LEWIS LIVINGSTONE FOTHERINGHAM ( M.B., Ch.B. )
( R.W.M. 1928 - 1929

A skilful leech is better far
Than half a hundred men of war.
(“ Hudibras ” –– Samuel Butler)

 



Bro. L. L. Fotheringham was born in Skelmorlie in 1895. Following his father, Bro.D.H. Fotheringham, he entered the medical profession, qualifying in 1917 at Glasgow. He was immediately seconded for work on Destroyers and Mine Sweepers and served continuously until the cessation of hostilities.

     Bro. Fotheringham, whose Mother Lodge is St. Kentigern, No.976, was installed into the chair of Lodge Riddrie by P.M. Bro. James Purves and I.P.M. Bro. James Fraser on 28th November, 1928.

     Seventeen meetings were held during the year, at which 14 brethren were received in to the Lodge.

     Provincial Grand Lodge visitation on 13th February, 1929, was headed by Bro. J Marr Grant, S.P.G.M., who congratulated the Lodge on their continued progress and wished Bro. Fotheringham every success during his year in office.

     Visitations were recived into the Lodge from Mother Kilwinning, No.0, when the ceremony of the Mark was undertaken by Bro. William Lawrie, Sub. Master assisted by office-bearers of the Mother Lodge; and from Lodge St. Kentigern, No.976, headed by the Master Bro. Coates, who, with office-bearers, worked the second degree. A return visit was paid to St. Kentigern, when Bro. Fotheringham took over the chair in his Mother Lodge. On that occasion a First Degree was worked by Bro. Robert Shields.

     The question of a permanent home for the Lodge was still excersing the minds of the brethren, and a committee of three, Bros. James Fraser, G.S. Dick and A.M. Walsh, were delegated to interview a member of the Thaw Trust regarding ground for a temple and to report to the Finance Committee.
    

     So far, little has been said regarding the sporting activities of the brethren, but this must now be rectified, as a great honour was brought to the Lodge by Treasurer Bro. James Gray and Bro. Charles Law, who won the Captain Speirs Golf Trophy in a pairs competition open to all the brethren of the Province of Glasgow. A smoking concert was held in the Mascot Cafe, to which Bros. Gray and Law were invited as guests, and at which they were congratulated on their gallant victory. Later they were given a great ovation in the Lodge, when they presented the brethren with a framed photograph of themselves taken with the trophy.

     A golf outing to Millport was held in September. A goodly number of brethren enjoyed a very pleasant day on the Cumbrae Course, and Bro. David Galloway, who does not golf, occupied his time trying to get enough fish out of the reservoir to enable the golfers to partake of a fish tea. Bro. Galloway's success may be gauged by the fact that tea consisted solely of ham and eggs.

     As the social side of the Lodge was developing an Entertainments Committee was formed, with Bro. A.M. Welsh as convener, to run all Lodge functions and to try and raise funds for Lodge purposes. Various concerts and whist drives were arranged and during the following few years a series of theatre supper nights took place, at which the following artistes gave their service gratuitously for our entertainment; Edwin Lawrence, Harry Tate, Jun., Tommy Lorne, Tommy Toms, Jean Kennedy, Herbert Langley, George Zalva, Kimberley and Page, and Layton and Johnston. These functions were a first house at the Pavilion-under the management of Bro. William "Jock" Kirkpatrick-followed by a supper at the Ca'dora, where the genial Mr. Appe looked after our comfort. The evening was brought to a close by a concert, at which amateur and professional artistes gave great satisfaction to our patrons.