The traditional January entertainment for many lodges is the Burns Night, where the haggis is slaughtered, kilts are twirled and cabers are tossed. But brethren of Peace and Unity Lodge No 3966 are somewhat different, preferring to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year starts on Saturday 24 February 2024 and continues for 15 days. 2024 is the year of the dragon which is a symbol of strength, courage and good fortune. This is the longest Chinese holiday of the year and it is traditionally spent with family and friends. Children receive lucky money in red envelopes which is believed to help transfer good fortune from the elders to the next generation. The celebrations of the Chinese New Year end with a lantern festival.
After a brief business meeting, conducted by the WM Gerard Maxwell, the brethren of Peace and Unity Lodge gathered in the Blackpool Masonic Hall bar along with their family, friends and guests for a few drinks before dining in the Fylde Suite to enjoy a Chinese themed festive board. The tables were decorated by the ladies of the lodge with lanterns, good luck coins and other Chinese elements celebrating the year of the dragon. The Chinese themed festive board banquet was fit for the Chinese Emperor himself and was supplied and cooked to perfection by the caterers at Blackpool Masonic Hall, Shaun and his team at Masonic Catering Ltd.
Starters arrived comprising of prawn toast, wonton dumplings, spring rolls and seaweed, served with sweet chilli sauce and a soy dip. Once all that had been devoured, the main courses arrived, crispy beef in a black bean sauce, chicken katsu curry and Chinese vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce, all accompanied by egg fried rice, traditional chips and salt and pepper chips. A welcome respite came with the sweet, a refreshing Chinese style fruit salad.
The brethren and guests were entertained with a Chinese themed quiz and a raffle which raised much needed funds for local charities. A fun and entertaining evening was had by all participants.
