Rules of engagement & capture...

1. The "Open Season" is from September 1st. until the following March 31st.

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 MUST be decided in such manner as the "Holding Lodge" may consider to be an appropriate "Tie Breaker" method on the evening (for example the toss of a coin).

6. On the capture of the Trowel the successful Lodge should immediately notify either R.W.P.G.M. or W.P.G Secretary and The Masonic Messenger so that the location of the Trowel can be recorded for the information of the other Lodges entertaining an attempt on its capture. Information as to the whereabouts and movements of the Trowel will be available on the "Masonic Messenger Post", by email from W. P. Secretary by email and by intimation by PGL Office Bearers when present at meetings.

7. If the Trowel is not claimed after two meetings the PGL retains the right to move the Trowel on to another Lodge in order to promote its movement and capture.

8. The KITTY will travel with the Trowel and the Master of the "Holding Lodge" will bear the responsibility for the safe custody of the KITTY whilst in its possession.

9. The Lodge noted as having the most "Captures" of the Trowel by 31st March shall be designated the winner of the Trowel and has the right to determine any Charities or Good Causes (whether Masonic or non-Masonic) to which the total sum of the KITTY will be donated. The donation of the KITTY must be made to the nominated charities or good causes as soon as practicable after the AGM of the PGL of Aberdeenshire East in June each year.

10. It is considered the normal practice of the PGL of Aberdeenshire East to make such a contribution to the Trowel Kitty as to match the amount raised by Lodges to boost the final total and to motivate the Brethren to capture the trowel. However, if the Kitty is "Substantial" e.g. in excess of £300.00, the PGL may be permitted to limit the amount they contribute to the total raised by Lodges.

11. The Travelling Trowel is intended to promote good-hearted rivalry and visitations among the 14 Lodges of the Province and, in addition raise substantial monies as donations to appropriate charities. The capture of the Trowel must therefore be warmly and wholeheartedly recommended as an excellent fund raising activity within the Province of ABERDEENSHIRE EAST.