh and Fife after they had planted the 650 remembrance crosses to represent every home lodge This is part of the larger national field of Remembrance planted by Poppy Scotland who received a significant donation from Grand Lodge

The 650 Grand Lodge crosses!

A serving Officer giving his grateful thanks

Bro Ron Downie PM The Lodge of Kirkcaldie No.72 Replants the 72 Cross

The PGM Bro Andrew Paterson about to plant lodge oak's cross

The Balgonie cross being planted by WJW Bro David Shearer supervised by the PGM