Eastern Star folds

THE Order of the Eastern Star (Culbin Chapter No 235) has been declared dormant, due to the decline of the club.

The Eastern Star wanes and folds

The Chapter, which held a farewell gathering in the Masonic Hall on December 8, has been meeting for more than 70 years in Forres.

Secretary Mary Mackintosh, who has been a member for more than 40 years, said that she was sad to see the organisation close.

“A lot of us have been going for 40 years or more,” she said. “I have been secretary for more than 25 years, which is long enough for anybody, but the problem is that there are no young people coming through to take over. It is all older people.”

She said that the decision to fold was taken after a lot of consideration and discussion, but with falling membership numbers and the age of most of the members, it was a natural conclusion.

“Once upon a time, if your husband was a Mason, then you automatically became a member of the Star,” she said. “That just doesn’t happen now.”

She said that once upon a time there was more than 100 members, with more than two hundred packed into the hall if there was something special on, but numbers have dwindled to about a dozen.

Mrs Mackintosh added that everyone was hopeful it wouldn’t be the end, and others might pick up the baton in the future.

She said all the books, historical records and artefacts of the Star would be held at the Masonic Lodge in Forres, with hopes high that someone might decide to resurrect the group.

She said that, over the years, the club has given £1,000 to local charities every single year.

“It was a big part of my life,” she added. “It used to be my night out. It is a shame.”

The current members posed for a photograph, before signing off.