Members and guests of Blackpool Lodge No 1476 gathered at the Masonic Hall in Blackpool to celebrate Keith Beardmore’s 50 years in Freemasonry. The principal guest for this celebration was Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Barr.
Once the general business of the lodge had been concluded and, on a report, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Mark Barton announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Barr demanded admission. David processed into the lodge room accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andy Whittle, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, grand officers Thomas Firth Jackson, Geoffrey Lee, Giles Berkley, Robert Clancy, David Edwards, Steve Walls and celebrant Keith Beardmore. Also present were Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly, group secretary Michael Tax and Provincial Grand Tyler Neil Higgins.
WM Darren Clemson welcomed David to Blackpool Lodge offering him the gavel of the lodge which on this occasion retained it. David proceeded to welcome everyone to this special occasion, stating that no matter what organisation or what age you are when you join, very few Freemasons expect to achieve 50 years’ service. But many brethren now are living longer lives, consequently enabling them to reach that goal. Tonight, we have the evergreen Keith Beardmore, at the young age of 77, joining that select band of brothers in the 50s club.
David requested the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Mark Barton, to escort Keith to a seat in front of him. David proceeded to inform everyone that Keith was born in 1948 in Bolton. The youngest of three brothers, the other brothers being Leslie and Kevan. Keith shares his birthday with artist and sculptor Michelangelo, poet Elizabeth Browning and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, amongst others.
Keith’s parents were Leslie and Edna, Leslie being a leading Hoover salesman, winning an all-expenses-paid trip to London for a week. Keith’s grandmother and aunt moved to Blackpool before the war and lived in Bloomfield Road and in 1956, on a day trip to Blackpool, Leslie was informed of a hotel for sale on Bloomfield Road, which he subsequently purchased and owned for 16 years.
Keith was educated in Bolton before moving to Blackpool at the age of eight, attending various schools before attending Courtfield Catering College in Blackpool. Leaving in 1966 with City and Guilds qualifications and joining his parents in the family hotel business. In 1971, Keith’s parents sold the hotel; this change of circumstances led him to return to Courtfield’s as a lecturer, staying for five years lecturing in food preparation.
This being the Merseybeat era, Keith and his brother Kevan, with three others, formed a group, playing venues all over Lancashire. Performing record hits of the day, but especially soul and Motown music. On a night out in the 1970s, Keith met his future wife June; romance and business blossomed, and together they opened two coffee shops in Blackpool, managed by June whilst Keith continued to lecture at Courtfield’s.
June and Keith were married in 1973 and have two children, Alan and Hayley. The ambition of opening a restaurant was realised when a dilapidated Braithwaite Manor house became available. After two years of renovations, Braithwaite Manor Restaurant opened in 1978. In 1993, Keith expanded into the childcare sector, opening an Early Years Childcare Centre at the Manor, which became very successful. At this point, Keith retired from the hospitality business to focus on the childcare centre.
Keith and Kevan also resumed playing music together as a three-piece group for Ladies Evenings and such like. Unfortunately, this ended in 2012 with the sad death of Kevan.
With his father being a member of Blackpool Lodge, Keith was no stranger to Freemasonry, attending Ladies Nights and other social functions. He eventually joined Blackpool Lodge in 1975, holding every progressive office in turn and was duly installed into the chair of King Solomon in 1988. Provincial rank followed and Keith was appointed PPAGDC in 1997, being promoted to PPDepGSuptWks in 2006 and further promoted to the high rank of PPJGW in 2012. Keith was appointed to grand rank in 2017 with the rank of PAGDC. Keith was exalted into Bispham-with-Norbreck Chapter No 4731 in 2005. He became first principal in 2011 and in 2018 he was appointed to PPAGSE in Provincial Grand Chapter.
Keith has always been very active in charitable fundraising, being the lead person in raising £100,000 towards the purchase of a new £240,000 lifeboat at St Annes on the Sea. In 2017, the Barbara Anne lifeboat was dedicated and commissioned at the St Annes Lifeboat Station.
With his music, work in hospitality, childcare and Freemasonry, Keith has had a very busy and interesting life. His service to Freemasonry is an example to us all. As he celebrates his golden jubilee in Freemasonry, we wish him the very best of health and happiness for many years to come. To read David’s full script, click here.
Group chairman Stephen Jelly then read the scroll commemorating the event from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. David Barr concluded the proceedings by extending his warmest personal congratulations to Keith on achieving this wonderful milestone in his Masonic career. Considering it both a privilege and a pleasure to be part of such a happy and enjoyable occasion.
Once Keith had been escorted back to his seat in the lodge room, Stephen Jelly presented Keith with a 50th lapel badge from the Blackpool Group. WM Darren Clemson then resumed his rightful place in the chair of King Solomon and resumed the business of the lodge.
A fine meal of prawn cocktail, roast chicken and profiteroles and the occasional glass of wine kept the brethren occupied whilst listening to the many speeches and reminiscences of Keith’s life, work and Freemasonry.