Southport is blessed with a particularly beautiful Masonic Hall. Externally it can be seen that the architecture is elegant and sophisticated, with aesthetically pleasing pillars guarding the porch and stained-glass windows lighting up the night.
The inside is, if anything, even more beautiful, and this is in part to the work of Alan Cornes and his team, who specialise in finding Masonic artifacts and putting them on display. This has resulted in a hall which celebrates Freemasonry on every wall. Indeed, a student of history can lose many hours in looking through the display cases, admiring the craftsmanship and connecting it to esoteric meaning or the long history of fraternity in the region.
Occasionally during their research, Alan and his team come across an item from another region and at the recent installation of Craig Clifford as master of Starkie Lodge No 1070, a special presentation was made. An old and beautiful key had been discovered in Southport that had come from the Bolton area.
In the spirit of honesty and fraternity, contact had been made with the Bolton Group and two brothers came down to enjoy the installation and take the item back home. Robert Collins and David Hawkins from Anchor and Hope Lodge No 37 were made very welcome by Starkie Lodge brethren and reciprocated in kind. They explained that the key came from a small number of Masons who were involved in the expansion of Bolton Masonic Hall which was opened in 1928. In meaning, it was therefore similar to when individuals are given the freedom of the city through use of a symbolic key.
This particular item was not given to a member of Anchor and Hope Lodge, but the Royal Arch chapter, Concord Deane Chapter No.37, and the brothers would be pleased to see it return to Bolton. The item was therefore not just beautiful, but of historic importance. It is somewhat fitting that it was Alan, being so involved in Southport Hall, was the one to return it. Many thanks were returned to Alan, also proudly the Membership Officer of Starkie Lodge, and the occasion was celebrated in high spirits.
Alan and his team now continue their exceptional work, adding to the beauty of not just Southport Masonic Hall, but others as well.