On the last Saturday evening in September, Saturnian Chapter No 7563, a member of the North Fylde Group, held its first ladies’ night for many years at the well-renowned Blackpool North Shore Golf Club.
At their planning meeting, the members of Saturnian Chapter decided they needed to be different in order to attract new members. During 2025, the chapter had enjoyed a session of Archway at one of its regular meetings and this inspired first principal Shaun Haynes to consider how Royal Arch membership can be enhanced within the chapter, alongside ensuring that opportunities for positive media reports in the local Blackpool Evening Gazette newspaper and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Provincial website are not missed. Working closely with the chapter’s visiting officer John Topping, Saturnian Chapter has been successful in generating successful coverage throughout the year. Ahead of the ladies’ night, the committee and members were active in passing invitations to brethren who were thinking about the Royal Arch and completing this important stage in their Masonic journey.
First principal Shaun Haynes and his wife Marie welcomed all the members of the chapter, along with members of other chapters and the potential new companions. Everyone was looking forward to a thoroughly stellar occasion for Saturnian Chapter.
After a sumptuous meal that was enjoyed by all, Shaun Haynes serenaded the guests as he presented all of the ladies with a rose, before toasting the health of the ladies and delivering a rendition of the ladies’ song to all, but especially to his wife and principal guest Marie.
Shaun presented the wives of the three principals with a bouquet of flowers as a token of his esteem and gratitude. Then it was over to Marie to respond on behalf of the ladies. Marie thanked the organising committee for all their hard work, praising the staff of North Shore Golf Club for the beautiful cuisine and commending her husband for his musical contributions. With the formalities out of the way, it was on to singing and dancing to the entertainment provided by professional singer Lauren Elizabeth.
A raffle was held that contributed £95 to the chapter’s charity fund. Everyone retired after the event in a happy and positive mood, with everyone looking forward to the next social event of Saturnian Chapter.
This ladies’ night was truly an evening of enjoyment, where ‘ad astra’, ‘to the stars’ was practised and felt by all the chapter members who are working so hard to take the membership of Saturnian Chapter to a new and exciting level.
Report and pictures by Shaun Haynes.