The Chronicles of St. Olaf: The Cake of Gratitude
In the year of our Lord 2024, as the frosty winds of January blew across Cruden Bay, the brethren of Lodge St. Olaf 1188 gathered in high spirits to celebrate their beloved Burns Supper. Though the event had changed in nature over the years—from grand hotel banquets to the humble but heartwarming atmosphere of the Lodge building—it remained one of the year’s most cherished occasions. That year’s supper would be no different, for it would once again be a night of fraternal bonding, fine whisky, and the immortal words of Robert Burns.
But in the aftermath of the revelry, a new tradition would be born—one that would see the brethren of St. Olaf extending their goodwill to the community they held so dear, with a simple yet profound act of kindness: the gifting of a cake.
The Burns Supper: A Night to Remember
As is tradition, the Burns Supper at Lodge St. Olaf began with all the pomp and ceremony one would expect from a group of brethren so dedicated to the craft. The Lodge, repurposed on that evening into a cozy fraternal alehouse, hummed with merriment as the evening unfolded. The smells of haggis, neeps, and tatties filled the air, and the sound of glasses clinking echoed off the Lodge’s ancient walls.
Gordon Mackay, ever the showman, recited “Tam O’Shanter” in his inimitable theatrical style, much to the delight (and occasional confusion) of the audience. The room was filled with laughter, as Gordon’s dramatic pauses and exaggerated gestures brought the legendary tale of the drunken Tam to life in a way that only Gordon could.
Meanwhile, the memory of the late, great Kenny Davidson lingered in the hearts of all present. With every toast to Burns, a moment of reflection on Kenny’s own recitations of the Bard’s works could be felt. It was as if the spirit of the great poet himself hovered over the room, joined by the spirit of their dear departed friend. The night was, as ever, a beautiful mix of reverence, nostalgia, and good humor.
Yet, as the evening wore on and the toasts piled high, there was an undercurrent of something else—a sense of gratitude that went beyond the walls of the Lodge, something that would soon become evident in the most unexpected of ways.
The Presentation of the Cake
The Burns Supper concluded, but the brethren of St. Olaf were far from finished with their good work. In an effort to share their bounty and goodwill with the wider community, the Lodge had arranged a special gesture for the residents of Bay View Care Home in Cruden Bay—a cake. And not just any cake, mind you, but a grand, beautifully decorated creation, fit for the finest celebration.
Andy Phipps (affectionately known as Phypsy) was entrusted with the important task of delivering the cake to the residents of the home. With a gleaming smile on his face and the cake in hand, he made his way to Bay View, the doors of the care home opening to reveal a group of warm and welcoming faces.
There, in the common room, Phypsy was greeted by the residents, all of whom were deeply touched by the thoughtful gesture. With cake in hand, Phypsy set it down before them, and it was immediately clear that the gift was not just a culinary delight but a symbol of the Lodge’s commitment to their community.
One resident, an elderly lady with twinkling eyes, looked up at Phypsy and said, “Is this from the Lodge, son? That’s a fine gesture. I remember when you lads used to have your Burns Suppers in the hotels. Seems you’ve always had a bit of spirit about you!”
Phypsy laughed, accepting the compliment with his usual good-natured charm. “Aye, we’ve always had spirit,” he said, “and we’ll keep the spirit of Burns alive in every way we can.”
A Tradition of Giving
The delivery of the cake became a moment of shared joy for the residents of Bay View. As they savored the cake and shared stories of their own experiences with Burns and the traditions of Cruden Bay, the spirit of Lodge St. Olaf extended beyond the walls of the Lodge building and into the hearts of the wider community. It was a reminder that Freemasonry is not just about rituals and regalia, but about kindness, fellowship, and service to others.
And so, the legend of St. Olaf’s Burns Supper grew, now accompanied by this new tradition of giving back to the community. The cake, though simple in its confection, became a symbol of the Lodge’s enduring commitment to the people of Cruden Bay—a token of thanks for their ongoing support and a reminder that even the smallest gesture can make the world of difference.
The Fellowship Endures
As Phypsy returned to the Lodge that evening, the brethren gathered once again in their fraternal alehouse, now with full bellies and hearts warmed by the sense of having done good. The cake, after all, was only the beginning. The spirit of Lodge St. Olaf had spread beyond the walls of their Temple, into the homes of those who needed it most.
In the coming months, the story of the cake would become another cherished chapter in the history of St. Olaf, and who knows? Perhaps next year, the cake would be just the beginning of even greater acts of kindness. For in the heart of Cruden Bay, there was no end to the good that the brethren of Lodge St. Olaf could do, and no limit to the fellowship they would continue to share.
The End… For Now.