Originally consecrated in January 1930, Ashlar Lodge No 5154 has found a new home with a new group of friendly Masons as a ‘daytime’ lodge in Horwich as part of the Chorley and Leyland Group.
Due to low attendance, the previous members of Ashlar Lodge who met at Blackpool Masonic Hall on Adelaide Street, Blackpool, made the extremely difficult decision to surrender the warrant and close the lodge.
Fortunately for Ashlar, a group of Freemasons from Horwich were in the process of formulating a new ‘daytime’ lodge at Ridgmont House, Horwich and heard of the lodge’s situation. Led by Jim Jackson and Steve Hulse and under the guidance of the Provincial Grand Secretary Peter Taylor, an agreement was reached to transfer the warrant.
News of Ashlar Lodge’s situation was shared following consultations with Provincial Office and meetings with the members from Blackpool and Horwich which proved to be very productive. The name and number of the lodge were retained and something even more special was agreed, the members of Ashlar Lodge in Blackpool were all made honorary members with the exception of two brethren. Those two brethren wished to continue as subscribing members of Ashlar Lodge after the transfer to Ridgmont House, Horwich and were welcomed.
In October the final meeting was held at Blackpool. It was a wonderfully happy and harmonious meeting with almost 60 brethren attending to bid farewell and wish Ashlar Lodge brethren all the best in Horwich. The final meeting was the lodge’s installation at which Jim Jackson was installed as the new WM with the rest of the officers involved in the newly formed lodge appointed and invested in fine fashion.
Just five days later on in October, the inaugural meeting of Ashlar Lodge took place at Ridgmont House with a reading given of a paper in relation to the first degree by Jim Jackson and Steve Hulse, which was well received by all attending.
Representative of the Provincial Grand Master and the Chorley and Leyland Group was none other than Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Lockett. After retiring from the lodge and enjoying a splendid buffet lunch, Peter commented on the excellent delivery of a most interesting and informative presentation.
Peter also wished the lodge well and further commented that this lodge would be ideal for retired brethren and those who did not like traveling in the evening. In addition, it was great to see that a number of the new lodge brethren where from other groups in West Lancashire Province and indeed from the Province of East Lancashire, so exciting times ahead.
During the festive board, £100 was raised for charity from the raffle and completed a splendid morning and afternoon. Ashlar Lodge’s next meeting is planned to be held in February and any brethren interesting in joining or visiting please contact Steve Hulse who is the lodge secretary via hulsestephen49@gmail.com.
