As this West Lancashire lodge approaches its first birthday, it was the idea some months ago, of WM Mike Casey and his wife June to hold a Ladies Night, which would be a social and fundraiser combined to celebrate a superb first year for Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No 6615, as a specialist lodge.
The Garstang Country Hotel was an excellent choice as the venue for this event and the diners enjoyed a quality three course fayre of local produce. The tables were beautifully decorated with red roses being a feature on each table. All ladies were delighted to receive a charming gift of a fragranced candle within a ceramic pot as a special memento of the evening.
With speeches kept to a minimum during the meal, the focus moved towards the raffle and a hope of raising some significant funding for June and Mike’s chosen charity, Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, the charity for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. With raffle tickets all in and the draw being expertly overseen by Andrew McClements and other lodge members, the impressive raffle prizes were efficiently distributed around the function room. The top prize was a day out cruising on Windermere for a party of four. The raffle raised a magnificent sum of £535 and this will be thankfully received by Blue Skies following a proposed future cheque presentation.
Following the raffle and a few words of thanks from the WM, the guests moved into the adjoining social room to be entertained by the stunning vocals of Emma Louise Jackson, whilst her father, Fylde Coast Freemason, Ian Jackson, performed as an excellent DJ throughout the evening. Dancing and singing were enjoyed to the sounds and rhythms of well-known songs from across the last 50 years.
Mike Casey said: “Our new specialist Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire has been formed with enjoyment and participation as two important foundations. It is important that our Masonic social events reach out to and encourage family participation wherever possible. To attract new and younger Freemasons we must continue to arrange events to include those with young families. Tonight has been a joy for June and myself to enjoy a social fundraising event in the company of immediate family and friends, alongside our Masonic brethren, gentlemen and their partners.”
Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire will be holding an Old English Lancashire Night on Wednesday 29 November at Morecambe Masonic Hall, Derby Street, Morecambe, LA4 4BD following a short business meeting which will start at 7:00pm. This is a Gentlemen to Dine Hot Pot Supper event, cost £10.00 per head. For further details about this event, contact the lodge secretary Chris Tittley, email chris.tittley@gmail.con
Report and pictures by John Topping, Lodge Publicity Officer.