The crocuses and daffodils were breaking into bloom as a delegation of North Fylde brethren and companions handed over a cheque for £1,000 to the Rev Canon Martin Keithley, towards the replacement of the pew cushions at the beautiful Parish Church of St Chad, Poulton-le-Fylde.
For many years now, the Freemasons on the Fylde coast have held a Sunday afternoon carol service at the Church of St Chad for themselves, their friends and families, usually at the beginning of December. During the autumn of 2025, the Parish Priest, Rev Canon Martin Keithley decided that the church pews needed all the long bolster cushions replacing as they had worn quite thin over many years.
Chairman of the North Fylde Group John Cross thought that this was an excellent community engagement project for the members of the North Fylde Group to contribute towards; given the close relationship that has evolved over many years between the Church of St Chad and local Freemasons. Within a short time, the lodges and chapters of the North Fylde Group had collected a splendid total of £1,000 towards the replacement pew cushions.
At the presentation, Rev Martin Keithley expressed his thanks to the Masons of the North Fylde Group for their gift of £1,000 towards the cost of new pew cushions at the Church of St Chad. Going on to say that the church is grateful for the generosity and hope that the new cushions will ensure a warm and comfortable welcome for all visitors. The church is sure that the brethren and their families will now enjoy future Masonic carol services even more which the Church of St Chad will be looking forward to hosting once again in December 2026.
