Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East
Grand Lodge of Scotland

THE TRAVELLING TROWEL

Rules of engagement & capture...

1. The "Open Season" is from September 1st. until the following April 30th.

2. The TROWEL can only be "captured" by Daughter Lodges in the Province of Aberdeenshire East.

3. To "Capture The Trowel" a visiting Lodge must take a Deputation of at least 4 members (honorary members excluded) into any Regular or Special meeting of the Lodge holding the trowel. The visiting Lodge can only count its members actually forming the Deputation which enters the Lodge holding the trowel. Members of the visiting Lodge sitting in the holding Lodge before the Deputation enters, and latecomers after the Deputation enters do not count.

4. Each member of the visiting Deputation must contribute at least £2.00 to the Travelling Trowel Kitty BEFORE the Trowel can be claimed by the visiting Lodge. The Brother heading the Deputation must claim the Trowel before the close of the meeting of the Lodge being visited.

5. In the event of two or more Visiting Deputations, each with the required amount of qualified brethren, visiting the holding Lodge. The Lodge with the largest Deputation shall have 1st. claim on the Trowel. This subject to payment made into the Kitty. If there are two or more Lodges each with the same size of Deputation then each Deputation will be required to contribute to the Kitty and thereafter the Lodge entitled to capture the Trowel will be decided in such manner as the holding Lodge "Tie Breaker" may determine on the evening.

6. On the capture of the Trowel the successful Lodge should immediately notify either R.W.P.G.M. Bro. Alfred Davidson on 01779 477163 or W.P.G.Secretary Bro. Graham Black on 01779 838042 so that the location of the Trowel can be recorded for the information of the Lodges interested in attempting its capture.

7. The KITTY will travel with the Trowel and the Master of the holding Lodge will be responsible for safe custody of the KITTY.

8. The Lodge holding the Trowel at April 30th. shall determine the Charity whether Masonic or non-Masonic to which the total sum of the KITTY is to be donated. The Donating of the KITTY to be made over to the single nominated charity as soon as practicable after April 30th.

9. The Travelling Trowel is intended to promote good-hearted rivalry and visitations among the 14 Lodges of the Province and as a bonus raise substantial donations to charities. The capture of the Trowel is therefore warmly recommended as a friendly, cheerful and fraternal donation raising activity within the Province of ABERDEENSHIRE EAST.