On a mild and drizzly afternoon, Litherland Masonic Hall opened its doors for the annual Christmas Fayre. The fayre has been taking place for nearly fifty years and was organised by social chairman for the group, Ken Rouse, with proceeds from the fayre going to the group which are then distributed to worthy causes, such as, local food banks and charities.
Many Masons and visitors attended the fayre, from a three-month-old baby to ninety-four-year-old Sidney Brown of Eureka Lodge No 3763. Visitors to the fayre were welcomed by Stephen Oliver and Gary Thornhill who directed the visitor to the many activities, including delicious bacon or sausage barmcakes, sandwiches and cakes together with a steaming hot cup of tea or coffee, cooked and served by Mike, the hall caterer and his excellent team.
In the dining room, the tombola and general stall was run by Barbara Rouse, Ken Rouse and Sarah Gibson. They have been running the stall and tombola for six years. Barbara said that David Simpson, a former member of Eureka Lodge, who had previously run the stall, asked Barbara and Ken to accompany him to Sainsburys one afternoon and he told them that he was retiring from the role and that they looked like ‘ideal mugs’ to take over the stall.
Also in the dining room, former Chairman of the Ormskirk and Bootle Group, Graham Chambers and now vice-chairman for the hall ran his always popular reindeer races. Yvonne Haslam and Sadie Dougan ran the potted plants and chocolate stall, whilst Vicky Tasker ran the games stall. Alec McDonald was in charge of the lucky dip and his wife Joan delighted the many children who attended the fayre, by painting their faces. Graham and Joan Daly organised the fun-time stall, with plenty of games to keep those who attended amused, as well as a dice challenge which ran for the whole of the fayre. Visitors had to throw seven dice and the person who had the highest total score at the end of the fayre won a bottle of gin. Ann Chambers made the children even happier, by running the very popular children’s play room in the small temple.
The ever-popular Santa’s Grotto had been erected the previous evening by Eureka Lodge members, John Lennon, Patrick Donelan, John Boyd and Ian Devine in the Provincial officer’s robing room, complete with a well-decorated Christmas tree and a fireplace. At the fayre, John Lennon made a very convincing Santa, requiring no extra padding! He had three willing ‘elf service’ helpers in Robbie Bright, Patrick Donelan and David Lyon. Santa cheerfully greeted all of the children, who left the grotto clutching a selection pack and with a big smile on their faces.
The fayre being at an end and all of the visitors having left, the volunteers put away the remaining items from their stalls and the grotto was dismantled. The proceeds were then pooled and with total of over a £1000 collected.
