Over 80 ladies, gentlemen, children and brethren gathered at The Palace Masonic Hall in St Annes-On-Sea to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of Ansdell Lodge No 3607, part of the South Fylde Group. In other words, it was a 112th birthday party with an afternoon tea.
In March 1912 at a committee meeting of Lodge of Triumph No 1061, it was proposed to support the formation of a new lodge. On 19 June 1912 in the presence of Robert Wylie, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the new Ansdell Lodge, was consecrated in the Ansdell Institute. There were 28 founders and 47 visitors in attendance.
Since then, there has been a 50th anniversary celebration, a banner raising at the 75th anniversary celebration and in the presence of Howard Jones, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master the centenary celebration when 140 brethren were present. Following the centenary celebration, the lodge has held birthday Sunday lunches until the pandemic struck.
This year, Jon Boriss, the lodge charity steward, suggested that Ansdell Lodge hold an Afternoon Tea to celebrate its 112th birthday. The Palace Caterer, Lee Munro, produced a mouth-watering, scrumptious tea, which was devoured by all. Ben Gorry, the South Fylde Group Chairman and a member of the Lodge of Triumph, Ansdell Lodge’s mother lodge, proposed a toast to the continued good health of the Ansdell Lodge. John Robbie Porter responded and informed the gathering of a few highlights in the lodge’s history, for example, raising 65 guineas in 1915 to provide a motorised ambulance for the conflict overseas.
The visitors were very impressed with the fare, with Juan Topping of Foxhall Lodge No 7484 expressing his family’s delight at the wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and excellent value for money. Leon Teale, who is a member of Ansdell Lodge and an active member of the South Fylde Group’s Strategic Publicity Team, was there with his family and enthused over the quality and quantity of food on offer. He predicted that there would be plenty left over for doggy bags at the end. The cakes, however, didn’t make it, as his son voraciously devoured all the leftover sweets on their table. Leon also enthused on the wonderful family atmosphere and the very engaging talks given on the Ansdell Lodge history.
A raffle raised a magnificent sum of £850 in support of Jon Boriss’ charity, Blackpool Carers Centre. This year Jon is undertaking the 320 miles, 5 countries cycle challenge from Scotland through Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales and England, followed by the Great North Run all in support of Blackpool Carers Centre.
